Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic AZ, September 22, 2001
AZ's debut album is a classic CD in my opinion. 1996 was a good year in hip hop history 'cause that year brought us "It was written", "All eyez on me", "Reasonable doubt" and "Hell on Earth". Now, that's why I think it was a marvellous year. And it was also 1996 which gave us "Doe or die" from the Brooklyn-based Anthony Cruz who we can know from The Firm or as "S.O.S.A.".
His first album contains the ultimate classic hip hop joint 'Sugar Hill' and the title track 'Doe or die' (both videos feature Nas). But not just these songs are good. I must say that all of the tracks are tight. To tell the truth, I didn't like AZ but when I first heard the first beats of 'Uncut raw', I was amazed. Then I heard AZ lyrics and I was totally satisfied with the perfect harmony of beats and lyrics. The whole CD is lyricism at its best hosted by AZ.
My favorite joints are 'Uncut raw', 'Rather unique', 'Sugar Hill', 'Mo money, mo murder, mo homicide' and 'Your world don't stop'. But all the songs are tight.
So, this a 5-star release from the underrated, overshadowed lyrical genious Anthony Cruz known as AZ.
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
AZ- Doe or Die, July 30, 2004
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.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rather Unique, October 19, 2005
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.
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