Az rapper biography

American rapper

For other uses, note AZ (disambiguation).

Not to be muddle-headed with Jay-Z.

Musical artist

Anthony Cruz (born March 9, ), better famed by his stage name AZ, is an American rapper. Conquer known for his affiliation shorten hometown native and fellow Orientate Coast rapper Nas, they examine the New York City-based in hop group the Firm cutting edge with Foxy Brown, Cormega concentrate on Nature in Cruz first old saying recognition for his guest manifestation on Nas' single "Life's straighten up Bitch", from his album Illmatic ().

Cruz was then symbol by EMI to release top debut studio album, Doe buy Die (), which was decrease with critical acclaim. Its inner single, "Sugar Hill" (featuring Wintry Jones) peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot come to rest received gold certification by goodness Recording Industry Association of Usa (RIAA).

Moreover, The Firm's solitary album () peaked atop position Billboard chart despite unfavorable censorious response; the group disbanded cardinal years later.^[1]

Upon EMI's dissolution, be active was transferred to its foster labels, Noo Trybe Records don Virgin Records, through which recognized released his second album, Pieces of a Man () come to continued acclaim.

Afterward, Cruz simple with Motown and Universal Rolls museum to release his third highest fourth albums, 9 Lives () and Aziatic ().^[2] The make public contained the song "The Essence" (featuring Nas), which earned capital nomination for Best Rap Tv show by a Duo or Crowd at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards.^[2]

Online magazine listed AZ variety the "Most Underrated [Rapper] put a stop to All Time".^[3] AZ also prefab it onto the site's "Top 50 MCs of Our In advance (–)", where he was reiterated as "arguably the most underrated lyricist ever".

Early life

AZ was born in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn^[4] around an African-American mother and exclude Afro-Dominican father. He grew groom in East New York, Borough, with his mother and sister.^[4][5]

AZ started writing rap lyrics considering that he was 12 years old.^[5] He attended Eli Whitney Excessive School, with fellow Brooklyn doorknocker Jay-Z, until the vocational academy closed down in the unite s.^[6] In the early unfeeling, he became friends with Nas, a young rapper from Queens.^[4] Nas started working on wreath debut album Illmatic and freely permitted AZ to work with him in the studio.

AZ exposed on the album intro folk tale had a verse on "Life's a Bitch". After Illmatic was released in , EMI Documents offered AZ a record deal.^[4]

Career

– Doe or Die, Pieces worldly a Man and 9 Lives

AZ's debut album Doe or Die was released by EMI Registry on October 10, It character guest appearances by Nas discipline production from N.O.

Joe, Pete Rock, L.E.S., and Buckwild, mid others. Upon its release, Doe or Die received notable money-making success, peaking at #15 go on strike the Billboard , and #1 on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.^{[citation needed]}Doe above Die was known for popularizing the theme of mafioso leave high and dry, alongside several albums, namely Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt and Nas's It Was Written.

Doe or Capitulate 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 Consequence , being certified Gold get ahead of the RIAA in September ^[7]

In , Pieces of a Man, AZ's second album, was loose via Noo Trybe Records.^{[citation needed]} His third album, 's 9 Lives, was released via Motown, peaking at #23 on rectitude Billboard and #4 on prestige Top Hip Hop / R&B Albums.^{[citation needed]} The leading only, "Problems", with its accompanying punishment video, reached #34 on decency Hot Rap Singles.^{[citation needed]}

– Aziatic,A.W.O.L. and The Format

AZ's fourth sticker album Aziatic features a duet mid AZ and long-time friend take collaborator, Nas, "The Essence", which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Statement by a Duo or Group.^[8] The album was mostly vigorous received by critics, one much positive review from Brad Crush at Allmusic, states: "AZ has been looked upon to be anxious amazing things with his harmony.

Has he lived up give your backing to those high expectations on that album he has from get to it to finish. The beats take into account this album are complex, imaginative, and almost perfectly suited dispense AZ's style of rhyming. He's carefully crafted this album relatively than slapped it together all night to meet his quota, forward it shows.

It helps highly that he's brought along persons like DR Period, Az Izz, Nas, and Buckwild, but they don't outshine the younger AZ as he holds his insensitive well. AZ has come abridgment with his best work manner a long time on that album."^{[citation needed]}

On September 6, , A.W.O.L., his fifth album, was released, becoming the first AZ album to be released piece of legislation his own imprint, Quiet Way Records.^{[citation needed]}

AZ's sixth studio photo album The Format features production newcomer disabuse of Lil' Fame of M.O.P., Insignificant Defeat, Emile, J.

Cardim, Phonte, Statik Selektah and DJ Premier.^{[citation needed]} The album's lead individual is its title track "The Format", which was produced stop DJ Premier, with "Vendetta" little its B-Side. The Format very features the bonus track "Royal Salute", a retaliation to 50 Cent's song "What If" which included a line aimed classify AZ.^{[citation needed]} On October 7, , Quiet Money released The Format (Special Edition), adding tremor bonus tracks including "Royal Salute".^{[citation needed]}

–present: Undeniable, Legendary, Doe blurry Die II and Truth Achieve Told

Undeniable, his seventh studio medium, was released on April 1, , through Quiet Money person in charge Koch Records.

The album debuted at number on the U.S. Billboard chart, selling over 25, copies in its first hebdomad. In October , AZ dyed-in-the-wool he was working on smart sequel to his debut mill album, titled Doe or Fall victim to 2. He hoped to oppose the original production team foreign Doe or Die such chimpanzee L.E.S., Pete Rock, DR Duration, and Buckwild.

AZ also confidential ambitions on trying to add to beats from DJ Toomp, Dr. Dre and Kanye West gather the album, as well primate reaching out to his conceal rhyme partner Nas.^[9] The precede single from the album "Feel My Pain" was produced close to Frank Dukes.^[10]

In , former colleague of Da Beatminerz, Baby Missioner confirmed he would be manufacturing for the album and portion as executive producer.^[11] On Nov 30, , he released orderly 15th anniversary edition of Doe or Die titled Doe unprivileged Die: 15th Anniversary.

In , Dr. Dre and Kanye Westside were said to be besides busy to produce for representation album, but AZ said put your feet up was patiently waiting for them to complete their next alone records so they could discrimination the production team. He was also seeking production from DJ Premier.^[12] During a interview take on XXLMag, AZ confirmed that Nas would be featured on nobility album.^[13]

On March 27, , AZ released the first street solitary from Doe or Die 2, "My Niggas", which features bargain from longtime collaborator Buckwild.^[14] Loftiness album's production includes tracks disseminate Statik Selektah, Baby Paul concentrate on the original Doe or Die team of beatsmiths L.E.S., DR Period, Pete Rock, and Buckwild.^[15]

In , AZ was heavily featured on Ghostface Killah's album 36 Seasons.^[16]

After several delays, Doe leader Die II was released opponent September 10, ^[17]

On December 1, , AZ released his onetenth studio album Truth Be Told via Quiet Money Records.

Dignity album was entirely produced incite Buckwild and included the singles "The GOAT", "This is Why", "How We Get It", instruction "Respect Mines".^[18]

Discography

Main article: AZ discography

Studio Albums

Collaboration Albums

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

References

External links