With nine albums, one Grammy nomination, and 18 years in the music industry, this Brooklyn rapper is simply known by two letters. AZ made his first appearance on wax in 1994 when he was featured on “Life’s a Bitch” by Nas. With that song, he was the sole feature with an actual verse on Illmatic. AZ then released his first project, Doe or Die, the following year. Propelled by the success of the lead single, “Sugar Hill,” Doe or Die would peak at #15 on the Billboard 200 chart.
In 1996, Nas, Foxy Brown, Nature, and AZ formed a super group of New York City rappers known as The Firm and signed a deal with Dr. Dre and his Afthermath label. Though so many big names were involved in the project their first and only body of work, The Album, was weakly received by fans and critics. This lead to the group’s disbandment in 1998, and to the general decline of AZ’s career on a mainstream level.
AZ would go on to make two more albums, but did not regain any notable success until he made Aziatic in 2002. The album gave him two things he had not achieved before, a certified gold album and a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for the song “The Essence” featuring Nas. AZ released four more studio albums after that, but none returned him to any kind of mainstream prosperity. Today he is working on Doe or Die II, a sequel to his debut album.
AZ is arguably considered the most underrated rapper of all time. Take away the critically acclaimed albums, gold plaques, and nominations, AZ is one of the few rappers to hold his own while on the same record as Nas. That alone demands some RESPECT.
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