AZ
Birth name Anthony Cruz
Born March 9, 1972
Origin Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.

Az biography :

AZ was born Anthony Cruz to an African-American mother and a Dominican father. AZ first came to prominence by appearing on Nas’ landmark album Illmatic on the song "Life’s a Bitch" (1994)—he was the only guest emcee to appear on that album. After a bidding war, AZ signed with EMI, and soon released Doe Or Die (1995) to more critical acclaim than commercial sales. The album’s lead single, "Sugar Hill", became AZ’s main major commercial success as a solo artist, reaching the top 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and achieving Gold status.

AZ’s fanbase grew considerably after he joined The Firm, a supergroup comprised of AZ, Nas, Foxy Brown, and Nature, with Dr. Dre and The Trackmasters producing. They went on to release The Firm’s only album, The Album. Pieces of a Man was AZ’s second solo release. Independently, AZ released S.O.S.A. to in 2000. Soon, however, AZ signed with Motown/Universal Records and released 9 Lives.

In 2002, he released Aziatic. A single from the album, "The Essence," was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. The video to its first single, "I’m Back," received MTV2 play. AZ was supposed to release an album titled Final Call, around late 2004 or early 2005. Due to massive bootlegging, however, the album was never released. Instead, A.W.O.L. was released on September 6, 2005. This album featured many tracks that were on the unreleased Final Call, as well as some new ones—the first single was the DJ Premier-produced "The Come Up," and it became a popular single.

AZ’s sixth solo album The Format , was released on November 7, 2006.

Since The Format, AZ has released a mixtape titled The Memphis Sessions and a J-Love mixtape titled The Return of S.O.S.A. His latest album Undeniable will be released in April 1, 2008.

AZ Discography

AZ Albums

Doe or Die
Released : October 10, 1995
Singles : "Gimme Yours"/"Uncut Raw", "Sugar Hill"/"Rather Unique", "Sugar Hill (Remix)", "Doe or Die"/"Mo Money Mo Murder "Homicide"

The Firm : The Album (with The Firm)
Released : October 21, 1997
Singles : "Firm Biz", "Phone Tap"/"Five Minutes to Flush"

Pieces of a Man
Released : April 7, 1998
Singles : "Hey AZ"/"Sosa", "What’s the Deal"/"Trading Places"

S.O.S.A. (Save Our Streets AZ) (EP)
Released : 2000
Singles : "I Don’t Give a Fuck"/"Love Me in a Special Way"

9 Lives
Released : June 12, 2001
Singles : "Everything’s Everything"/"At Night", "Problems"/"I Don’t Give a Fuck"

Aziatic
Released : June 11, 2002
Singles : "I’m Back", "Wanna Be There", "The Essence", "Take it Off"

Decade 1994-2004
Released : October 12, 2004

Final Call
Released : Unreleased (planned for 2004)
Singles : "Live Wire", "Magic Hour"

A.W.O.L.
Released : September 6, 2005
Singles : "The Come Up"/"Magic Hour", "Still Alive"/"New York", "AZ’s Chillin’"/"Never Change"

The Format
Released : November 7, 2006
Singles : "The Format"/"Vendetta"

The Memphis Sessions (Official mixtape : Remixes over Al Green-inspired beats)
Released : 2007
Singles : "Life On The Line"/"The Hardest"

Undeniable
Released : March 7th, 2008

AZ Appearances :

1994 : "The Genesis" Nas Illmatic
1994 : "Life’s a Bitch" Nas Illmatic

1996 : "A+Z" A+ The Latch-Key Child
1996 : "When The Cheering Stops" V.A. NFL Jams
1996 : "Lady Remix" D’Angelo Lady 12"
1996 : "Album Intro" Nas It Was Written
1996 : "Affirmative Action" with Foxy Brown & Cormega Nas It Was Written
1996 : "I Miss U - Come Back Home Remix" Monifah Miss U 12"

1997 : "Sprite Commericial" with Nas, adapting a famous BeatStreet-Scene

1998 : "Promises" V.A. NFL Jams

2001 : "Layaway" Jon B. Pleasures U Like
2001 : "The Flyest" Nas Stillmatic

2002 : "Holla Back" with Nawz & Tito Kool G Rap The Giancana Story
2002 : "Keep On Lovin’ You" Dave Hollister ?

2004 : "Redemption" Cormega Legal Hustle

2006 : "Professional Style" The Alchemist Chemistry Files
2006 : "The Hardest Pt. I" Styles P The Ghost Sessions - Mixtape

2007 : "No Holding Back" with Cormega Statik Selektah Spell My Name Right : The Album
2007 : "Who Am I ?" with Nature Cormega Who Am I ?

2008 : " ?" for Foxy Brown’s Album "BK’s Don Diva", not for sure, whether it’ll make the cut for the album

No profanity, or inaproppriate remarks.

AZ, by rugg [2008-04-05 10:32:33]

i must say am lyke azs bigges fan this side of the earth surface. africa luv u, ya heard ! you held the firm down. them other cats don’t peep half the ellagance u bring to poetry.