AZ (rapper)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| AZ | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Anthony Cruz |
| Also known as | The Visualiza |
| Born | March 9, 1972 |
| Origin | Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Emcee |
| Instrument(s) | Emceeing, piano/keyboard, synthesizer, drums |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Label(s) | EMI, Virgin, Motown, Koch, Quiet Money/Fastlife |
| Associated acts | Nas, The Firm, Cormega, Wu-Tang Clan |
Anthony Cruz (born March 9, 1972 in Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York), better known as AZ, is an American rapper currently residing in Englewood, New Jersey. He is well known for his association with Nas, his membership in the supergroup The Firm, and his many successful solo albums. AZ is known for his smooth, cadence of delivery. He is also known for his use of multi-syllable rhyme schemes, internal rhymes, unconventional rhymes, and a large vocabulary. Sylvia Dedeyan of AllHipHop.com, describes AZ as "the greatest rappers as far as lyrics and longevity", [1]his style and flow are instantly recognizable and comparable to his friend and collaborator Nas.
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 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 an Sprite commercial.
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. The Firm's only album, The Album, was regarded as critically disappointing. Pieces of a Man, AZ's second solo release, didn't sell well. Independently, AZ released S.O.S.A. to little fanfare 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 moderate 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 ones—the first single was the DJ Premier-produced "The Come Up," and it became a moderately popular single.[citation needed]
AZ's sixth solo album The Format , was released on November 7, 2006. Since The Format, AZ has released a mixtape titled The Memphis Sessions and a J-Love mixtape titled The Return of S.O.S.A.[2] His latest album Undeniable was released on April 1st, 2008 and was received moderately well by critics and fans alike.
Contents |
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Doe or Die
- Released: October 10, 1995
- Sales: 550,303 [3]
- RIAA Certification: Gold
- Billboard 200 chart position: #7
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #1
- Singles: "Gimme Yours"/"Uncut Raw", "Sugar Hill"/"Rather Unique", "Sugar Hill (Remix)", "Doe or Die"/"Mo Money Mo Murder "Homicide"
- The Firm: The Album (with The Firm)
- Released: October 21, 1997
- Sales: 1,200,000
- RIAA Certification: Platinum
- Billboard 200 chart position: #1
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #1
- Singles: "Firm Biz", "Phone Tap"/"Five Minutes to Flush"
- S.O.S.A. (Save Our Streets AZ) (EP)
- Released: 2000
- Sales: -
- RIAA Certification: None
- Billboard 200 chart position: -
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: -
- Singles: "I Don't Give a Fuck"/"Love Me in a Special Way"
- Decade 1994-2004
- Released: October 12, 2004
- Sales: 250,000
- RIAA Certification: None
- Billboard 200 chart position: -
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: -
- Singles: N/A
- Final Call
- Released: Unreleased (planned for 2004)
- Sales: -
- RIAA Certification: None
- Billboard 200 chart position: -
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: -
- Singles: "Live Wire", "Magic Hour"
- A.W.O.L.
- Released: September 6, 2005
- Sales:300,000
- RIAA Certification: None
- Billboard 200 chart position: #73
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #17
- Singles: "The Come Up"/"Magic Hour", "Still Alive"/"New York", "AZ's Chillin'"/"Never Change"
- The Format
- Released: November 7, 2006
- Sales: 110,000
- RIAA Certification: None
- Billboard 200 chart position:
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position:
- Singles: "The Format"/"Vendetta"
[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 DJ 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 V.A. NFL Jams
- 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"
- 1996: "Something About You [Darkchild Remix]" New Edition Something About You 12"
- 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 V.A. NFL Jams
- 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 Bk's Don Diva
[edit] References
- ^ Features : AZ: Superhero with no Disguise
- ^ J-Love song tracklistings
- ^ http://www.ukmix.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=22680&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=325
- ^ http://www.ukmix.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=22680&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=325
- ^ http://www.ukmix.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=22680&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=325
- ^ http://www.ukmix.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=22680&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=325
- ^ http://forum.rapgodfathers.com/latest-news/229340-soundscan-album-sales-05-01-08-rnb-hip-hop-top-25-only.html
[edit] External links
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Cruz, Anthony |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | AZ |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Rapper |
| DATE OF BIRTH | March 9, 1973 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Brooklyn, New York |
| DATE OF DEATH | |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
