AZ (rapper)

Anthony Cruz (born March 9, 1972), better known by his stage name AZ, is an American rapper. He was born in Brooklyn, New York. He is famous for being a long-time and frequent rhyme partner of Nas. He is also a member of the hip hop group The Firm with Nas, Foxy Brown, Cormega and Nature.

In a countdown of the 10 Most Underappreciated Rappers—Most Underrated Rappers of All Time, the editors of About.com listed AZ as number one on the list. He was as well featured on About.com's list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007). That was where he was identified as "arguably the most underrated lyricist ever."

 Early life 
AZ was born in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He is of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in East New York, Brooklyn, with his mother and sister.#20YrsLtr: Doe or Die (2016)

AZ began writing rap lyrics when he was 12 years old. He attended Eli Whitney High School with fellow Brooklyn rapper Jay-Z until the vocational school closed down in the late 1980s. 

In the early 1990s, he became friends with Queens rapper Nas.Anthony Cruz: Jewels, Gems & Treasures. Quiet Money Publishing, 2015.

 Career 
AZ appeared on Nas' album Illmatic in 1994. After AZ signed with EMI, he released his first album, Doe or Die (1995). The album's lead single, "Sugar Hill", became AZ's major commercial success as a solo artist. It reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified Gold by the RIAA.

In 1997, AZ joined the hip hop group The Firm with Nas, Nature and Foxy Brown. They released their only album as a group, The Album.

In 1998, AZ released his second solo album, Pieces of a Man.

After Pieces of a Man was released, AZ signed with Motown and Universal Records. He released the album 9 Lives.[ allmusic Biography] In 2002, he released the album Aziatic. A single from the album, "The Essence" (featuring Nas), was nominated at the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

 Discography 
 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)
 Legendary (2009)
 Doe or Die II (2021)

Compilation albums
 S.O.S.A. (Save Our Streets AZ) (2000)
 Decade 1994–2004 (2004)
 Final Call (The Lost Tapes) (2008)
 Anthology (B-Sides & Unreleased) (2008)
 Doe or Die: 15th Anniversary (2010)
 Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 (2017)
 Lost & Found (2019)

Mixtapes
 The Memphis Sessions: The Remix-Tape (2007)
 N.4.L. (Niggaz 4 Life) (Hosted by DJ Absolut) (2008)
 G.O.D. (Gold, Oil & Diamonds) (2009)
 L.O.D.B (Last of a Dying Breed) (Hosted by AZ and DJ Mr. FX) (2013)
 L.O.D.B II (Last of a Dying Breed) (Hosted by AZ and DJ Mr. FX) (2013)
 Legacy (Hosted by DJ Doo Wop) (2019)

 Singles 
YearSongChart positionsRIAA certificationsAlbumU.S.U.S. R&BU.S. Rap1995 "Sugar Hill" (featuring Miss Jones)25123 RIAA: GoldDoe or Die "Gimme Yours" (featuring Nas)1155130—1996 "Doe or Die"—6924—1997 "Hey AZ" (featuring SWV)—50——non-album single "Firm Biz" (with Nas and Foxy Brown featuring Dawn Robinson) ———— The Firm: The Album  "Phone Tap" (with Nas and Nature featuring Dr. Dre)————1998 "What's the Deal" (featuring Kenny Greene)————Pieces of a Man2001 "Problems"—9034—9 Lives "Everything's Everything" (featuring Joe)———— "I'm Back" (featuring Daddy Rose)—63——Aziatic2002 "Take It Off"————2005 "The Come Up"————A.W.O.L.2007 "The Format"————The Format2008 "Undeniable"————Undeniable2010 "Feel My Pain"————Doe or Die: 15th Anniversary2013 "We Movin'"————non-album single2014 "Red Magic"————2015 "Back to Myself" (featuring Soshy)————2017 "Save Them" (featuring Raekwon and Prodigy)————2019 "It's Time"————2020 "Found My Niche"————Doe or Die II "Different"————2021 "The Wheel" (featuring Jaheim)———— "Motorola Era" (featuring 2 Chainz)————

References

Category:1972 births
Category:Living people
Category:African-American rappers
Category:Dominican Republic musicians
Category:Musicians from Brooklyn
Category:Gangsta rappers
Category:20th-century American rappers
Category:21st-century American rappers