AZ 9 Lives

Posted on 06.12.2001

AZ
Album : 9 Lives
Release Date : June 12, 2001
Label : Fontana Motown

review :
AZ probably has one of the most listenable smoothest voices in the game. There is no flaw in his flow or voice and it is simply butter. He makes it seem effortless. His lyrics are well above average and on this album he shows glimpses of greatness. He has always spit best over more smooth and laid back beats.
This album has a sorta different feel than most Northern rap, in my opinion. The beats are mostly soulful type of riding gangsta beats. This is perfectly displayed on What Cha Day About, where the violin really makes this a song that makes you reminisce, and the lyrics are on point. A classic. While on AZ’s Back, Timbaland creates a nice backdrop and is another one of his classic bangers. The chorus is memorable and catchy and is basically saying he is back to take over the game. The single Problemz is a classic AZ song and ranks right up there with Sugarhill. On point as usual.

There happen to be a couple of mishaps though, such as Everything is Everything feat. Joe. Plain Wack with no redeeming qualities. Including Amil on the album was a mistake in itself, but Amil does her usual ritual by messing up the song How Many Wanna, which is otherwise good. The beat on That’s Real is just wack and AZ and Beanie do everything they can to save it but to no avail.

This is one of the best albums of the year and is well worth listening to if you slept on it earlier in the year. I recommend it.

Track listing

1. Intro [Explicit] 1:28
2. What Cha Day About [Explicit] 4:03
3. I Don’t Give A Fuck [Explicit] 3:36
4. At Night [Explicit] 3:53
5. AZ’s Back [Explicit] 3:35
6. Problems [Explicit] 4:08
7. Everything’s Everything [Explicit] 4:36
8. That’s Real [Explicit] 4:19
9. What Ya’ll Nigga’s Want [Explicit] 3:30
10. Let’s Toast [Explicit] 3:59
11. How Many Wanna [Explicit] 3:52
12. Love Me [Explicit] 3:42
13. Quiet Money [Explicit] 4:56
14. Outro [Explicit]