Doe or Die


Doe or Die is the debut studio album by rapper AZ, released October 10, 1995 on EMI Records. The album features guest appearances by artists such as Nas and Miss Jones, and production from Pete Rock, L.E.S., and Buckwild, among others.

Upon release, Doe or Die received notable critical and commercial success. The album peaked at #15 on the Billboard 200, and #1 on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. Doe or Die produced several singles, including, "Mo Money, Mo Murder, Mo Homicide," "Gimme Yours (remix)," "Doe or Die" and "Sugar Hill" - which was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1995. The album went on to sell over a million copies AZ has planned a sequel for the album entitled Doe or Die 2, which is currently awaiting release.

Content

Alongside Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…, Doe or Die is often considered as one of the prototypical albums of the Mafioso rap subgenre. The album incorporates fictitious tales chronicling the underworld lifestyle of organized crime. These cinematic narratives often depict a mobster's ascent to fame and wealth. Further emphasizing these themes, the cover of Doe or Die portrays AZ as an honoree of an elaborate mob funeral. Within the cover, a stylish portrait of AZ is surrounded by flowers, while the body of the rapper is buried in a casket that contains large amounts of dollars. In addition, the liner notes and the back of the album features images of AZ counting money, drinking expensive wine, and smoking cigars.

AZ (rapper)

Anthony Cruz (born March 9, 1972), better known by his stage name AZ, is an American rapper. Born in Brooklyn, NY. He is known for being a longtime and frequent rhyme partner of Nas, and also a member of hip-hop group The Firm alongside Nas, Foxy Brown, Cormega and Nature.

In a countdown of the 10 Most Underappreciated Rappers—Most Underrated Rappers of All Time, the editors of About.com listed AZ as #1 on the list. He was also included on About.com's list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007), where he was described as "arguably the most underrated lyricist ever."

Music career

AZ first became known by appearing on Nas' landmark 1994 album Illmatic on the song "Life's a Bitch", as well as featuring vocals on the opening track The Genesis. AZ signed with EMI, and soon released his debut album Doe Or Die in 1995 to critical acclaim, but meager commercial success. The album's lead single, "Sugar Hill", became AZ's only major commercial success as a solo artist, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and achieving Gold status. AZ's EMI contract was transferred to sister label Noo Trybe/Virgin Records when the EMI Label Group was shut down. In 1997, he and Nas appeared in a Sprite commercial. Also in 1997 the group The Firm with AZ, Nas, Nature, and Foxy Brown released their only album as a group, The Album. The album featured production from well known producers such as Dr. Dre and the Trackmasters and generated much hype. The group disbanded after just this one album. In 1998 he released his second solo album, Pieces of a Man. The album fared well but did not chart quite as well as his debut and did not feature a crossover single like "Sugar Hill". The same year AZ made a cameo appearance in the movie "Belly" starring Nas, DMX, and Method Man.

Podcasts:

PLAYLIST TIME:

Doe Or Die

by: Az

[AZ the Visualiza]
Yeah, New York Undercover baby
Whole lotta things done changed...
Yeah, there's a lot of people puttin black eyes in the game
Knahmean? Time to do this though...
Check it
I had a block locked, but took a fall now I'm off my feet
I gotta eat, so it's back to these fuckin streets
And I will grow cause I'm an old timer
I bring the drama to any nigga, his babies or his fuckin mama
I got a look like Tevin Campbell
But still I gamble, hustle and scramble
Cause money is muscles in this damn zoo
And in order to make it, you gotta take it
Be the boom blast booze bend or break it but don't fake it
That's why there's no guilt for these trife niggas bloods I spilt
Took what they built, flippin they drug game on tilt
Cause in New York, dealin drugs is a sport
You either sell it, smoke it, shoot up or snort
Either way you're caught
And since I'm in it, now I'm in it to win it; sky's is the limit
No more being some motherfucker's lieutenant
Shit, from this point that's how I feel, I wanna fly
Yeah, it's either doe or die
Chorus: (Repeat 2X)
It's like a jungle sometimes
It's like a jungle sometimes
It's like a jungle sometimes, the weed smoke makes me wonder
How I keep from going under
[AZ the Visualiza]
And all hoods I hang with mix slang in they language
Love, kickin that gang shit, sellin on the same strip
Hustlin hard, no matter how much we hated
So dedicated, even our dreams are drug related
Shit, puff bananas, not even the cops can stand us
Cause of the way we vanish, everytime they come to can us
25 we get the money live - fuck all that funny jive
The streets is our only source to survive
And before any teeny-boppers think about tryin to stop us
I rather put your head, through the propellers of a helicopter
Cause all my peeps be playin for keeps
Straight out the litter, so bitter
these bandits don't even need sweets
Bringin the ruckus, like some mad motherfuckers
Move at night like truckers
When suckers see us, they duck us
Shit, only the real can relate to things a hungry man'll, try
It's either doe or die
Chorus
[AZ the Visualiza]
And ever since I was a tarface baby, watchin Scarface
I dreamed of guns and tons of coke on a car chase
A fat connect with a kingpin Colombian
Plus props from crooked cops, payin him tops not to run me in
Keepin my toaster in a shoulder holster
Havin hoes playin me closer, sexin on a silk sofa
Livin the life of the rich and trife
Rugged but sharp like a kitchen knife
Without stress from some bitchin wife
What a life, that's why I be on what I be on
Always ready to war for a score that's sure to put me on
And until then, I won't seal in what I'm feelin
It was inside that I cried, but now its spillin
I'm goin all out, until I fallout; so much of a menace
when I finish milkin New York I'll have to fall out
On the run, cause I know feds'll try to knock me
and railroad my soul to a hellhole if they got me
But not me, I'm goin out fightin until I fry
From hot lead no lie, like I said it's either doe or die
Chorus
[AZ the Visualiza]
Visualizin the realism of life and actuality
Fuck who's the baddest
A person's status depends on salary
Chorus
[AZ the Visualiza]
If not why not
Either you're in it, or your in the way Baby Pah
New yields, no quills
I want it all..




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