AZ Doe or Die

Posted on 02.23.1996

AZ
Album : Doe or Die
Release Date : October 10, 1995
Label : Capitol

review :
In 1995 Brooklyn’s AZ (aka Anthony Cruz) dropped his debut album "Doe or Die". A short twelve track release this is an excellent album full of memorable lyrics, beats and production. After the intro a hungry AZ rips up "Uncut Raw", a grimey track about the streets. The next two cuts are more laidback and both are outstanding, AZ rhymes over an ill beat on "Gimme Your’s" then talks about money hungry women on "Ho Happy Jackie". Az excels in lyrically repping himself on "Rather Unique", then rhymes over a crazy beat on "I feel for You".

AZ talks about life, death, his plans and ambitions backed by some smooth female vocals and an addictive beat on the sick "Sugar Hill". On "Illmatic" AZ and Nas dropped a classic collabration with "Life’s a Bitch", on this album they drop another amazing track with "Mo Money, Mo Murder Homocide", both rhyme and AZ drops a premium chorus. The chemistry these two have is incredible and I am still waiting for that collabration album, hopefully that will happen one day. Az continues to shine on the title track then takes a change going political on the dark "We Can’t Win". AZ then talks to and about incarcerated prisoners putting himself in there role on "Your World Don’t Stop", to me theres a hopeful message behind it which is basically keep on going. Sugar Hill (Remix) closes off the album, its a good track but theres no way you can make the original better in my opinion.

AZ lyrically shines on "Doe Or Die", this to me is his greatest album and one that I would recommend for any Hip Hop collection. People who love "Illmatic" should also love this album as its off the hook. AZ continues to be slept on by mainstream audiences but real fans appreciate gems like this release.

Track listing

1. Intro (Explicit) 1:18
2. Uncut Raw (Explicit) 2:59
3. Gimme Your’s (Explicit) 3:07
4. Ho Happy Jackie (Explicit) 3:34
5. Rather Unique (Explicit) 4:49
6. I Feel For You (Explicit) 3:03
7. Sugar Hill (Explicit) 4:09
8. Mo Money Mo Murder (Homicide) (Explicit) 6:32
9. Doe Or Die (Explicit) 4:39
10. We Can’t Win (Explicit) 3:23
11. Your World Don’t Stop (Explicit) 3:33
12. Sugar Hill Remix (Explicit)