Born in Brooklyn as Anthony Cruz, AZ first came to the greater rap community’s attention in a big way after his stellar performance on NAS’s "Life’s A Bitch" in 1994.
Given AZ’s simularity to Nas and the overwhelming response to Nas’s Illmatic album, it was just a matter of time before AZ would score a record deal, a feat he accomplished in 1995.
The resulting debut album "Doe or Die", shook the New York hip-hop scene as Nas’s ’Illmatic’ and Mobb Deep’s ’Infamous’ had done shortly before it.
Like those albums, Doe or Die revealed in the street life -hustling for cash, peddling drugs, violent encounters, mandatory boastings, struggling daily just to maintain - but took a literate and thoughtful approach to the often exploitative gangsta motifs.
Furthermore, like Nas, Az had Pete Rock crafting the beats, which won the young rapper instant credibility among the hip-hop community.
Foxy Brown, Eminem, DMX, Jay-Z, Kool G Rap, early Mobb Deep, Nas, BIG, Beanie Siegel, LL Cool J, Rakim, & Run-D.M.C., but most importantly, innovation.
going to Europe for tour?..Nice man...good luck and be safe...but when are you coming up to Buffalo, Ny tho?...and start a states tour?..that shit would be poppin fo sho
I believe if the radio continues to play music that doesn't represent the essence of Hip Hop, then the true Hip Hop music WILL be completely forgotten and ignored.
Watz up juss showin your page some love. We have a new song on the page
called Cutie Pie. Check it out when you get the chance. Keep doing ur
thing.
-Almighty Renegades
whats good A i wanna kno what made u put out tha g.o.d album n how long have u been workin on it also when is your official album comin out get at me!!!!!!
What Up Sosa! Been An AZ Fan Since Day One!!! Keep Up The Good Work My "G" All Da Freestyles, Albums, Mixtapes, Etc... Dubs Y.A. "El Mayimbe" CERTIFIED!
Online Now!
