- Album list
- Singer Intro
Anthony Cruz (born March 9, 1972), better known by his stage name AZ, is an American rapper born in Brooklyn, NY. He is known for being a longtime and frequent rhyme partner of 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. 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 in Hamburg, Germany in 1997
AZ first became known by appearing on Nas' 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/Virgin Records when the EMI Label Group was shut down.
In 1997, AZ and Nas appeared in a Sprite commercial. Also in 1997 the group The Firm with AZ, Nas, Nature, and Foxy Brown released their only album as a group, The Album. The album featured production from well known producers such as Dr. Dre and the Trackmasters and generated much hype. The group disbanded after just this one 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'. The same year AZ made a cameo appearance in the movie Belly starring Nas, DMX, and Method Man.
After this album's release, AZ signed with Motown/Universal Records and released 9 Lives. 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. In 2004 AZ was planning on releasing his would-be 4th studio album, Final Call, however, it was eventually scrapped due to heavy leaking and released as Final Call (The Lost Tapes) in 2008. He released his 5th and 6th studio albums A.W.O.L. and The Format in 2005 and 2006, respectively.
In 2015, AZ self-published and released a Book titled Jewels, Gems & Treasures. The release got the proper respect and sales that lead AZ to prep on shooting a mini movie based on the book to be released late 2017. Also in 2016 AZ teamed up with B.E.T. to release his 20 year anniversary Documentary narrated by Rakim; which included Nas, Raekwon, Foxy Brown, Pete Rock, Premier and others.
In the first quarter of 2017 AZ is looking to release his final album Doe or Die 2, to follow up with his first release of Doe or Die.
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