:AZ (rapper)

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = AZ

| image = Az-03.jpg

| caption = AZ in 1998

| birth_name = Anthony Cruz

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|03|09}}

| alias = {{hlist|AZ the Visualiza|Sosa|The Rap James Bond}}

| birth_place = Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.

| origin =

| discography = AZ discography

| genre = {{hlist|East Coast hip hop|mafioso rap}}

| occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|songwriter}}

| years_active = 1992–present

| label = {{hlist|Quiet Money|Real Talk|Koch|Noo Trybe|Virgin|EMI}}

| past_member_of = The Firm

}}

Anthony Cruz (born March 9, 1972), better known by his stage name AZ, is an American rapper. Best known for his affiliation with hometown native and fellow East Coast rapper Nas, they formed the New York City-based hip hop group the Firm along with Foxy Brown, Cormega and Nature in 1996. Cruz first saw recognition for his guest appearance on Nas' 1994 single "Life's a Bitch", from his album Illmatic (1994). Cruz was then signed by EMI to release his debut studio album, Doe or Die (1995), which was met with critical acclaim. Its lead single, "Sugar Hill" (featuring Miss Jones) peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Moreover, The Firm's sole album (1997) peaked atop the Billboard 200 chart despite unfavorable critical response; the group disbanded two years later.{{Cite web|url=https://ew.com/article/1999/10/07/foxy-brown-majorly-dissed-major-release/|title=Foxy Brown is majorly dissed on a major release|website=EW.com}}

Upon EMI's dissolution, he was transferred to its sister labels, Noo Trybe Records and Virgin Records, through which he released his second album, Pieces of a Man (1998) to continued acclaim. Afterward, Cruz signed with Motown and Universal Records to release his third and fourth albums, 9 Lives (2001) and Aziatic (2002).[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p14943/biography|pure_url=yes}} allmusic Biography] The latter contained the song "The Essence" (featuring Nas), which earned a nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards.

Online magazine About.com listed AZ as the "Most Underrated [Rapper] of All Time".{{cite web|last=Adaso |first=Henry |url=http://rap.about.com/od/artist1/ss/UnderratedMCs_10.htm |title=10 Most Underrated Rappers |publisher=About.com:Rap/Hip-Hop |date=June 3, 2010 |access-date=October 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413090949/http://rap.about.com/od/artist1/ss/UnderratedMCs_10.htm |archive-date=April 13, 2014 }} AZ also made it onto the site's "Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007)", where he was reiterated as "arguably the most underrated lyricist ever".

Early life

AZ was born in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn to an African-American mother and an Afro-Dominican father. He grew up in East New York, Brooklyn, with his mother and sister.#20YrsLtr: Doe or Die (2016)

AZ started writing rap lyrics when he was 12 years old. He attended Eli Whitney High School, with fellow Brooklyn rapper Jay-Z, until the vocational school closed down in the late 1980s.{{cite web|url=https://kollegekidd.com/news/rapper-az-says-he-battled-jay-z-in-high-school/|title=Rapper AZ Says He Battled Jay-Z In High School|date=June 14, 2013}}

In the early 1990s, he became friends with Nas, a young rapper from Queens.Anthony Cruz: Jewels, Gems & Treasures. Quiet Money Publishing, 2015. Nas started working on his debut album Illmatic and invited AZ to work with him in the studio. AZ appeared on the album intro and had a verse on "Life's a Bitch". After Illmatic was released in 1994, EMI Records offered AZ a record deal.

Career

= 1995–2001: ''Doe or Die, Pieces of a Man'' and ''9 Lives'' =

File:Az-06.jpg

AZ's debut album Doe or Die was released by EMI Records on October 10, 1995. It features guest appearances by Nas and production from N.O. Joe, Pete Rock, L.E.S., and Buckwild, among others. Upon its release, Doe or Die received notable commercial success, peaking at #15 on the Billboard 200, and #1 on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}} Doe or Die was known for popularizing the theme of mafioso rap, alongside several albums, namely Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt and 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 last of which became his highest-charting single domestically and his sole Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, being certified Gold by the RIAA in September 1995.{{Cite magazine|title=AZ's 'Doe or Die' Turns 20: Brooklyn Rapper Looks Back on Its History & Impact|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6722887/az-doe-or-die-anniversary-classic-album-interview|date=October 10, 2015|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 11, 2020}}

In 1998, Pieces of a Man, AZ's second album, was released via Noo Trybe Records.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}} His third album, 2001's 9 Lives, was released via Motown, peaking at #23 on the Billboard 200 and #4 on the Top Hip Hop / R&B Albums.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}} The leading single, "Problems", with its accompanying music video, reached #34 on the Hot Rap Singles.{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}

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

AZ's fourth album Aziatic features a duet between AZ and long-time friend and collaborator, Nas, "The Essence", which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywood.com/content/news_detail.aspx?id=1703700&p=4|title=2003 Grammy Award Nominees Announced|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020075432/http://www.hollywood.com/content/news_detail.aspx?id=1703700&p=4|archive-date=October 20, 2012}} The album was mostly well received by critics, one such positive review from Brad Mills at Allmusic, states:

"AZ has been looked upon to do amazing things with his music. Has he lived up to those high expectations on this album he has from start to finish. The beats on this album are complex, inventive, and almost perfectly suited for AZ's style of rhyming. He's carefully crafted this album rather than slapped it together overnight to meet his quota, and it shows. It helps immensely that he's brought along people like DR Period, Az Izz, Nas, and Buckwild, but they don't outshine the younger AZ as he holds his own well. AZ has come up with his best work in a long time on this album."[https://www.allmusic.com/album/aziatic-mw0000220162]

On September 6, 2005, A.W.O.L., his fifth album, was released, becoming the first AZ album to be released on his own imprint, Quiet Money Records.{{Citation |title=A.W.O.L. - AZ {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/awol-mw0000655753 |access-date=2025-04-22 |language=en}}

AZ's sixth studio album The Format features production from Lil' Fame of M.O.P., Face Defeat, Emile, J. Cardim, Phonte, Statik Selektah and DJ Premier.[https://allhiphop.com/reviews-music/the-format/] The album's lead single is its title track "The Format", which was produced by DJ Premier, with "Vendetta" as its B-Side. The Format also features the bonus track "Royal Salute", a retaliation to 50 Cent's song "What If" which included a line aimed at AZ. On October 7, 2007, Quiet Money released The Format (Special Edition), adding six bonus tracks including "Royal Salute".

= 2008–present: ''Undeniable, Legendary'', ''Doe or Die II'' and ''Truth Be Told'' =

Undeniable, his seventh studio album, was released on April 1, 2008, through Quiet Money and Koch Records. The album debuted at number 141 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling over 25,000 copies in its first week. In October 2009, AZ confirmed he was working on a sequel to his debut studio album, titled Doe or Die 2. He hoped to enlist the original production team from Doe or Die such as L.E.S., Pete Rock, DR Period, and Buckwild. AZ also had ambitions on trying to acquire beats from DJ Toomp, Dr. Dre and Kanye West for the album, as well as reaching out to his old rhyme partner Nas.{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10323/title.az-wants-dr-dre-kanye-west-and-nas-for-doe-or-die-2|title=AZ Wants Dr. Dre, Kanye West And Nas For Doe Or Die 2|last=Arnold|first=Paul W|date=December 22, 2009|publisher=HipHopDX|access-date=December 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091225103419/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.10323/title.az-wants-dr-dre-kanye-west-and-nas-for-doe-or-die-2|archive-date=December 25, 2009|url-status=dead}} The first single from the album "Feel My Pain" was produced by Frank Dukes.{{cite web|url=http://limelinx.com/files/b96ba295f9a05e205cea2df3008e1392 |title=Preview – AZ-Feel_My_Pain_(Prod_Frank_Dukes)-.mp3 |publisher=LimeLinx |access-date=September 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301084222/http://limelinx.com/files/b96ba295f9a05e205cea2df3008e1392|archive-date=March 1, 2012}}

In 2010, former member of Da Beatminerz, Baby Paul confirmed he would be producing for the album and serving as executive producer.{{cite web |last=Paine |first=Jake |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11386/title.producer-baby-paul-talks-azs-doe-or-die-2-new-projects |title=Producer Baby Paul Talks AZ's "Doe or Die 2", New Projects | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHopDX |date=June 3, 2010 |access-date=September 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826163859/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.11386/title.producer-baby-paul-talks-azs-doe-or-die-2-new-projects |archive-date=August 26, 2010 |url-status=dead }} On November 30, 2010, he released a 15th anniversary edition of Doe or Die titled Doe or Die: 15th Anniversary. In 2010, Dr. Dre and Kanye West were said to be too busy to produce for the album, but AZ said he was patiently waiting for them to complete their next solo records so they could join the production team. He was also seeking production from DJ Premier.{{cite web|last=Arnold |first=Paul W |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.12037/title.az-reveals-details-of-doe-or-die-15th-anniversary-edition |title=AZ Reveals Details Of "Doe Or Die: 15th Anniversary Edition" | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=October 4, 2010 |access-date=March 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929235544/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.12037/title.az-reveals-details-of-doe-or-die-15th-anniversary-edition |archive-date=September 29, 2012 }} During a 2011 interview with XXLMag, AZ confirmed that Nas would be featured on the album.{{cite web |url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2011/08/nas-will-appear-on-doe-or-die-ii-az-%E2%80%9Cguarantees%E2%80%9D |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130210030517/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2011/08/nas-will-appear-on-doe-or-die-ii-az-%E2%80%9Cguarantees%E2%80%9D |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 10, 2013 |title=Nas Will Appear on Doe or Die II, AZ "Guarantees" |publisher=Xxlmag.Com |date=August 31, 2011 |access-date=March 30, 2012 }}

On March 27, 2012, AZ released the first street single from Doe or Die 2, "My Niggas", which features production from longtime collaborator Buckwild.{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/clockworkmusic-2/az-my-niggas-prod-by-buckwild |title=AZ "My Niggas" (prod. by Buckwild) by clockworkmusic on SoundCloud – Create, record and share your sounds for free |publisher=Soundcloud.com |date=March 26, 2012 |access-date=March 30, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219103329/https://soundcloud.com/clockworkmusic-2/az-my-niggas-prod-by-buckwild |archive-date=February 19, 2014 }} The album's production includes tracks from Statik Selektah, Baby Paul and the original Doe or Die team of beatsmiths L.E.S., DR Period, Pete Rock, and Buckwild.{{cite web|last=Arnold |first=Paul W |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.19193/title.az-discusses-eminems-infinite-his-unfinished-tracks-with-nas-and-cristal-competition-with-the-notorious-big |title=AZ Discusses Eminem's "Infinite," His Unfinished Tracks With Nas And "Cristal Competition" With The Notorious B.I.G. | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=March 29, 2012 |access-date=May 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122162824/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.19193/title.az-discusses-eminems-infinite-his-unfinished-tracks-with-nas-and-cristal-competition-with-the-notorious-big |archive-date=January 22, 2014 }}

In 2014, AZ was heavily featured on Ghostface Killah's album 36 Seasons.{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.31373/title.ghostface-killah-36-seasons-release-date-tracklist-production-credits-album-snippets|title=Ghostface Killah "36 Seasons" Release Date, Tracklist, Production Credits & Album Stream|work=HipHopDX|access-date=March 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503203207/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.31373/title.ghostface-killah-36-seasons-release-date-tracklist-production-credits-album-snippets|archive-date=May 3, 2015|url-status=dead}}

After several delays, Doe or Die II was released on September 10, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/doe-or-die-ii/1580946119|title=Doe or Die II by AZ|date=September 10, 2021}}

On December 1, 2023, AZ released his tenth studio album Truth Be Told via Quiet Money Records. The album was entirely produced by Buckwild and included the singles "The GOAT", "This is Why", "How We Get It", and "Respect Mines".{{Cite web |title=AZ - Truth Be Told |url=https://genius.com/albums/Az/Truth-be-told |website=Genius |language=en-US}}

Discography

;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)
Legendary (2009)
Doe or Die II (2021)
Truth Be Told (2023)

;

;Collaboration Albums

The Firm: The Album (1997)

Awards and nominations

; Grammy Awards

class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"
width=5%\|Year ! style="width:30%;"\| Award ! style="width:30%;"\| Nomination ! style="width:10%;"\| Result
2003 \|Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group \|"The Essence" (with Nas) \|{{nom}}

class="wikitable" style="width:80%;"

width=5%|Year

! style="width:30%;"| Award

! style="width:30%;"| Nomination

! style="width:10%;"| Result

2003

|Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group

|"The Essence" (with Nas)

|{{nom}}