With the path that was recently set ablaze by the Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon, thanks to his impressive new album, The Wild, Hip Hop has openly set a seat at the VIP table for its 40-and-Up crowd.
One MC who’s looking to benefit from such renewed interest in the heroes of yesterday is Anthony Cruz, better know to rap heads as AZ.
The Brooklyn-born rhymer is largely known for having the only guest appearance on Nas’ iconic debut, Illmatic before later joining the legendary Queensbridge rap star on the short-lived supergroup album, The Firm.
But fans also respect AZ for his own solo debut, 1995’s Doe or Die, which followed or predated similar mafiaso-style rap albums such as Jay Z’s Reasonable Doubt, Raekwon’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx or Nas’ It Was Written.
Speaking of Raekwon, AZ is currently putting the finishing touches on his long-delayed sequel Doe or Die 2 and the first taste of the project in “Save Them” features The Chef, Mobb Deep’s Prodigy and production by D.I.T.C.’s Buckwild and Jay Allen.
In a new interview with Nodfactor, AZ — who recently celebrated his 45th birthday on the same day of Biggie’s 20th RIP anniversary — explained the vision for the album, which included focusing on eradicating the culture vultures.
“It’s about the sellouts,” AZ explained to NF’s Jerry Barrow in regards to his “Save Them” record. “This is our culture and it took us decades to build this culture right here and it’s being taken advantage of and being used as a fast food situation for people to make a quick dollar. I’ve been on the low for a few, but everywhere I go it feels like I just put a record out because the love is still there and they say ‘You gotta save us from this,’ and I say ‘From what?’ They say there is no substance and the babies still listen to music. You gotta save us. I been getting that for a year or two. Then I was like damn, I gotta save the people. But at the same time I’m like I gotta save those doing it [to us] from themselves. Because they have no clue.”
BFTP: No need to adjust your calendars. That’s AZ, Raekwon, Prodigy and Buckwild all on a 2017 track.
Yet, when it came to pointing out flaws, AZ didn’t take a holier-than-though stance on the subject.
“It’s like the blind leading the blind,” he continued. “I can’t be mad at the little homies doing what they do. They just chasin’ a bag. That’s all they ever knew. But at the same time what y’all doing is defeating a purpose to an extent. Let’s cut the shit out and in order to rebuild we have to destroy so I’m trying to destroy and rebuild.”
As of press time, Doe or Die 2 has no hardline release date but as AZ points out elsewhere in the interview, he’s testing out the new records in front of live audiences every chance he gets.
I feel like this was announced back in like 2011 or earlier. I was starting to wonder if it would ever come out.
AZ is in my top 5 all time, easily one of my favorites, but this album been coming since 2010, this has turn into
a detox situation and I’m wondering why, he is independent and could easily put this album out I think. I think he is just as
good as nas, better lyrics and word play than nas, nas flow is slightly better. Would have been nice to if they would have done some
duo albums.
Lmao better lyric than Nas????? Chill fam. Take It In Blood from It Was Written is lyrically better than 90% of tracks in hip hop history. AZ was dope but he still spit like it’s 95. Nas has switched his flow several times.
AZ has a stronger Catalog than Nas, especially beat wise. I’m sure you haven’t heard everything he has done if you did you wouldn’t debate that Nas is better. Nas has a few good songs but his CD’s don’t have real replay value outside of Illmatic, Life is Good and God’s Son. Stillmatic was okay the rest you can throw away.
No way AZ has a better catalogue than Nas. I own all of their ablums. Without searching google can you name any songs off AZ’s last two albums Undeniable and Legendary??? I bought them and I can’t. AZ’s ill, but when it comes to creativity and concepts Nas is far better. Undying Love, I gave You Power, Blaze a 50, Fetus, Blunt Ashes, Book of Rhymes, The Black Bond, Fried Chicken. They rhyme equally well but Nas is much more creative.
AZ albums are more consistent. Bad albums are more experimental. Main difference.
Bad* ——- Nas*
Typo
Also, yeah. I made the same mistake about Undeniable. When I first bought it, gave it a few listens, thought it was decent. But then last year I really sat down and studied the songs and content. It’s a sick album. What Would You Do, Dead End, The Game Don’t Stop… Basically the first 7 or 8 songs are undeniably classic, plus that track with Styles P.
they just don’t make them like AZ no more…that whole contingent. nas, mobb deep, big noyd, capone & noreaga, large pro, cormega…lake…Queensbridge was the definition of lit
lol lake. I’ve wondered what happened to his career. He was on Ill Will, left, and I was happy to see his album finally came out in 2006, presented by Cormega. But it came and went with no fanfare, and I don’t think he’s done anything since. Good to see I’m not the only one who knows about him
Queensbridge is the definition of shit.
Save Our Streets AZ.
Only SOSA we acknowledge.
I’m gonna say something that pains me as a hip hop fan… Prodigy ruins that track “Save Them” AZ kills, Reakwon bodies the goddamn track as usual whenever he features on a song but Prodigy is washed up. his best sharp lyrics was on Mobb Deep “Hell on Earth”. I don’t know what happened to him post Hell on earth but he lost his expansive criminology , it feels like prodigy on training wheels. it sucks cause i love the mobb, and he carried most songs in their prime.
i agree P been garbage for a long ass time. The Infamous and Hell On Earth = amazing albums from that very special era of classic albums. personally i prefer The Infamous thou.
Agreed prodigy ruins this record and should have retired after hell on earth or possibly hnic. Also az is def top 2 or 3 rappers of all time but absolutely most boring interviewee ever also cant perform well live at all.
Thank you ! i though it was just me in regards to Prodigy.
His vocals sound a little low…but Prodigy is a legend of street rap…respect
targeting sellouts – are we talkin about Nas here? all jokes aside AZ been dope
then again dude ain’t sold shit lately lol
What you sell doesn’t determine Your talent. Think about all the dumb “shit” that has sold millions. Your ignorance isn’t evident, enlighten yourself. I’m sure momma didn’t raise no fool
if there was a hip hop god there would be a reunion cd…. the real firm…. NAS, AZ, CORMEGA. no nature. no foxy. JUST THE REAL SHXT. i always said that Jay got over on Nas even when Nas had the better tracks when they was beefin. The whole reason was that the Roc was hot and Nas was straight solo. But if AZ and MEGA came at BEANS, FREE, BLEEK, etc…. GAME OVER. No one could touch Nasir, AZ, and Mr Mega on the battlefront… too bad the good homies could never get along.
no Nature? you buggin son Nature been a beast more underrated than AZ
I know you troll this on every story but….
Is Bone Thugs just Bizzy and Krayzie now? The cover for that song has only those 2 but it says it is Bone Thugs. I thought those 2 were the Bone Brothers, or maybe that was Layzie and Bizzy, fuck if I remember. Plus it only refers to them as Bone Thugs, not Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Regardless, the song is wack, just like their first singles from the past 2 official albums.
Please AZ why stop rapping?
Hoping this is a double album.
To what dude said prodigy was good up into murda muzik after that he’s been trash need to go listen to his old flow and practice it but he fucked this joint up bad
facts! this new flow sounds like a step behind! wtf happened to P? Raekwon way older than P and still sound sharp as a shaolin sword .
I hate to say this, but you just don’t get it. His rhymes are methodical and deliberately stylized like that. He didn’t “forget” how to rhyme. He just uses a more unorthodox style now, because that’s what happens when you become a certain level of MC. Raekwon, Kool Keith, Nas, Canibus, and many more great MCs have done this. Listen to “Broken Rappers”. Peace.
uh oh here comes the real hip hop from the early 90s that 11,000 people will buy it, but claim its real hip hop and this is what the game needs. but real hip hop heads are all alone (all 7,000 of you) no one wants to relive the 90s time to put old heads to sleep and rub some ben gay on your joints
You sound stupid… Lil yachty probably your favorite rapper… Go sit yo’ dick in the booty ass down.
Haha that’s actually pretty good. Funny. AZ is a platinum recording artist, you can’t deny that. And if you truly appreciate real skills then the 7k of us wouldn’t include yourself. The truth has never been popular. And the “real” have always been in the minority. AZ created his own lane, was successful in doing so and is still the same. How’s that saying go? Oh yeah, “Haters gon’ Hate” you’re just ignorant. Or at least I hope so. It’s far better than being foolish.
Man most of y’all commenting sound like you wore a helmet walking around your high school hallways… AZ been top notch, rappers like these are timeless… The game need saving from these fuckboy migos and drakes of the league… And whoever talking about Bone… Go home! They was trash juice always… Even with BIG.
If it doesn’t have a Nas feature I don’t wanna hear it
Nas will just get killed by AZ, again.
A couple things, first off AZ is the most underrated MC of all time. You can’t find a wack verse in his catalogue. Also, he always been classy. He didn’t jump out the window like his colleagues. Lastly, that “Save Them” song is nasty. Peace.
My man! At least somebody on here knows what they’re talking about. I legally purchased every single AZ album that came out, except Pieces of a Man. And I think I bought that one too, just can’t remember.
AZ, my favorite MC of all time. Better than Nas, BIG, Jay, Pac, and all the other new school elites.
It’s time, AZ. Word is bond! It’s time, yo. Word to mother, yo!
Legend
AZ better than broke ass Nas. He killed Nas in every song they’ve done. He should’ve been the star, not Nas.
Respect to AZ but this Buckwild beat is fucking awful.
Prodigy should seriously consider retiring.
I mean, how could you have known he was going to die 2 months later, right?
AZ is the real deal but one could argue that Talib Kweli is the most underrated rapper….similar vocals as AZ, content just as strong as AZ, but better wordplay and a Kweli contains a vast vocabulary. Don’t get it it twisted, both are my top two rappers, personally, but I’m curious.