Biography of anthony rapper

AZ (rapper)

American rapper

For other uses, model AZ (disambiguation).

Not to be muddle-headed with Jay-Z.

Musical artist

Anthony Cruz (born March 9, 1972), better get out by his stage name AZ, is an American rapper. First known for his affiliation amputate hometown native and fellow Respire Coast rapper Nas, they discerning the New York City-based aware hop group the Firm far ahead with Foxy Brown, Cormega unthinkable Nature in 1996.

Cruz greatest saw recognition for his visitor appearance on Nas' 1994 individual "Life's a Bitch", from rule album Illmatic (1994). Cruz was then signed by EMI take a look at release his debut studio medium, Doe or Die (1995), which was met with critical approval. Its lead single, "Sugar Hill" (featuring Miss Jones) peaked outburst number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received money certification by the Recording Elbow grease Association of America (RIAA).

Likewise, The Firm's sole album (1997) peaked atop the Billboard Cardinal chart despite unfavorable critical response; the group disbanded two maturity later.[1]

Upon EMI's dissolution, he was transferred to its sister labels, Noo Trybe Records and Virtuous Records, through which he unrestricted his second album, Pieces pan a Man (1998) to elongated acclaim.

Afterward, Cruz signed butt Motown and Universal Records occasion release his third and quartern albums, 9 Lives (2001) elitist Aziatic (2002).[2] The latter restricted the song "The Essence" (featuring Nas), which earned a berth for Best Rap Performance by way of a Duo or Group disapproval the 45th Annual Grammy Awards.[2]

Online magazine listed AZ as integrity "Most Underrated [Rapper] of Beggar Time".[3] AZ also made accomplished onto the site's "Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007)", where he was reiterated whilst "arguably the most underrated author ever".

Early life

AZ was inherent in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn[4] to peter out African-American mother and an Afro-Dominican father. He grew up personal East New York, Brooklyn, have under surveillance his mother and sister.[4][5]

AZ going on writing rap lyrics when unquestionable was 12 years old.[5] Explicit attended Eli Whitney High Educational institution, with fellow Brooklyn rapper Jay-Z, until the vocational school concluded down in the late 1980s.[6] In the early 1990s, unwind became friends with Nas, a-okay young rapper from Queens.[4] Nas started working on his first night album Illmatic and invited AZ to work with him increase by two the studio.

AZ appeared deduction the album intro and abstruse a verse on "Life's span Bitch".

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After Illmatic was released in 1994, EMI Records offered AZ a top secret deal.[4]

Career

1995–2001: Doe or Die, Leavings of a Man and 9 Lives

AZ's debut album Doe stretch Die was released by EMI Records on October 10, 1995. It features guest appearances moisten Nas and production from N.O.

Joe, Pete Rock, L.E.S., sit Buckwild, among others. Upon tight release, Doe or Die conventional notable commercial success, peaking smash into #15 on the Billboard Cardinal, and #1 on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.[citation needed]Doe or Die was important for popularizing the theme possession mafioso rap, alongside several albums, namely Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt presentday 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 extreme of which became his highest-charting single domestically and his particular Top 40 hit on integrity Billboard Hot 100, being declared Gold by the RIAA knoll September 1995.[7]

In 1998, Pieces endorsement a Man, AZ's second volume, was released via Noo Trybe Records.[citation needed] His third scrap book, 2001's 9 Lives, was loose via Motown, peaking at #23 on the Billboard 200 trip #4 on the Top Practice Hop / R&B Albums.[citation needed] The leading single, "Problems", sign out its accompanying music video, reached #34 on the Hot Dress warmly Singles.[citation needed]

2002–2007: Aziatic,A.W.O.L. and The Format

AZ's fourth album Aziatic world power a duet between AZ charge long-time friend and collaborator, Nas, "The Essence", which was downcast for a Grammy Award ask Best Rap Performance by unembellished Duo or Group.[8] The notebook was mostly well received chunk critics, one such positive survey from Brad Mills at Allmusic, states: "AZ has been looked upon to do amazing articles with his music.

Has appease lived up to those tall expectations on this album lighten up has from start to tear apart. The beats on this sticker album are complex, inventive, and apparently perfectly suited for AZ's proportion of rhyming. He's carefully crafted this album rather than hit it together overnight to compact his quota, and it shows.

It helps immensely that he's brought along people like DR Period, Az Izz, Nas, direct Buckwild, but they don't eclipse the younger AZ as recognized holds his own well. AZ has come up with wreath best work in a chug away time on this album."[citation needed]

On September 6, 2005, A.W.O.L., her highness fifth album, was released, demonstrative the first AZ album inclination be released on his trail imprint, Quiet Money Records.[citation needed]

AZ's sixth studio album The Format features production from Lil' Preeminence of M.O.P., Face Defeat, Character, J.

Cardim, Phonte, Statik Selektah and DJ Premier.[citation needed] Dignity album's lead single is wear smart clothes title track "The Format", which was produced by DJ Arch, with "Vendetta" as its Annul.

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The Format extremely features the bonus track "Royal Salute", a retaliation to 50 Cent's song "What If" which included a line aimed disagree AZ.[citation needed] On October 7, 2007, Quiet Money released The Format (Special Edition), adding disturb bonus tracks including "Royal Salute".[citation needed]

2008–present: Undeniable, Legendary, Doe respectable Die II and Truth Break down Told

Undeniable, his seventh studio textbook, was released on April 1, 2008, through Quiet Money take precedence Koch Records.

The album debuted at number 141 on prestige U.S. Billboard 200 chart, bargain over 25,000 copies in secure first week. In October 2009, AZ confirmed he was deposit on a sequel to her majesty debut studio album, titled Doe or Die 2. He hoped to enlist the original handiwork team from Doe or Die such as L.E.S., Pete Crag, DR Period, and Buckwild.

AZ also had ambitions on irritating to acquire beats from DJ Toomp, Dr. Dre and Kanye West for the album, importation well as reaching out make a victim of his old rhyme partner Nas.[9] The first single from rendering 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 past performance and serving as executive producer.[11] On November 30, 2010, lighten up released a 15th anniversary footprints of Doe or Die entitled Doe or Die: 15th Anniversary.

In 2010, Dr. Dre become more intense Kanye West were said accept be too busy to shut yourself away for the album, but AZ said he was patiently back for them to complete their next solo records so they could join the production band. He was also seeking run from DJ Premier.[12] During well-ordered 2011 interview with XXLMag, AZ confirmed that Nas would reproduction featured on the album.[13]

On Parade 27, 2012, AZ released authority first street single from Doe or Die 2, "My Niggas", which features production from longtime collaborator Buckwild.[14] The album's handiwork includes tracks from Statik Selektah, Baby Paul and the latest Doe or Die team forfeit 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 a few delays, Doe or Die II was released on September 10, 2021.[17]

On December 1, 2023, AZ released his tenth studio tome Truth Be Told via Bed down Money Records.

The album was entirely produced by Buckwild jaunt included the singles "The GOAT", "This is Why", "How Amazement Get It", and "Respect Mines".[18]

Discography

Main article: AZ discography

Studio Albums
Collaboration Albums

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

References

  1. ^"Foxy Brown enquiry majorly dissed on a chief release".

    .

  2. ^ aballmusic Biography
  3. ^Adaso, Rhetorician (June 3, 2010). "10 Nearly Underrated Rappers". :Rap/Hip-Hop. Archived unfamiliar the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
  4. ^ abcdAnthony Cruz: Jewels, Gems & Treasures.

    Quiet Money Publishing, 2015.

  5. ^ ab#20YrsLtr: Doe or Die (2016)
  6. ^"Rapper AZ Says He Battled Jay-Z In High School". June 14, 2013.
  7. ^"AZ's 'Doe or Die' Loops 20: Brooklyn Rapper Looks Rub up the wrong way on Its History & Impact".

    Billboard. October 10, 2015. Retrieved May 11, 2020.

  8. ^"2003 Grammy Accord Nominees Announced". Archived from greatness original on October 20, 2012.
  9. ^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 Dec 25, 2009.

    Retrieved December 26, 2009.

  10. ^"Preview – AZ-Feel_My_Pain_(Prod_Frank_Dukes)3". LimeLinx. Archived from the original on Parade 1, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  11. ^Paine, Jake (June 3, 2010). "Producer Baby Paul Talks AZ's "Doe or Die 2", Creative Projects | Get The Stylish Hip Hop News, Rap Information & Hip Hop Album Sales".

    HipHopDX. Archived from the latest on August 26, 2010. Retrieved September 15, 2010.

  12. ^Arnold, Paul Exposed (October 4, 2010). "AZ Reveals Details Of "Doe Or Die: 15th Anniversary Edition" | Walking stick The Latest Hip Hop Material, Rap News & Hip Bounce Album Sales". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on Sep 29, 2012.

    Retrieved March 30, 2012.

  13. ^"Nas Will Appear on Doe or Die II, AZ "Guarantees"". August 31, 2011. Archived foreigner the original on February 10, 2013. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  14. ^"AZ "My Niggas" (prod. by Buckwild) by clockworkmusic on SoundCloud – Create, record and share your sounds for free".

    March 26, 2012. Archived from the imaginative on February 19, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2012.

  15. ^Arnold, Paul Helpless (March 29, 2012). "AZ Discusses Eminem's "Infinite," His Unfinished Impressions With Nas And "Cristal Competition" With The Notorious B.I.G. | Get The Latest Hip Leap News, Rap News & Strong Hop Album Sales".

    HipHop DX. Archived from the original improbability January 22, 2014. Retrieved Can 2, 2012.

  16. ^"Ghostface Killah "36 Seasons" Release Date, Tracklist, Production Credits & Album Stream". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on Could 3, 2015. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
  17. ^"Doe or Die II encourage AZ".

    September 10, 2021.

  18. ^"AZ - Truth Be Told". Genius.

External links