Customer Reviews

Doe Or Die

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

I am reviewing this album years after its release and so I have the luxury of knowing the impact this album has had on hip hop over time.
AZ was introduced to the world at large on Nas' "Life's a Bi*ch" track on the classic Illmatic album. After hearing that flow, people wanted to hear more from this cat.
Enter "Doe Or Die". This album boasts some classic tracks, both on the underground and mainstream levels. "Sugar Hill", with Miss Jones, was the most commercially successful track on the album. "Doe Or Die" was then the next track for which a single and a video were done. Both tracks are classics. "Rather Unique", a Pete Rock track sampling the cool electronic keys of Les McCann, is an underground gem.
AZ's rhymes are flawlessly delivered and the production is solid and soulful. It seems to me as though AZ has forever been trying to reach the mainstream with his music. Recent albums have proven that will never happen, but his true fans like things better thay way.

great rhymes and awesome production all the way through. Definately on point, throughout the entirety of the album.
AZ was unlucky this did not hit the big time, but regardless sold as much as Illmatic did (250,000) when it first came out. Unfortunately, he's second cd didn't recieve as much praise of success, although it's got easily 10 classic songs on it, and only 2 or three weak ones which come right at the start, which set a bad tone for the listener i guess...
AZ's best cd is this, followed by AZiatic, then pieces of a man, 9 Lives is his worst cd easily...

He's got a new cd coming soon, I can't wait...

peace,

Skipping the intro, "Uncut Raw" has AZ rapidly spitting out of this world lyrics - "This is as pure as opion purified" "Puffin exotic trees without seeds rolled up in leaf paper" - very entertaining beginning. He and Nas pair up for two collaborations in "Gimmie Yours" & the timeless "Mo Money Mo Muder Homicide" "Rather Unique" has a laid back beat with perfect lyricism and a catchy hook. "Got a style sick as hell, sicker than sickle cell anemia, slaughter your circulatory like lukemia" amazing. Throughout this entire album AZ brings lyrics that bless all ears. Why is he so overlooked? Hmm maybe Nas is right Hip Hop is Dead... This album packs several five star hits in my eyes, but does mistep with the "sugarhill remix" (new beat, same lyrics). One version is enough for me. Anyway, this man's wordplay is incredible.

I reccomend Lil Jon to anyone who doesn't enjoy this album, because you obviously don't like Hip Hop.

This album is a pure hip-hop classic. As most of you already know, AZ is a long-time Nas collaborator, and first appeared on Nas's Illmatic, on the track "Life's A Bitch." This was one of the most anticipated debuts in 1995, and unfortunately, the sales didn't match AZ's hype. A number of reasons could explain this, but I don't want to get into them.

What I do want to say is that this album is full of hip-hop gems galore. From one of my all-time favorite tracks, "Mo' Money, Mo' Murder 'Homicide'" to the summertime anthem, "Sugar Hill," this album shines in all aspects. The production for each song fits AZ's flow and lyrics perfectly. And, when it comes to lyrics, AZ is one of the most underrated lyricists in the game. When it comes to the best rapper from Queens, he, Nas, and Prodigy are neck to neck.

AZ is still releasing quality releases on a nearly-year basis, but this remains the best album in his large catalogue. I can't stress it enough... everyone should pick up this album, and support real hip-hop.

This joint consists of fat Cuban havanas and ice-chilled magnums of Moet. Cognac-smooth beats and the skills of AZ the rhymer, push this disc to the rap summit. High altitude attitudes - you'll even hear Mr. Gore-Tex himself, the illmatic Nas Escobar on belay! These eloquent lyrical urban dudes verbally ice axe their new school trail up the rap kingdom's most extreme mountain, AZ and his Suga' Hill Posse invade the booming elevations of hiphop like some kind of mad-style crazy rap Sherpas!

Call it hiphop aristocracy. Lifestyles of the break beatin' famous. THE East-Side's eloquent verbal dominator AZ comes correct on this 95 classic! He's a rapid fire, machine gun rapper, and yes indeedy - AZ packs the required daily dosage of hiphop firepower. Fire this one up on a Saturday night in front the fire with ol' girl - cuz it's all about hiphop love. I say to you, from here in the land of MTV's Real World: Snap this one up like a hungry Free Willy unleashed at SeaWorld with squirming bucket full of tuna! Ahhh yeah, AZ be finger lickin' good! END

If you want an album that could embody the early 90's hip hop scene on the east coast "Doe Or Die" would be one of them. It is amazing how underrated AZ is, he is as under rated as Kool G Rap. It seems like AZ was built to tell street tails and that is what he does on "Uncut Raw" this song is like his version of "N.Y. State of Mind." this whole album is unbelievable, from relaxing tunes like "Rather Unique" and "Sugar Hill" to songs that are politically charged such as "We Can't Win" you will not skip a track and i bet that you will rewind a whole song 10 times just to hear his voice that was made for rap because i did it on "I Feel For You" so if you don't have this album you need to get it.

This album reminds me of why I miss 90s hip hop. Ever since his guest appearance on Illmatic, AZ has been considered by me & some others as one of the best in the game. Tight lyrics, strong production, you just can't go wrong with this album. If your a fan of early Nas, Jay-Z, Biggie, and just 90s rap in general, this is a must have to your collection.

I have always liked AZ the first time I heard him on Illmatic. He has to be one of the most underated rappers in the game for sure. He is still doing his thing and it has been over 13 years now. The two cuts that I really like is Sugar Hill and Rather Unique. I can say that Sugar Hill is a classic hip hop song and always goes on a mix cd when it comes time to make one from the 90's. AZ is till putting out goos music and seems to have his spark back and a buzz about him.

Coming off his hit on Illmatic's "Life's a Bitch", AZ drops Do or Die in 95. AZ had some good joints on here but it lacks the hits and cohesiveness of Illmatic.

Top Joints:
Mo Money, Mo Murder
Rather Unique
Just Gimme
Sugar Hill
Ho Happy Jackie