AZ (rapper)
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| AZ | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Anthony Cruz |
| Origin | East New York, Brooklyn, New York |
| Genre(s) | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | MC, Rapper |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Label(s) | EMI, Virgin, Motown, Koch, Real Talk Ent. |
| Associated acts | Nas, The Firm, Cormega, Wu-Tang Clan |
| Website | myspace.com/azofficialmyspace |
Anthony Cruz, better known as AZ,[1] is an American rapper. AZ is best known for being a long time rhyme partner of Nas and being a member of hip-hop super group The Firm alongside Nas and Foxy Brown. AZ is known for his multi-syllabic rhyming pattern and deep content based on Five Percenter theologies.
AZ first came to prominence by appearing on Nas' landmark album Illmatic on the song "Life's a Bitch" (1994)—he was the only guest emcee to appear on that album. After a bidding war, AZ signed with EMI, and soon released Doe Or Die (1995) to more critical acclaim than commercial sales. The album's lead single, "Sugar Hill", became AZ's only major commercial success as a solo artist, reaching the top 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and achieving Gold status. AZ's EMI contract was transferred to sister label Noo Trybe Records/Virgin Records when the EMI Label Group was shut down. In 1997, he and Nas appeared in a Sprite commercial. AZ signed with Motown/Universal Records and released 9 Lives.[1] In 2002, he released Aziatic. A single from the album, "The Essence," was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. [1]
In 2004 AZ was going to release "Final Call". It got pushed back multiple times and heavily leaked until it was scrapped. Instead, A.W.O.L. was released in late 2005. Final Call was finally released on November 11, 2008.[1]
In 2009, AZ released two albums, G.O.D. (Gold, Oil & Diamonds) on May 19th, 2009 through Siccness.net, and Legendary on June 2nd, 2009 through Real Talk Ent..
Contents |
[edit] 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)
- G.O.D. (Gold, Oil & Diamonds) (2009)
- Legendary (2009)
[edit] Other albums
- The Firm: The Album (1997)
- S.O.S.A. (Save Our Streets AZ) (2000)
- Decade 1994–2004 (2004)
- The Memphis Sessions: The Remix-Tape (2007)
- Niggaz 4 Life (2008)
- Final Call (The Lost Tapes) (2008)
[edit] Appearances
- 1992: "Understanding" Nas Pre-Illmatic Demo Tape
- 1994: "The Genesis", "Life's A Bitch" Nas Illmatic
- 1995: "Wake Up Show Anthem" With Big L, Chino XL, Doug E. Fresh & Masta Ace Sway & King Tech Wake Up Show 2
- 1996: "A+Z" A+ The Latch-Key Child
- 1996: "When The Cheering Stops" With Zhané, Ray Buchanan & Scott Galbraith (from NFL Jams (Import))
- 1996: "Lady [DJ Premiere Remix]" D'Angelo Lady 12"
- 1996: "Album Intro", "Affirmative Action" With Foxy Brown & Cormega Nas It Was Written
- 1996: "La Familia" Foxy Brown I'll Be 12"
- 1996: "I Miss U [Come Back Home Remix]" Monifah Moods... Moments LP/ Miss U 12"/You 12"
- 1996: "Something About You [Darkchild Remix]" New Edition single
- 1998: "Head Over Heels [Trackmaster's Remix]" Allure Head Over Heels 12"
- 1998: "Rock Me [JD Remix]" V.A. Caught Up OST
- 1998: "Promises" With LaTocha Scott Of Xscape & Ray Buchanan (from NFL Jams (Intersound))
- 1999: "Let's Live" With Animal The Union Hard Labor
- 1999: "24/7 [Remix]" Kevon Edmonds 24/7 12"
- 1999: "Thug Connection" With Kool G Rap Papoose Alphabetical Slaughter 12"
- 2000: "Takin' Ova Da Streets" The Bleach Brothers Takin' Ova Da Streets 12"
- 2000: "Groove On [Remix]" Half-A-Mil Groove On 12"
- 2000: "Quiet Money" Half-A-Mil Million
- 2000: "Quiet Money [Blood Money]" With Animal & Half-A-Mil The Union Organized Rhymes
- 2000: "It's War" DJ Skribble Traffic Jams
- 2001: "Layaway" Jon B. Pleasures U Like
- 2001: "The Flyest" Nas Stillmatic
- 2002: "Holla Back" With Nawz & Tito Kool G Rap The Giancana Story
- 2002: "Keep On Lovin' You [Remix]" Dave Hollister Keep On Lovin' You 12"
- 2004: "Redemption" Cormega Legal Hustle
- 2006: "Professional Style" The Alchemist Chemistry Files
- 2006: "The Hardest Pt. I" Styles P The Ghost Sessions - Mixtape
- 2007: "No Holding Back" With Cormega Statik Selektah Spell My Name Right: The Album
- 2007: "Who Am I?" with Cormega & Nature Cormega Who Am I?: The Soundtrack
- 2008: "Too Real" Foxy Brown Brooklyn's Don Diva
- 2008: "It's So Hard" with Ali Vegas, Styles P & Danny McClane
- 2008: "Road To Success" ASN
- 2008: "On The Road" ASN With Keisha Shontelle & Fuc That
- 2009: "Harbormasters" with Ghostface Killah & Inspectah Deck Chamber Music
- 2009: "D.O.A." (Death of Autotune) [Remix]" Jay-Z The Blueprint³
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d allmusic Biography
