AZ
Birth name	Anthony Cruz
Origin	East New York, Brooklyn, New York
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	MC, rapper
Years active	1992–present
Labels	Virgin, Motown, Koch,
Associated acts	Nas, The Firm, Cormega, Wu-Tang Clan
Website	www.doeordie2.com

Anthony Cruz, better known as AZ is an American rapper^[1], whose stage name is derived from former drug lord Azie Faison (though spelled differently.) 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," (featuring Nas) was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.^[1]

In 2004 AZ was planning on releasing his would-be 4th studio album, Final Call, however, it was eventually scrapped due to heavy leaking and released as Final Call (The Lost Tapes) in 2008.^[1] He released his 4th and 5th studio albums A.W.O.L. and The Format in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Then Undeniable was released in 2008.

As of October 2009, he is working on his 8th studio album titled Doe or Die 2 to be released in early 2010.^[2]. He hopes to enlist the original production team to Doe Or Die such as L.E.S., Pete Rock, DR Period & Buckwild. He has even confirmed a couple of tracks with Pete Rock, including "Rather Unique Part II". AZ also has ambitions on trying to nab beats from DJ Toomp, Dr. Dre & Kanye West for DOD2 including reaching out to his old rhyme partner Nas, also according to his Twitter he has requested a beat from RZA as well and plans on releasing the album by May or June 2010.^[3]

Contents 1 Discography 1.1 Studio albums 1.2 Collaboration albums 1.3 Compilation albums and Mixtapes 1.4 Appearances 2 References 3 External links

[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) Doe or Die 2 (2010)[2]

[edit] Collaboration albums The Firm: The Album (with The Firm) (1997) [edit] Compilation albums and Mixtapes S.O.S.A. (Save Our Streets AZ) (2000) Decade 1994–2004 (2004) The Return Of S.O.S.A. (Part 1) (2005) The Memphis Sessions: The Remix-Tape (2007) Niggaz 4 Life (2008) Final Call (The Lost Tapes) (2008) Anthology (B-Sides & Unreleased) (2008) The Return Of S.O.S.A. (Part 2) (2008) Legendary (2009) G.O.D. (Gold, Oil & Diamonds) (2009)

[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

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• AZ at MySpace

Persondata
NAME	Cruz, Anthony
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	AZ
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