Anthony Cruz (born March 9, 1972), better known by his stage name AZ, is an American rapper. Best known for his affiliation with hometown native and fellow East Coast rapper Nas, they formed the New York City-based hip hop group the Firm along with Foxy Brown, Cormega and Nature in 1996. Cruz first saw recognition for his guest appearance on Nas' 1994 single "Life's a Bitch", from his album Illmatic (1994). Cruz was then signed by EMI to release his debut studio album, Doe or Die (1995), which was met with critical acclaim. Its lead single, "Sugar Hill" (featuring Miss Jones) peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Moreover, The Firm's sole album (1997) peaked atop the Billboard 200 chart despite unfavorable critical response; the group disbanded two years later.[1]
AZ | |
|---|---|
 AZ in 1998 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Anthony Cruz |
| Also known as |
|
| Born | March 9, 1972 Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Discography | AZ discography |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Labels | |
| Formerly of | The Firm |
Upon EMI's dissolution, he was transferred to its sister labels, Noo Trybe Records and Virgin Records, through which he released his second album, Pieces of a Man (1998) to continued acclaim. Afterward, Cruz signed with Motown and Universal Records to release his third and fourth albums, 9 Lives (2001) and Aziatic (2002).[2] The latter contained the song "The Essence" (featuring Nas), which earned a nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards.[2]
Online magazine About.com listed AZ as the "Most Underrated [Rapper] of All Time".[3] AZ also made it onto the site's "Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007)", where he was reiterated as "arguably the most underrated lyricist ever".
Early life
editAZ was born in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn[4] to an African-American mother and an Afro-Dominican father. He grew up in East New York, Brooklyn, with his mother and sister.[4][5]
AZ started writing rap lyrics when he was 12 years old.[5] He attended Eli Whitney High School, with fellow Brooklyn rapper Jay-Z, until the vocational school closed down in the late 1980s.[6] In the early 1990s, he became friends with Nas, a young rapper from Queens.[4] Nas started working on his debut album Illmatic and invited AZ to work with him in the 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 AZ a record deal.[4]
Career
edit1995–2001: Doe or Die, Pieces of a Man and 9 Lives
edit
AZ's debut album Doe or Die was released by EMI Records on October 10, 1995. It 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, peaking at #15 on the Billboard 200, and #1 on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.[citation needed] 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", "Gimme Yours", "Doe or Die" and "Sugar Hill", the last of which became his highest-charting single domestically and his sole Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, being certified Gold by the RIAA in September 1995.[7]
In 1998, Pieces of a Man, AZ's second album, was released via Noo Trybe Records.[citation needed] His third album, 2001's 9 Lives, was released via Motown, peaking at #23 on the Billboard 200 and #4 on the Top Hip Hop / R&B Albums.[citation needed] The leading single, "Problems", with its accompanying music video, reached #34 on the Hot Rap Singles.[citation needed]
2002–2007: Aziatic, A.W.O.L. and The Format
editAZ's fourth album Aziatic features a duet between AZ and long-time friend and collaborator, Nas, "The Essence", which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.[8] 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."[citation needed]
On September 6, 2005, A.W.O.L., his fifth album, was released, becoming the first AZ album to be released on his own imprint, Quiet Money Records.[citation needed]
AZ's sixth studio album The Format features production from Lil' Fame of M.O.P., Face Defeat, Emile, J. Cardim, Phonte, Statik Selektah and DJ Premier.[citation needed] The album's lead single is its title track "The Format", which was 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.[citation needed] On October 7, 2007, Quiet Money released The Format (Special Edition), adding six bonus tracks including "Royal Salute".[citation needed]
2008–present: Undeniable, Legendary and Doe or Die II
editUndeniable, his seventh studio album, 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 a sequel to his debut 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.[9] The first single from the album "Feel My Pain" was produced by Frank Dukes.[10]
In 2010, former member of Da Beatminerz, Baby Paul confirmed he would be producing for the album and serving as executive producer.[11] 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 could join the production team. He was also seeking production from DJ Premier.[12] During a 2011 interview with XXLMag, AZ confirmed that Nas would be featured on the album.[13]
On March 27, 2012, AZ released the first street single from Doe or Die 2, "My Niggas", which features production from longtime collaborator Buckwild.[14] 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.[15]
In 2014, AZ was heavily featured on Ghostface Killah's album 36 Seasons.[16]
After several delays, Doe or Die II was released on September 10, 2021.[17]
Discography
edit- Studio Albums
- Doe or Die (1995)
- Pieces of a Man (1998)
- 9 Lives (2001)
- Aziatic (2002)
- A.W.O.L. (2005)
- The Format (2006)
- Undeniable (2008)
- Legendary (2009)
- Doe or Die II (2021)
- Truth Be Told (2023)
- Collaboration Albums
- The Firm: The Album (1997)
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Nomination | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group | "The Essence" (with Nas) | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ "Foxy Brown is majorly dissed on a major release". EW.com.
- ^ a b allmusic Biography
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d Anthony Cruz: Jewels, Gems & Treasures. Quiet Money Publishing, 2015.
- ^ a b #20YrsLtr: Doe or Die (2016)
- ^ "Rapper AZ Says He Battled Jay-Z In High School". June 14, 2013.
- ^ "AZ's 'Doe or Die' Turns 20: Brooklyn Rapper Looks Back on Its History & Impact". Billboard. October 10, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
- ^ "2003 Grammy Award Nominees Announced". Archived from the original on October 20, 2012.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Preview – AZ-Feel_My_Pain_(Prod_Frank_Dukes)-.mp3". LimeLinx. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Ghostface Killah "36 Seasons" Release Date, Tracklist, Production Credits & Album Stream". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
- ^ "Doe or Die II by AZ". September 10, 2021.
