AZ-9 Lives that lives forever 20 years later.
AZ is a Brooklyn MC, Born Anthony Cruz who solidified his name since the 90s. He sure has a resume where he was Nas Continuous collaborator and was the only feature on his (Nas) impact debut, Illmatic. If hip-hop is a work resume, you would hire him into the game just by his witty lyricism, mafioso cadence (That is what hip-hop is missing. The mafioso persona or lifestyle unified unity in hip-hop because they came together like a mob) and keeping his name in the conversation of top MC’s without doing anything major like T.V appearances. Do or Die (1995) is the debut that the world seen when he used his time to create. Something that is inspiration to how to take a story in an efficient style that captivated listeners. The reason his style is inspirational because he showed it does not take much for the world to relate to your lyrics, grind or resume. AZ is so good at what he does that he out shined Nas (Sorry, he is my top 5 MC ever but AZ showed out on every track he on including 1994’s Lifes a Bitch) and he joined the Firm along with Nas, Foxy Brown, and Nature (who replaced Cormega) on Dr. Dre’s imprint, Aftermath Records. People diss Dr. Dre on that project but I was excited because those four mc’s on Dr. Dre production along with R.Kelly’s production team, Trackmasters was actually dope as a collective.
In 1998. he dropped Pieces of Man which was a album every hip-hop head had in their collection. Growing up in a strict Asian Catholic household, rap music was the devil to strict parents so my parents would stricken me from listening to that type of music because of the fast paced tempo/ lyrics and to them, it is misunderstood. Thank God I have two older brothers because hanging with them helped me hear this clearly but his sophomore was an album that is underrated but easily overlooked. Every time I listen to the track “How ya livin” feat Nas, I felt like taking a cruise to the beach by myself so I can sit their and think about life. His name alone built a staple in hip-hop and even though his 2000 record, S.O.S.A was a bootleg, it was enough to hold his name strong.
9 Lives dropped in June 12, 2001 and this was the 1st AZ album I ever bought. Why? Once I become a teenager, I was allowed to go into a record store and buy these albums without getting carded or asking if my parents were with me. Like any other music fan, we own music to listen, dissect, and comprehend what we hear and find the meaning of why we owned it. Diving into these 14 tracks, here is why we are about to break it down.
Intro
As I sit back, I was expecting Don Corleon to come out and stab someone with an Ice Pick. If you bought this album, It was like you initiated to the mob. I said it to where if Nas is Rakim, AZ is Kool G Rap because that Mafioso cadence and song fits him perfect.
What Cha Day About
One thing that tripped me out was how did the world forget about Ali Vegas? Although AZ showed growth with pure poetry to describe his days, AZ still sticks to his gums and tell’s his story.
I don’t give a fuck
This is that street anthem that a lyrical threat can show vibe too; He has a reason to be in your subwoofers. The Nas sample and scratches from DJ Premier scratches pieces together a vivid song for the streets.
At Night
Good old AZ delivery is smooth on this record. I compare this to Mase’s verse on Mo Money Problems where he teaches future rappers how to approach a beat. When AZ starts, he glides like “ Nice and Smooth. White Nike’s Icy Jewels/ So cool but the baddest shit ignite my fuel”, ( AZ Quiet Money, 2018), AZ delivers the most ferocious bars.
AZ’s Back
Back in the city early 2000’s, more people were clubbing and this is a club song for the hustlers to enjoy their scenery. AZ impressed me with his fast flow and this Brooklyn native proved he can hang with other Brooklyn legends like Hov, Big, Fabolous, & my personal favorite Brooklyn rapper, Shyne Po. Although none of them appear on this record, they would salute AZ for dropping this.
Problems
When AZ compared himself to Alpo in 1984, you know he is taking it back to the hustle. Problems is a song that acknowledges a hustlers stress and even if your the man, there is still pressure.
Everything’s Everything
It wasn’t 2001 unless Joe did your hook. This song should of been in the Fast and the Furious flick because this is a street racing anthem. Ironically, There were street races in the music video. Line I relate to is “ Taperfade, Just got a face that ain’t fit for braids”, (AZ Quiet Money, 2018). Taper Fades are still huge today and AZ made it seem that some people are not fit for braids. The remix is sick feat. Nas. Shout out DJ Envy for adding this to his mixtape.
That’s Real
A collaboration with Beanie Siegal made this a hardcore hit between the two East Coast titans.
What y’all niggas want
Fox Boogie Brown. Two of the four Firm members, better suit up because the mafia has showed up. AZ also reminds y’all Sugar Hill is still standing strong.
Let’s Toast
The Mafioso personality in AZ makes me want to recline in my chair with a cigar in my mouth. I felt lets toast is an actual toast to the hustlers, mobsters, and thug’s running the streets that managed to survive. Not to mention, he says” life is like dice. Some win and some lose”, (AZ Quiet Money, 2018), he spits facts.
How Many Wanna
A collaboration with Major Coins member and Rocafella’s first lady, Amil is a song dedicated to them boujee girls. She delivers great presence on a song as AZ describes his type of women he is interest in.
Love Me
Soul samples make AZ albums sound melodic. Pure poetry on this song about growth and how far he coame from the street game. To me, he is counting his blessings. This is a song about reminiscing on his past and it is an audio memoir on a hustler coming up.
Quiet Money TBS
The sample with the right chops made this a street anthem that I can see people in Sugar Hill getting money to. This is a posse cut for him and his people
Outro
Sosa letting y’all’s know he is not done.
- Overall
Twenty years later, I still get replay value. From ear phones, stereo, CD Player, or even streaming, AZ worked hard to prove who is elite. Although AZ is not in the conversation with Nas, Hov, or Big, AZ deserves his flowers and he is a threat in the east side. Despite notoriety and exposure to hip-hop fans, he delivered some of the best stories hip-hop heard. Hopefully for the young generation, let AZ story telling influence those to be creative.
Live From The Stove Top,
Andrew Kenekham AKA Druski Dru
Reference
AZ Quiet Money (2018) I don’t give a fuck [Video File] Retrieved from youtube.com
AZ Quiet Money (2018) Everything’s Everything [Video File] Retrieved from youtube.com
AZ Quiet Money (2018) How ya Living feat Nas [Video File] Retrieved from youtube.com
