Veteran rapper AZ has been making waves since the release of Doe Or Die II, collaborating with hip-hop heavyweights across the industry. The iconic artist is back with a brand new single, “This Is Why,” set to drop soon, offering a fresh taste of his lyrical prowess.
But that’s not all; AZ has exciting news for his fans. He has officially announced the release date for his upcoming album, “Truth Be Told,” slated for Dec. 1, 2023. This album promises to showcase AZ’s evolution as an artist while staying true to his roots. Notably, “Truth Be Told” will feature collaborations with the likes of Fat Joe and Pharoahe Monch, raising anticipation for what’s to come. AZ’s return to the music scene is sure to be a memorable one.
The first taste is the “This Is Why” single, which you can hear below.
Throughout his distinguished and influential career, AZ has been nominated for Grammy’s, and won one for his contribution “Full Circle,” to The Firm reuniting track from Nas’ Kings Disease, which won the Grammy for Best Rap Album of 2020, sold millions of albums, created hit singles and lent his velvety voice, and street poetry to some of Hip-Hop’s most timeless music.
It had been a decade since AZ graced fans with an album, but his long-teased sequel, Doe Or Die II, became one of 2021’s undeniable success stories. Featuring appearances and production from Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, 2 Chainz, T-Pain, The Alchemist, Conway The Machine, Dave East, Pete Rock, Statik Selektah, Idris Elba, Bink, Buckwild, Kaygee, Heatmakerz, Rockwilder, and Baby Paul, Doe Or Die II was a mainstay at the top of the DSP charts upon its release.
Since the release of Doe Or Die II, AZ has appeared on Westside Gunn’s HWH8 B-Side (“99 Avirex” which also featured Stove God Cooks, Rick Ross’ Richer Than I Ever Been Deluxe album (“Vacheron”), Statik Selektah’s Round Trip Album “(Historic” with Ransom), and most recently on Tony Touch’s The Def Tape Soundtrack (“Rampage 2.0”) for Def Jam’s Mixtape Documentary.
Now, AZ is back with a new single. “This Is Why,” and he has also announced that he will release his new album, Truth Be Told, on 12-1-23. AZ continues to refine and update his style with Truth Be Told, and the forthcoming album will also feature collaborations with Fat Joe and Pharoahe Monch.
“There is no amount of money that can measure up to the feeling of a natural heavenly bliss of euphoria,” AZ adds. “This Is Why I’m Fly!”
After contributing production on both Doe Or Die and Doe Or Die II, AZ recruited a familiar name to produce all of Truth Be Told, as the legendary, and Grammy-nominated producer Buckwild handles all of the production. Aside from cooking up classics with AZ, Buckwild has also produced classics for The Notorious B.I.G. “I Gotta Story To Tell”, Black Rob “Whoa,” OC’s “Times Up,” and Organized Konfusion’s “Stress,” and has produced for artists such as Jay-Z, Nas, 50 Cent, Diddy, Mase, Fat Joe, Big Pun, Big L, Jadakiss, The Game, Method Man & Redman, Terror Squad, Beanie Sigel, Faith Evans, Kool G Rap, Cormega, Capone-N-Noreaga, Raekwon and Little Brother.
AZ’s new single, “This Is Why,”(produced by Buckwild) is now available!
AZ’s forthcoming album, Truth Be Told, will be released on 12-1-23.
On this date in 1995, Antonio Cruz aka AZ from Nas’ “Life’s A Bitch” fame, released his debut album Doe Or Die on EMI Records.
Produced by legendary producers Pete Rock, DITC’s Buckwild, LES, D.R. Period as well as AZ himself, AZ was able to land the deal for this album strictly off of the classic verse he spits on the third track on the iconic Illmatic album.
Tracks sucks as the Pete Rock propelled “Rather Unique”, the dreamy “Sugar Hill”, which features then-unknown songbird Miss Jones and the street fueled “Mo Money, Mo Murder, Mo Homocide” gave this album a verbal variety that was rarely heard, especially from an emcee who was only known at the time for a guest appearance.
A special salute to AZ for holding it down for dolo for an entire quarter of a century, even managing to orchestrate a 15 year anniversary of the album in 2010 on his own Quiet Money imprint, featuring production from the likes of Statik Selektah and Fame of M.O.P.
As Hip-Hop continues to be celebrated with its 50 year anniversary this year, it’s important to pay homage to the real spitters of the rap game. Insert AZ, who’s here to declare his place once and for all.
A true legend in Hip-Hop, real nameAnthony Cruz is best known for being a member of the group The Firm, alongside Nas and Foxy Brown. His multi-syllabic rhyming pattern and storytelling in his lyrics are what separates him from the rest, and he continues to unleash hard-hitting bangers for his dedicated fanbase.
Now, AZ returns to release his newest single and visual called “GOAT,” the lead single off his fortchoming project titled Truth Be Told. “GOAT” not only showcases his rapping ability and talents, but also gives you a preview on how the rest of his masterpiece will be laid out.
AZ states, “The ‘GOAT’ best described my state of mind., Elite lyricism thru the years that aged like fine wine, matching my lifestyle & growth from the birth city of Hip Hop where Respect is earned not giving- AZ.”
In defining GOAT, he states that “greatness is the quality of being great, distinguished, or eminent. Greatest Of All Times. GOD Over All Things. GOD Over All of Them.”
On this date in 1972, Anthony “AZ” Cruz was born in Brooklyn, New York. Cruz, who became known as AZ as a shortened way to say Asiatic, his righteous attribute from the 5% Nation.
AZ was first heard on Nas’ iconic Illmatic LP on the L.E.S. produced “Life’s A Bitch”. AZ’s verse was so transformative, it landed him a deal with EMI Records in 1994. His first LP, Doe Or Die, earned the street savvy East New Yorker a gold plaque, lead by the infectious single “Sugar Hill” featuring Miss Jones. AZ was also a major part of the legendary collective The Firm, which included Nas, Nature, Foxy Brown and was produced exclusively by Dr. Dre.
Just a couple of years following the commemoration of Doe Or Die 2, which was issued on the 25th anniversary of the original Doe Or Die, AZ says that there is still a possibility of a joint album with him and Nas.
Hip Hop’s golden era constituent, Queens’ native, the godfather of Mafioso rap, legendary and influential emcee Kool G Rap, broke out in the late 80s and early 90s as one-half of the duo with DJ Polo. Together, Kool G Rap and DJ Polo released three undisputed classic albums, beginning with their debut album, Road To The Riches (1989), Wanted: Dead or Alive (1990) and Live and Let Die (1992).
Simultaneously, G Rap and DJ Polo gained notoriety as members of the Juice Crew, whose noteworthy membership includes DJ Marley Marl, Big Daddy Kane, Masta Ace, and Roxanne Shante At the height of hip-hop’s golden age, The Juice Crew was the definition of innovative and not only influenced the culture as a whole (style, lyricism, creativity), but also impressed the importance of style, substance, and technique upon the next wave of street ambassadors.
After a successful run with DJ Polo and the Juice Crew, G Rap embarked on a solo career, with his solo debut, 4, 5, 6, (1995), which was preceded by Roots of Evil (1998) and The Giancana Story (2002). Since then, we’ve only been intermittingly blessed by bodies of work from the Kool Genius Of Rap; Half a Klip (2008), Riches, Royalty, Respect (2011), Return Of The Don (2017) and Son Of G Rap with 38 Spesh (2018).
Now, the recent National Hip-Hop Museum inductee returns with his first solo album in five years with Last Of A Dying Breed, which features collaborations with AZ, Sean Price, NEMS, Vado, 38 Spesh, Royal Flush, and Big Daddy Kane, with production supplied by Domingo.
It looks like Logic is going to have plenty of new material to perform on his upcoming Vinyl Verse Tour with Wiz Khalifa. In addition to the previously released singles “Therapy Music,” “Orville,” and “Bleed It,” his upcoming album Vinyl Days will host a whopping 30 tracks, closing out his time at Def Jam with one hell of a bang. Seriously, we know albums have been trending longer for the sake of streaming algorithms, but this is either ridiculous or impressive — depending on your opinion of the Maryland rapper.
Among the guests featured on the album are rap legends, contemporary stars, and underground stalwarts, making it one of the most well-rounded representations of the music business today. Action Bronson, AZ, Blu & Exile, Curren$y, DJ Premier, The Game, Langston Bristol, Nezi Momodu, Royce Da 5’9, Russ, RZA, and Wiz Khalifa all make appearances, along with Bobby Boy Records signees iamJMARS, Big Lenbo, and C Dot Castro.
