The ironic thing about reissue albums is that although they are intended for a niche audience – namely fans who have been with the artist since the beginning as well as new fans in the midst of devouring a back catalogue – these albums have often been downright disrespectful to the “Tuesday at midnight” die-hards. Many times these CDs are rush-jobs that are conspicuously incomplete due to clearance problems but still tout themselves as “essential” by pointing to suspicious “re-masterings” and a slew of live versions of tracks we’ve heard a million times. Certain labels have even gone as far as gathering a bunch of C-list artists to re-record a classic in the form of cover songs which were then released under the guise of a “Special Anniversary Edition.” (See Priority’s 10th for Straight Outta Compton)
Although the 15th Anniversary Edition of AZ’s still underrated Doe or Die should more accurately be called a 15th Anniversary companion, the legendary Brooklyn emcee knows his fans – and the current landscape of commercial music – well enough to realize that anyone who would consider purchasing this already owns the original. Rather than attempt – and most likely fail – to cash in by repackaging his debut album as a double disc with extras, AZ has cut to the chase so we can rediscover, reconsider and prepare for the sequel.
Where 1995’s Doe or Die should serve as a lesson in narrative economy as well as structural efficiency for many of today’s emcees with a gluttonous appetite for pointless skits and features for every track; the Doe or Die 15th Anniversary Edition should serve as a guide for any veteran artist preparing a special edition who thinks a few radio show freestyles will do the trick. This is an album that for the most part succeeds in giving the true fans what they want – quality new material and remixes by producers of a caliber on par with the original roster. Bringing in consistent names like Statik Selektah, Lil Fame and MoSS, with fan-bases of their own, and asking for a fresh backdrop rather than a reinvention the wheel should even make AZ some new fans.
Doe or Die‘s genius lies in AZ’s abilities as a rhymer. He had a nimble style that never forgot about substance. He sounded hungry but always landed gracefully. Listening to AZ on a track, you could almost see his amused sneer as he surveyed his ham-handed competition; emcees whose rhymes dead-ended with their tough guy bravado before ever even scratching the surface. They were the ones who brought knives to gunfights. AZ brought a plague. Sure he could put the heads of “teeny boppers” through the “propellers of helicopters” but that didn’t cut deep enough. He’d “slaughter your circulatory like leukemia” and then for good measure “EQ your brain waves”
Although the original album’s beats didn’t astound, they got the job done and have aged remarkably well when placed alongside albums like Kool G Rap‘s 4,5,6 released a week earlier and Coolio’s “Gangster’s Paradise” which was for some reason laying waste to any hip-hop single that showed some chart movement that season.
Having half of this anniversary edition made up of 15 year-old verses coupled with new beats – by producers who pride themselves on innovating and evolving – could have been a recipe for disaster. Thankfully, these beatmakers are also students of Hip Hop and keep things stripped down without sounding stale. Their approach is one all about the counterpoint. Statik Selektah took Pete Rock‘s melancholy “Gimme Yours” 
and brightened the tone while Lil Fame went in the opposite direction making “Rather Unique” grimier, more threatening.
But Doe or Die‘s verses themselves help make the updated versions sound fresh. The things that the original album saw as important made the countless number of two-dimensional coke Rap albums released in its wake sound more dated. AZ may have rhymed about that same street corner but he had a different definition of the pinnacle of success. It was wasn’t about becoming the next Giancanna or Gambino, it was about becoming the next John D. Rockefeller, the true gangster. And where Doe or Die may also talk of gun-play it also puts a commodity on intellect as we’re told the “mind of a Princeton grad” is deadly too.
With Doe or Doe 15th‘s new material like the MoSS produced Mancini-by-way-of- Miami sounding “I’m Ill” , you get even more of a sense of what set AZ apart. He was self-aware in a way that acknowledged the cinema of hip hop even while he was living in the present tense and speaking in the first person. Not only did he want to remembered for his exploits and triumphs but also for how he told them. That awareness came across crystal clear when he touted himself as another Donald Goines, a master creator of characters. Too many other rappers were just content being characters. Even in making his debut AZ knew that being dynamic doesn’t matter if you can’t add dimension to your landscape and some shadows to your sketches.
AZ, He just remaked the classic right there. Most underrated rapper alive
What’s the point of releasing an updated version of doe or die with some new beats and a few new songs? Sounds cheap to me. I thought he would release the original album with a few unreleased songs and remixes.
What’s the point of remaking a classic??? Is AZ goin for quick money?
Dude samashing some Millionare chick he’s just putting this out for GP….
fireee
buying, az a living legend. love that video single.
1. NaS
2. Eminem
3. AZ
4. Ghostface
5. Raekwon
What is this list? Don’t ever let me see you post a top 5 rappers list without including Scarface and Big Daddy Kane
this is A MUST buy people.
AZ ALL DAY
DOE OR DIE 2 … come on get with it nas
DID YOU KNOW THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS “FREEDOM OF SPEECH” IN THE UNITED KINGDOM????
WE ONLY HAVE “POETIC LICENCE”,BUT ANY LAW IN THE U.K CAN OVER RIDE IT!!
DUE TO RACISM IN MY FAMILY TOWARDS MY DAUGHTER,I RESPONDED WITH POETRY & HIP HOP LYRICS.
THIS LEAD TO A COURT CASE AGAINST ME FOR THREATS TO KILL & HARASSMENT!
THE JUDGE AT CROWN COURT DECIDED TO PLACE A “FIVE YEAR RAP & POETRY BAN ON MY MATERIAL!”
“I AM OFFICIALLY THE FIRST EVER U.K RAP ARTIST & POET TO BE GIVEN THIS BAN! (2009-2014)
ITS TIME TO STAND UP PEOPLE…DONT LET AUTHORITIES DICTATE WHAT YOU CAN & CANT SAY!!
IF I RAP OR WRITE ABOUT CERTAIN SUBJECTS OR NAME CERTAIN NAMES,
I’LL BE FACING UP TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON!! FOR RAP & POETRY!!??? WTF!!!
CROWN COURT PAPERS DETAILING MY RAP BAN UP IN MY PHOTO ALBUMS NOW!!!
FEEL FREE TO LEAVE ME A COMMENT IF YOU FEELING WHAT IM DOING!! STAY BLESSED!
http://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/DONHONKI
http://WWW.SOUNDCLOUD.COM/DONHONKI (Back catalogue of my tracks)
http://WWW.SOUNDCLOUD.COM/WORDZAREWEAPONZ (My spoken word poetry audio)
http://WWW.TWITTER.COM/DONHONKI
http://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/DONHONKI1
http://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM IAN DONHONKI DUNNE
AZ realest dude left!
AZ FOREVER! I GOTTA LIGHT SOMETHING UP TO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quiet Money 4 Life
Most Hated, Most Underated
A Must Buy!!!
Anonymous is a hypocritical asshole…..
5/5 really digging gimme yours 2010, not as energic like 95 but still its very good for remake.. Definetly gona cop this, make sure you all do it…
so sorry to hear AZ gona retire after DOD2.. but still hoping thats just a stunt..
he’s not gonna retire
he’ll be around for a while
why hip hop dx has not a rating? for this one? )
people have to understand, that this cd is just a gift for all the AZ fans. It’s not the doe or die part 2, which’ll come out 2011. one.
hes the most underrated rapper ever
this is dope
doe or die is a classic album
originally i thought this was just a re-release of the original but this is pretty much doe or die 15 years later
can’t wait 4 doe or die 2
Dope
Classic verses from Az + new beats from tight producers = Anthony Cruz, u son of a gun…What Next, Doe Or Die 2? U SICK!!!!!
dont need to say anything
I don’t understand why they haven’t rated this album. An great remake of a classic hip hop album. AZ is my favorite MC of all time and he’s been for a long time. I am very happy that he re-imagined his 1995 classic for 2010. IMO 5/5.
ill
dope…classic
I give this a 3.5/10 (4 stars for the review). It gives you a great feel of the original classic and gives you a glimpse of more that’s yet to come.
AZ is definitely top five underrated!!
just a re-release
no shit dummy…just stay in your miserable little corner…
flames…if it has his name on it…its a quality product…nuff said..
AZ always spits razor blades. Easily top 10 of all time.
Top 10???? No way no how!!!
cant stop bumpin this one
AZ been my favorite since 1995 when the first album dropped i like him more than Nas!!!!
this is as good as illmatic, 36 chambers, reasonable doubt…etc
if not better
Ilmatic>RD>Doe Or Die>36 Chambers
Finally got around to AZ and must admit it’s fire. And a good reminder it takes your attention to appreciate a lyricist.
Doe or Die. Classic. 5 stars.
I think this album is close to a 5. The new joints like Im Ill and The Calm are knockin plus the old lyrics are still sharper than most dudes out here in ’11!
this is the best anniversary album i EVER heard..dayum this shit is on point!!
still dope
The lyrics on Doe Or Die are superior in every single way to everything I’ve heard this year. AZ has always been a far better rhymer than Nas. Dude is incredible, ”The Calm” is of the sickest tracks last year.
The Intro off Pieces Of A Man >>>.