AZ (rapper)

Anthony Cruz (born March 9, 1972), better known by his stage name AZ, is an American rapper from East New York, Brooklyn, New York. He is known for being a longtime and frequent music partner of East Coast rapper Nas and also a member of hip hop group The Firm alongside Nas, Foxy Brown, Cormega and Nature. In a countdown of the 10 Most Underappreciated Rappers—Most Underrated Rappers of All Time, the editors of About.com listed AZ as #1 on the list.[1] He was also included on About.com's list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007), where he was described as "arguably the most underrated lyricist ever."

AZ
AZ in New York, 1998.
Background information
Birth nameAnthony Cruz
Also known asAZ The Visualiza, Sosa
Born (1972-03-09) March 9, 1972
Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York, USA
OriginEast New York, Brooklyn, New York, USA
GenresEast Coast hip hop, mafioso rap
Occupation(s)Rapper
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1992 - present
LabelsQuiet Money
Associated actsThe Firm, Nature

AZ first became known by appearing on Nas's landmark 1994 album Illmatic on the song "Life's A Bitch", as well as featuring vocals on the opening track "The Genesis". AZ signed with EMI, and soon released his debut album Doe or Die in 1995 to critical acclaim. The album's lead single "Sugar Hill" became AZ's major commercial success as a solo artist, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and achieving Gold status. AZ's EMI contract was transferred to sister label Noo Trybe Records and Virgin Records when the EMI Label Group was shut down.

In 1997 AZ joined the group The Firm with Nas, Nature and Foxy Brown and released their only album as a group The Album. In 1998 AZ released his second solo album, Pieces of a Man. The album fared well but did not chart quite as well as his debut and did not feature a crossover single like "Sugar Hill".

After this album's release, AZ signed with Motown and Universal Records and released 9 Lives.[2] In 2002 he released Aziatic. A single from the album, "The Essence," (featuring Nas) was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.[2]

Early life

AZ was born in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn[3]to an African-American mother and Dominican father. He grew up in East New York, Brooklyn with his mother and sister.[3][4]

AZ started writing rap lyrics when he was 12 years old.[4] In the early 1990s he became friends with Nas a young rapper from Queens.[3] Nas started working with his debut album Illmatic and invited Cruz to work with him in a studio. AZ appeared on the album intro and had a verse on "Life's a Bitch". After Illmatic was released in 1994 EMI Records offered Cruz a record deal.[3]

Career

1995–2001: Doe Or Die, Pieces Of A Man and 9 Lives

Doe Or Die was released October 10, 1995 on EMI Records. The album features guest appearances by Nas and production from N.O. Joe, Pete Rock, L.E.S., and Buckwild, among others. Upon its release, Doe or Die received notable commercial success. The album peaked at #15 on the Billboard 200, and #1 on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. Doe or Die was known for popularizing the theme of mafioso rap, alongside several albums, namely Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt and Nas's It Was Written. Doe or Die produced several singles, including "Mo Money, Mo Murder, Mo Homicide", "Gimme Your's (remix)", "Doe or Die" and "Sugar Hill" - which was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1995.[5]

Pieces Of A Man, AZ's second album was released on EMI. 9 Lives, his third album, peaked at #23 on the Billboard 200 and #4 on the Top Hip Hop / R&B Albums. The leading single, "Problems", with its accompanying music video, reached #34 on the Hot Rap Singles. After the release of the album, AZ left the label.

2002–07: Aziatic, A.W.O.L. and The Format

Aziatic features a duet between AZ and long-time friend and collaborator, Nas, "The Essence", which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group.[6] The album was mostly well received by critics, one such positive review from Brad Mills at Allmusic, states: "AZ has been looked upon to do amazing things with his music. Has he lived up to those high expectations on this album he has from start to finish. The beats on this album are complex, inventive, and almost perfectly suited for AZ's style of rhyming. He's carefully crafted this album rather than slapped it together overnight to meet his quota, and it shows. It helps immensely that he's brought along people like DR Period, Az Izz, Nas, and Buckwild, but they don't outshine the younger AZ as he holds his own well. AZ has come up with his best work in a long time on this album."

A.W.O.L. (album) was released on September 6, 2005. A.W.O.L. is the first AZ album which was released on his own Quiet Money Records imprint.

The Format album features production from Lil' Fame of M.O.P., Face Defeat, Emile, J. Cardim, Phonte, Statik Selektah and DJ Premier. The album's lead single is its title track "The Format" produced by DJ Premier, with "Vendetta" as its B-Side. The Format also features the bonus track "Royal Salute" a retaliation to 50 Cent's song "What If" which included a line aimed at AZ. On October 7, 2007, Quiet Money released The Format (Special Edition) adding six bonus tracks including "Royal Salute."

2008–present: Undeniable, Legendary and Doe Or Die 2

Undeniable was released on April 1, 2008 through Quiet Money and Koch Records. The album debuted at number 141 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling over 25,000 copies in its first week. In October 2009, AZ confirmed he was working on his ninth studio album, titled Doe Or Die 2. He hoped to enlist the original production team from Doe or Die such as L.E.S., Pete Rock, DR Period, and Buckwild. AZ also had ambitions on trying to acquire beats from DJ Toomp, Dr. Dre and Kanye West for the album, as well as reaching out to his old rhyme partner Nas.[7] The first single from the album "Feel My Pain" was produced by Frank Dukes.[8]

In 2010 former member of Da Beatminerz Baby Paul confirmed he would be producing for the album and serving as executive producer.[9] On November 30, 2010, he released a 15th anniversary edition of Doe or Die titled Doe or Die: 15th Anniversary. In 2010 Dr. Dre and Kanye West were said to be too busy to produce for the album, but AZ said he was patiently waiting for them to complete their next solo records so they can join the production team. He was also seeking production from DJ Premier.[10] During a 2011 interview with XXLMag, AZ confirmed that Nas would be featured on the album.[11]

On March 27, 2012 AZ released the first street single from Doe Or Die 2 "My Niggas" which features production from longtime collaborator, Buckwild.[12] The album's production includes tracks from Statik Selektah, Baby Paul and the original Doe or Die team of beatsmiths L.E.S., DR Period, Pete Rock, and Buckwild.[13]

AZ was heavily featured on Ghostface Killah's 2014 album 36 Seasons.[14]

Discography
Main article: AZ discography
Studio albums
Collaboration albums

References
  1. Adaso, Henry (June 3, 2010). "10 Most Underrated Rappers". About.com:Rap/Hip-Hop. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
  2. allmusic Biography
  3. Anthony Cruz: Jewels, Gems & Treasures. Quiet Money Publishing, 2015.
  4. #20YrsLtr: Doe or Die (2016)
  5. "AZ's 'Doe or Die' Turns 20: Brooklyn Rapper Looks Back on Its History & Impact". Billboard. 2015-10-10. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  6. "2003 Grammy Award Nominees Announced". Archived from the original on October 20, 2012.
  7. Arnold, Paul W (December 22, 2009). "AZ Wants Dr. Dre, Kanye West And Nas For Doe Or Die 2". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on December 25, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2009.
  8. "Preview - AZ-Feel_My_Pain_(Prod_Frank_Dukes)-.mp3". LimeLinx. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  9. Paine, Jake (June 3, 2010). "Producer Baby Paul Talks AZ's "Doe or Die 2", New Projects | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on August 26, 2010. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  10. Arnold, Paul W (October 4, 2010). "AZ Reveals Details Of "Doe Or Die: 15th Anniversary Edition" | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  11. "Nas Will Appear on Doe or Die II, AZ "Guarantees"". Xxlmag.Com. August 31, 2011. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  12. "AZ "My Niggas" (prod. by Buckwild) by clockworkmusic on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free". Soundcloud.com. March 26, 2012. Archived from the original on February 19, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  13. Arnold, Paul W (March 29, 2012). "AZ Discusses Eminem's "Infinite," His Unfinished Tracks With Nas And "Cristal Competition" With The Notorious B.I.G. | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on January 22, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  14. http://hiphopdx.com, HipHopDX -. "Ghostface Killah "36 Seasons" Release Date, Tracklist, Production Credits & Album Stream". Archived from the original on 3 May 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
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