AZ [click to read] finds it hard to release a track where he doesn’t simply go off. That mentality is what has kept him relevant in many circles for years. Although making considerably less buzz than his “Life’s a Bitch” compadre, N4L (Niggaz 4 Life) is a conceptual attempt to dissect a similar concept as the one Nas tackled on Untitled (Originally titled, Nigger) [click to read]. In many ways, this album shows that there is a statement to be made, starting from the cover, which shows AZ being lynched and ending with his words, rich in lyrics and that hunger to go off.
The statement is made well. “Runaway Slave” is a track where AZ, in his descriptive manner, details an experience through the eyes of a slave, ready to free himself from the barbarity that entrapped him. “Pitch black, barefoot. Sprinting like a deer shook. Face like a werewolf, quoting from the prayer book,” he rhymes while riding a soulful instrumental. Later, he shows his growth with “I’m That Nigga” where he explains what his mind is on today. “Thoughts on a whole different accord/ While niggas still stressin’ on some shit they can’t afford/or a broad/ Fuck if it ain’t mortgage, I ignore it…Pay attention/ This is what you scholars been missin’/ The making of the man. This ain’t making of the band.” His illness with a pen continues throughout “Conspiracy,” “Nigga Games” and “Never Gonna Stop.” Raekwon [click to read] and AZ make for a great collabo next to Charlie Rock on “The Secret,” and Sheek [click to read] links with Trey Songz to join him on a more pop friendly “I Just Wanna.” AZ also uses another collaborative project in “Originals” to switch up and speed up his delivery.That adds versatility to the tape, but the other collaborations could have been left off.
The downfall of N4L is also the constant presence of DJ Absolut. Sure, it’s a mixtape but that ever annoying DJ yell is too much to take and it breaks up the cohesion and tone of the album. Ab is pretty much on every track’s start, ending or both and that definitely takes away from the artistic splendor of tracks like “Runaway Slave.” Some tracks can be seen as forgettable when AZ is joined by friends, but they are not necessarily bad tracks; just easy to skip. The sound quality, being a mixtape, is also not too great.
Overall, AZ is the same AZ we came to appreciate since he came on the scene, full of hunger and impressive lyrical capabilities. N4L is short and it can get annoying when you listen to the DJ yelling to start or end every track, but it’s definitely a solid effort from AZ. It’s simply another example of why the man is still making music and still getting respect as he continues to “carry on tradition.”
