Customer Reviews

Pieces of a Man

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Overall this is an amazing cd. AZ raps fluidly and with a completely original style. The beats on this album are great, but they have a slightly poppier sound to them. Although i like how they sound, more subtle-minded hip hop fans, to whom i'd reccomend Illmatic or Doe or Die, might not appreciate the smooth crispness in this cd. The songs are generally catchy, especially how ya living," "love is love," "just because," and "last dayz." The album is both a moody dark reflection of life as a hustler, while it maintains a heartfelt an lively sound through some of the tracks. Overall, this is a thorough cd and my favorite of AZ's. I would reccomend it to just about all real hip hop fans who aren't too stuck on singles with catchy hooks that you can hear on the radio. Not that this isn't catchy. But get this cd. Its great.

In a hip hop era where artists want to rap about nothing but their bling-bling and cash flow, you have an incredible MC like AZ who just keeps it down low and yet remains the high in the "most under-rated rapper in the game" contest. This album is incredible, AZ is so good at putting visual pictures in every line he spits, thats why he's the "visualizer." AZ is finally getting more recognition, which he deserves, on his new release "Aziatic." I love the album, but I feel this one is more complete, every verse just sounds so nice and perfect.

This album is perfect to listen to at the house, and an even better CD to ride to. His first single "what's the deal" is a true playas anthem, and likewise for tracks like "How Ya' Livin" (with Nas, incredible) and "The Pay Back" (this song is sick, the beat is a sample from Sade). That's the thing about Sosa, he can change it up for any audience that wants to appreciate his music, the ladies, the playas, hustlas, regular hip hop heads, for the clubs. In songs like "Just Because" can get the party started, and he definetly brings it on the deeper tracks like "The Last Days" (rhymes over R. Kelly "Body Callin" beat) and "Love is Love," which he intertwines his unique, smooth rhyming style with his knowledge and experience of life and blends them together to make powerful songs. Some other goods tracks on the album features Foxy Brown, Nature, & the RZA. Even the first two tracks are basically short intros, and you won't skip through them ever.

This album easily gets 5 stars, I've been a huge fan of AZ ever since his debut on Nas's illmatic. His incredible flow, delivery, and clever lyrics make him one of the brightest stars in the hip hop world today, and its gettin pretty dark in here..

Pieces of a Man was an alright album. But it could have been alot better. For one reason, the album was orginally suppose to come out in the summer of 1997. I thought AZ lead single to that album was Hey AZ featuring SWV. Which was a tighter song compared to the new lead single What's the Deal. Then I found out once I got the long awaiting album that Hey AZ wasn't even on there! After the Firm Album, AZ told a magazine (I think it was the Source) that the Firm's Desperados song was suppose to be on Pieces of a Man. Many people said AZ lack hits on this album. Those where two rap songs that could have brought Pieces of a Man to the top of the charts. In conclusion, AZ and Nas will have to make up their mind when their albums come out. Many of their fans like myself get mad with them for keep changing their release date.

AZ
PIECES OF A MAN

It has been a while since I reviewed anything from the east coast so I decided to go back a little and check out my man AZ's "PIECES OF A MAN".

1.NEW LIFE [ALBUM INTRO]-this more like a short song and not an intro, and it is a great album opener. Goldfinger delivered a great instrumental for AZ to introduce the album. Great opening track.5/5

2.I'M KNOWN-the first full length song of the album is pure east coast underground greatness. AZ kills a nice somewhat eerie instrumental from Goldfinger, this seems like a continuation of the first track. This is certainly another good track.4.5/5

3.HOW YA LIVIN-we follow that last track with a NAS assisted classic, the hits keep coming. Over a nice sampled ["SHOW ME"] instrumental by LES these two great mc's trade verses and create yet another classic collaboration between them. This could have been a good single if it had a video, could have been real cool.5/5

4.TRADING PLACES-Tone & Poke drop a cool Caribbean influenced instrumental for AZ to rip to. This is another good song but I think AZ outshines this production instead of matching it. Don't get me wrong it is good but something about it doesn't mesh well with me, still a good song.4/5

MANASTA INTERLUDE

5.WHAT'S THE DEAL-Tone & Poke return and do a much better job this time and come with a cool smooth beat for AZ. AZ of course kills it and lets his girl know what it is. There is also a good hook to this song, which adds to the potential of the song.4.5/5

HALF A MILL INTERLUDE

6.LOVE IS LOVE-Goldfinger just keeps getting better on this album and drops one of the best beats on the entire with the help of AZ. There is something truly beautiful about the production on this track, it fits AZ's flow perfectly. What makes this track even better is that not only does AZ drop some gems but so does guest and fellow QB representer NATURE. This is one of the better tracks on the album, FIRM.5/5

7.THE PAY BACK-this Gucci Jones produced track is a nice tell of vengeance against someone who wronged AZ. This is a great story type track with a nice Spanish guitar sounding track. This is another highlight of the album, good song.4/5

8.JUST BECAUSE-over a very familiar sample provided by LES AZ drops a nice part style track about girls and balling. This while good and has a very up tempo happy sound to it is not the best song by far on the album. It grows on you and sounds like it could have been a single, a female singer on the hook would have sounded nice on this track. Still a good track and worth a listen.4.5/5

9.SOSA-this has got to be one of his best songs ever, I dare any one to listen to this and not agree. Tone & Poke stepped their game up on this one and created a production that sounds picture perfect for AZ and his flow. This has a nice guitar on it and AZ kills it.5/5

10.IT'S A BOY THING-Tone & Poke are definitely an experimental two, the beat for this song sounds nothing like what you would hear AZ on. And unfortunately it is one of the weaker songs on the album, the beat and hook sort of kill this one for me. AZ does his thing but wastes great lyrics on this track. Also I hate the title to this song.3/5

11.PIECES OF A [BLACK] MAN-this is definitely a step up from the last track. T & P come with a much better production. In fact the beat on here is more of AZ's style that smooth dark kinda sounding instrumental that he is known to destroy. This is no different, AZ does his thing on this song.5/5

12.LAST DAYZ-MONIFA is in the house on this track here, which I believe is the single from the album. And why not over a slow smooth beat from Kenny Smoove and Darryl Young, AZ lets all know what the deal is in these times. And you know Monifa sounds great over this smooth production, her hook is great.5/5

13.WHATEVER HAPPENED [THE BIRTH]-we move from that smooth song into this RZA produced and featured grimy NY track. The beat to this is that WU-TANG style track that RZA is known for. AZ sounds right at home over this very New York sounding track. And of course RZA is right at home over his own production.4.5/5

14.TRIAL OF THE CENTURY-once again AZ goes into story mode and tales a great street tale, and goes into detail like no other. Nashie Myrick dropped a great beat that fits the flow and concept of this song. Foxy Brown drops by for a guest appearance and Panama PI is on the hook. Another good song.4.5/5

15.BETCHA DON'T KNOW-we end things on a more up beat type of song with a cool jazzy instrumental provided by Tony Dofat. AZ does a nice job as expected on this track, but I don't think this was a wise choice for an album closer. Maybe if this would have been in the middle of the album it would have made more sense.4/5

This is a great album and I recommend it to every hip hop fan out there.

AZ's anticipated follow up (after 2 and a half years off)to his classic debut "Doe or Die" is another classic and may even be better (it's close). His delivery is among the best out there and his lyrics are incredible. From the start of the cd to the finish, you stay tuned in and don't want to skip any songs (except maybe 1 that I skip). It has 4 classics, 2 near classics, 2 ok songs and the rest (other then 1) are good. He has some more tight production and not too many guest appearances. Poke & Tone produce 5 songs, Goldfingaz does 3, L.E.S. does 2, and RZA, Nysheim Myrick, Kenny Smoove, Gucci Jones, and Tony Dofat each do 1 song. This is another must have for any hip-hop fan to have in their collection.

#1 - 10 (short but a classic)
#2 - 10 (another classic)
#3 - 8.5 (f/ Nas)
#4 - 9 (has a funny skit in the beginning)
#5 - 9.5 (f/ Kenny Greene - interlude in beginning is off of Half A Mill's (R.I.P.) CD "Milion")
#6 - 9.5 (f/ Nature & Half A Mill (R.I.P.))
#7 - 10 (classic)
#8 -9
#9 - 8.5
#10 - 9
#11 - 10 (another classic)
#12 - 5 (f/ Monifah)
#13 - 8 (f/ RZA)
#14 - 7.5 (f/ Foxy Brown)
#15 - 7.5

b. Anthony Cruz -- around 1973 -- Brownsville, Brooklyn, NY

check all my reviews

I am a hip hop producer and there is no question in my mind that I would want AZ on a track. He has the ability to make even a garbage beat listenable with his rhyme style and lyrics. He had plenty of opportunity to exercise that ability on this album.

With the exception of only a handful of tracks, the bulk of the album consists of weak beat production. "The Payback" is probably the best track on the album, but there are plenty of letdown tracks, including tracks featuring guest spots.

Calling this album a "classic" reveals what a reviewer knows and appreciates about hip hop. Some people feel that anything decent that doesn't attract mainstream interest is somehow a classic. "Doe Or Die" was bordering on a classic. This album is no classic. Got to love AZ's rhymes though. The Visualizer is always on point.

I PLAYED THIS ALBUM FROM FRONT TO BACK. TO BACK TO FRONT. SIDEWAYS, UPSIDE DOWN... ANYWAY I COULD, I LOVE THIS ALBUM & CANT STRESS THAT ENOUGH. AZ IS SO UNDERRATED, ITS UPSETTING BUT IM A FAN 4 LIFE. GET IT I GIVE IT 10 STARS

This is the second endeavor AZ makes to keep his name in the rap game. There are a lot of great songs on this album, but not enough to give it that "classical" stamp of approval. This album maintains the New York vibe like his previous one "Doe or Die" by keeping the rugged beats and street mentality in his flows. The difference with this album amongst the others is that it reveals his thoughts of leaving the street life and pursuing rap and other ventures. In song 9 "SOSA" he says: I rolled dice/Trying to defrost from this cold life/Used to sell coke in the strip, but now I hold mikes/. This album is a must have if you are an AZ fan, if not, after listening to these records you will be.

After taking over 2 1/2 years off, AZ finally returns with his follow-up to his near classic debut, "Doe or Die." Titled "Pieces of a Man," AZ is once again out to prove just how much talent he possess. But will it live up to the hype that surrounded him once his last album dropped?

1. New Life (Album Intro) - No Rating

2. I'm Known - 4.5/5

3. How Ya Livin' (Featuring Nas) - 4.5/5

4. Trading Places/Manasia (Interlude) - 4/5

5. What's the Deal/Half-A-Mil (Interlude) - 4.5/5

6. Love Is Love (Featuring Nature & Half-A-Mil) - Minute+ Intro - 4/5

7. The Pay Back - 4.5/5

8. Just Because - 5/5

9. Sosa - 4.5/5

10. It's a Boy Thing - 4/5

11. Pieces of a (Black) Man - 4.5/5

12. Last Dayz (Featuring Monifah) - 4.5/5

13. Whatever Happened (The Birth) (Featuring The RZA) - 4/5

14. Trial of the Century (Featuring Foxy Brown) - 3.5/5

15. Betcha Don't Know - 4/5

Overall:

60/70

4.5 Stars

AZ delivers another near classic album. Production is crazy for the most part, there are a couple tracks that do lack it though. AZ rips every verse he has and his flow is still sicker than ever. Another great album to add to his catalog. Definitely check it out.

I THINK THE LYRICAL CONTENT WAS HOT YET HE SHOULD HAVE HAD BETTER BEATS. AZ IS UP THERE WITH NAS YET HE DOESN'T GET THE PROPER PUSH FROM THE LABEL . (RATHER UNIQUE ) WAS A TIGHT SONG AND AZ WILL DO FINE IF HE STAYS CONSISTENT LIKE HIS SINGLE IT'S WAR IS REAL TIGHT I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE I COULD SEND HIM OR HIS LABEL SOME OF MY OWN LYRICS! I SPIT SIMILAR TO HIS STYLE .KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AZ!