AZ

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AZ Anthony Cruz (born March 9, 1972 in Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York), better known as AZ, is an American rapper currently residing in Englewood, New Jersey. He is mainly known for his association with Nas, his membership in the supergroup The Firm, and his many successful solo albums.

Biography:
AZ was born Anthony Cruz to an African-American mother and a Dominican father. AZ first came to prominence by appearing on Nas’ landmark album Illmatic on the song “

Life’s a Bitch” (1994)—he was the only guest emcee to appear on that album. After a bidding war, AZ signed with EMI, and soon released Doe Or Die (1995) to more critical acclaim than commercial sales. The album’s lead single, “Sugar Hill”, became AZ’s only major commercial success as a solo artist, reaching the top 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and achieving Gold status. AZ’s EMI contract was transferred to sister label Noo Trybe Records/Virgin Records when the EMI Label Group was shut down.

In 1997, he and Nas appeared in an Sprite commercial.

AZ’s fanbase grew considerably after he joined The Firm, a supergroup comprised of AZ, Nas, Foxy Brown, and Nature, with Dr. Dre and The Trackmasters producing. The Firm’s only album, The Album, was regarded as critically disappointing. Pieces of a Man, AZ’s second solo release, didn’t sell well. Independently, AZ released S.O.S.A. to little fanfare in 2000. Soon, however, AZ signed with Motown/Universal Records and released 9 Lives.

Tagged as:

hip-hop, rap, hip hop, new york, east coast rap
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The Format (Special Edition)
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Doe Or Die
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Aziatic
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Top Tracks

1	The Format full track	1,494
2	Sugar Hill full track	1,376
3	Uncut Raw full track	876
4	Rather Unique full track	846
5	I Am The Truth full track	777
6	Ho Happy Jackie full track	709
7	Get High full track	637
8	Intro full track	583
9	I Feel For You full track	536
10	Doe Or Die full track	535
11	Make Me full track	357
12	Animal full track	356
13	Gimme Your's full track	339
14	This is What I Do full track	328
15	Your World Don't Stop full track	324

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TheEntity_ wrote:
yesterday morning

Live your life >>>>>

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e-mune wrote:
Tuesday morning

ok what the fuck is going on? where did all these plays come from over night?

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betoonking wrote:
last week

Doe or Die is beyond great.

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yanghanqing wrote:
18 days ago

perpect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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SevenTongues wrote:
26 days ago

Brilliant.

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uh_oh_jlm wrote:
last month

I like AZ better than Nas....yeah I said it

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kicky6 wrote:
last month

i cant get enough of doe or die (rather unique specifically)

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RippedtGhraphiX wrote:
last month

AZ the Real... Nas Is the greatest MC ever But AZ ripped him to shred's on Illmatic's - Life's A Bitch.. Love you homie.. [NO DOUBT!!!]

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mch1c wrote:
last month

Naw man, his production isn't very consistent. Like I said a few of his tracks have some of my favorite beats. It's just he doesn't keep it going throughout the whole album. I did see he was talking to RZA about some tracks for DOD2, so if he gets those tracks from RZA, some from Premier, etc. he would be better off.

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thority wrote:
last month

He has a few tracks with some of my favorite beats, but for the most part he needs better production. Some of his production sucks. AZ is definitely one of the best and probably the most underrated, some of that could be because the production for the most part. [3] unfortunately, lyrically he's there with the greatests

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dgk3188 wrote:
last month

AZ the Visualiza! Allah-Zig-Zag-Zig

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booshpower wrote:
last month

He has a few tracks with some of my favorite beats, but for the most part he needs better production. Some of his production sucks. AZ is definitely one of the best and probably the most underrated, some of that could be because the production for the most part. [2]

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Officialswitch wrote:
last month

AZ the king!

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theoryjean wrote:
last month

his voice sortof sounds like big L

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andychea wrote:
last month

I am Legend is a prime example of why kno one buys cd's anymore! why would you want to pay for average half assed material like that

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andychea wrote:
last month

not feelin' the production on I am legend at all...

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axel_fiedler wrote:
September 2009

on last.fm he's definitly not underrated ;-)

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DLoCo1 wrote:
September 2009

AZ is the beSt i luv his music :)

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mch1c wrote:
September 2009

He has a few tracks with some of my favorite beats, but for the most part he needs better production. Some of his production sucks. AZ is definitely one of the best and probably the most underrated, some of that could be because the production for the most part.

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bakesmusic wrote:
September 2009

AZ - Animal is so real.

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