AZ - We Movin

New music video by New York rapper AZ.

AZ - Thank You

2013 is officially starting off with a bang for AZ, as the Grammy-Nominated Recording Artist, makes his return to the Hip-Hop scene with the release of his highly-anticipated new LP Doe Or Die II, which will be released later this year. AZ wet the appetites of fans for Doe Or Die II in early January with his “Genesis” freestyle. Since the release of the Doe or Die anniversary album in 2011, AZ has been working to perfect each song for the new album; and fans will definitely be pleased with the follow up. AZ first became known by appearing on Nas' landmark 1994 album, Illmatic, as his hook on “Life’s A Bitch” still resounds today and he was also featured on Illmatic’s opening opus “The Genesis”. AZ was the only guest feature on Illmatic and soon thereafter he signed with EMI and released his own debut LP Doe Or Die in 1995 to widespread critical acclaim. The album's lead single, "Sugar Hill", became one of AZ's major commercially successful records as a solo artist, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and achieving Gold status. In 2002, he released Aziatic from which his single "The Essence“ f/ Nas was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. AZ has since released four solo-LP’s (his solo release Undeniable also made a high debut on the Billboard charts) and worked with artists such as Nas, RZA, DJ Premier, Ghostface, Raekwon, Pete Rock, Buckwild, Trackmasters, Emile, Lil Fame, Phonte, Sheek Louch, Styles P, Foxy Brown, Beanie Sigel, Nottz, Large Professor, Bink, MoSS, & Statik Selektah and remained a constant staple with fans and critics alike. Today, AZ is back and better than ever and is readying his forthcoming Doe Or Die II release.

AZ - Genesis

The Year is officially starting off with a bang as Grammy-Nominated Recording Artist, Anthony "AZ" Cruz, marks his highly anticipated return to the Hip Hop scene with the release of a brand new freestyle, Genesis. With this new freestyle, AZ is preparing his fans for the release of his new album Doe or Die II, which will be released later this year. Since the release of the Doe or Die anniversary album in 2011, AZ has been working to perfect each song for the new album. Fans will definitely be pleased with the follow up. AZ first became known by appearing on Nas' landmark 1994 album Illmatic on the song "Life's a Bitch", as well as featuring vocals on the opening track "The Genesis". He was the only guest feature to appear on that album. AZ signed with EMI, and soon released his debut album Doe Or Die in 1995 to critical acclaim. The album's lead single, "Sugar Hill", became one of AZ's major commercially successful records as a solo artist, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and achieving Gold status. In 2002, he released Aziatic from which his single "The Essence" (featuring Nas), was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. Today, AZ is back and better than ever. Check out the new Genesis freestyle and stay tuned for Doe or Die II coming soon. AZ is also currently touring and available for bookings.

AZ - Sugarhill (Feat. Miss Jones)

From 1995 Album: "Doe or Die"

Anthony Cruz (born March 9, 1972, in Brooklyn), better known as AZ is a Grammy-nominated American rapper of Dominican & African American descent. He is known for being a long time and frequent rhyme partner of Nas, and also a member of hip-hop group The Firm alongside 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 #1 on the list. He was also included on About.com's list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987--2007), where he was described as "arguably the most underrated lyricist ever."

AZ first became known by appearing on Nas' landmark 1994 album Illmatic on the song "Life's a Bitch", as well as featuring vocals on the opening track The Genesis. He was the only guest feature to appear on that album. AZ signed with EMI, and soon released his debut album Doe Or Die in 1995 to critical acclaim, but meager commercial success. The album's lead single, "Sugar Hill", became AZ's only major commercial success as a solo artist, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and achieving Gold status. AZ's EMI contract was transferred to sister label Noo Trybe Records/Virgin Records when the EMI Label Group was shut down. In 1997, he and Nas appeared in a Sprite commercial. Also in 1997 the group The Firm with AZ, Nas, Nature, and Foxy Brown released their only album as a group, The Album. The album featured production from well known producers such as Dr. Dre and the Trackmasters and generated much hype, but was generally viewed as a disappointment. The group disbanded after just this one album. In 1998 AZ released his second solo album, Pieces of a Man. The album fared well but did not chart quite as well as his debut and did not feature a crossover single like "Sugar Hill".

After this album's release, AZ signed with Motown/Universal Records and released 9 Lives. In 2002, he released Aziatic. A single from the album, "The Essence," (featuring Nas) was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

In 2004 AZ was planning on releasing his would-be 4th studio album, Final Call, however, it was eventually scrapped due to heavy leaking and released as Final Call (The Lost Tapes) in 2008. He released his 4th and 5th studio albums A.W.O.L. and The Format in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Then Undeniable and Legendary were released in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

AZ - The Come Up (Prod. DJ Premier)

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