Note: Article previously published on https://www.90shiphopjunkie.com/ and vegan520737422.wordpress.com
— Mel B
In the history of Hip-Hop, there are few MCs who have dropped as many flawless verses as AZ. There are also few who have displayed the same level of integrity. He’s never tried to fit into anyone else’s prescribed mold of what they want Hip-Hop to sound like. He’s done his own thing, carved out his own lane, and his fans have stayed loyal. He’s in the rotation of any true Hip-Hop head, with a couple of joints that the mainstream can get down to. His most mainstream tracks are tracks that true heads don’t need to skip either, though.
So, why hasn’t AZ reached that level of fame that seemed so certain to happen for him after ‘Doe Or Die’ was released? Well, that might depend on how you define fame, and in the case of AZ, maybe that’s a good place to start.
What is fame? Is it how much money you flash? How many top 10 tracks you have? Platinum sales? Cars? Or is it something else? What is it? The truth is, fame is what brings all of those things, and it’s fleeting. It’s dependent on the masses, and at the end of the day that doesn’t necessarily mean anything, especially when it comes to an artist’s legacy. What ultimately matters is the art created, not the level of fame. When you can touch people with your music every time, they stay faithful to your work, and you make some money in the process — that’s lasting. That’s a legacy. There are artists in every genre who do this for their fans, and sure, some are the biggest names in music. Others are perhaps lesser-known to the masses — maybe even underrated — but to those who follow them, they are a huge deal. When it comes to Hip-Hop, AZ is one of the finest MCs to come out of Brooklyn. He’s one of your favourite rapper’s favourite rappers. An MC who always comes through with the real goods. AZ is the perfect example of what it looks like to build a lasting legacy, with integrity.
Doe Or Die is a great album. It’s always in my rotation. AZ is an artist who has managed to evolve brilliantly from album to album, though. You’ll never hear anyone who knows his catalogue mention how great his first album was, and then stop there. When ‘Pieces of a Man’ came out, AZ was on another level, yet again. There are a lot of artists who make references to gangster flick favourites like ‘Scarface’ in their music. Pretty much everyone, really, and it’s always cool to check the way an artist flips this when they make their references. It’s a part of the culture. Most artists draw parallels between themselves and Tony Montana, though. AZ is the first rapper that I can personally recall, who memorably drew a parallel between himself and Alejandro Sosa — the man with the huge empire who stayed under the radar, and ultimately took Tony Montana out (never get high on your own supply — you know the story). I looked at him a bit differently from that point on, and his place in the game made more sense to me. He didn’t need the fame, he just needed heads to take a tour through his body of work and sample the goods. Right away they’d know it was ‘class A shit’ — or in this case — ‘class AZ shit’.
How do you choose a favourite AZ track? I don’t know. Can you do it based on producer? Maybe in part, but not entirely because he can flow on tons of beats with ease. Sure, some bring out his best better than others, but from Preemo, to Pete Rock, to LES, to Trackmasters, to Buckwild, to Goldfinga & Gucci Jones, this man flows with bars of silk, painting pictures with words and telling stories that stay with you (seriously, put on ‘The Payback’, and try to get that one out of your head once it’s over). My favourite producer is Preemo, so it has to be said (purely due to my own bias — I own it) that AZ is one of the best on a Preemo beat. AZ doing duo tracks with Nas (my favourite MC) is always something to look forward to as well. Instant classics every time. So, case in point, choosing your favourite AZ tracks is likely to be a subjective mission. I would probably have to pick ‘The Come Up’, ‘The Payback’, ‘How Ya Livin”, ‘The Format’, and ‘Your World Don’t Stop’. Honourable mention to ‘Sosa’, of course. (What are your favourite AZ tracks? Comment below.)
So, is AZ really underrated? When I first set out to write this article, I was 100% sure that the answer was yes. Now that I’ve revisited his catalogue from beginning to end, checked the interviews and documentaries, and reached out to some others who are true fans…I’m not so sure. This man gets real love from real heads — and lots of it. The GOATs aren’t always the ones who are right in front of you at all times. Often, they’re the legend in the background, calling the shots, and running their own empire — quietly (quietAZmoney, right?). AZ is a Sosa in an industry full of Tony Montanas. All are successful, admirable, and making an impact, sure. Not all have quite the same staying power though, and definitely not all get the same kind of respect that AZ does.
Underrated? I don’t think so. Underestimated? Absolutely.
Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait too much longer for ‘Doe Or Die 2’.
Mel B
The premier destination for healthy Hip-Hop heads. When it comes to music and health, you’ll only find the realest here! View all posts by Hip-Hop Rx
Published December 3, 2018
Originally published at vegan520737422.wordpress.com on December 3, 2018.
