AZ
AZ was born Anthony Cruz to an African-American mother and a Dominican father. 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 main major commercial success as a solo artist, reaching the top 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and achieving Gold status.
AZ's fanbase grew considerably after he joined The Firm, a supergroup comprised of AZ, Nas, Foxy Brown, and Nature, with Dr. Dre and The Trackmasters producing. They went on to release The Firm's only album, The Album. Pieces of a Man was AZ's second solo release. Independently, AZ released S.O.S.A. to in 2000. Soon, however, AZ signed with Motown/Universal Records and released 9 Lives.
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. The video to its first single, "I'm Back," received MTV2 play. AZ was supposed to release an album titled Final Call, around late 2004 or early 2005. Due to massive bootlegging, however, the album was never released. Instead, A.W.O.L. was released on September 6, 2005. This album featured many tracks that were on the unreleased Final Call, as well as some new onesthe first single was the DJ Premier-produced "The Come Up," and it became a popular single.
AZ's sixth solo album The Format , was released on November 7, 2006.
Releases
- Undeniable
-
- Release 4/1/2008
- Buy CD
Tracklisting- The Game Don't Stop
- Superstar
- Life On The Line
- Fire
- What Would You Do ft/ Jay Rush
- Dead End
- Parking Lot Pimpin'
- Undeniable
- Go Getta ft/ Ray J.
- Now I Know
- A. Game
- The Hardest ft/ Styles P [Video Mix]
