Biography:
AZ was born Anthony Cruz to an African-American mother and a Dominican father. Although he had been rapping since 1992, AZ first came to prominence by appearing on Nas' landmark album Illmatic on the song "Life's a Bitch" (1994)—he was the only guest emcee to appear on that album. After a bidding war, AZ signed with EMI, and soon released Doe Or Die (1995) to more critical acclaim than commercial sales. The album's lead single, "Sugar Hill", became AZ's only major commercial success as a solo artist, reaching the top 25 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and achieving Gold status. AZ's EMI contract was transferred to sister label Noo Trybe Records/Virgin Records when the EMI Label Group was shut down.
In 1997, he and Nas appeared in an Sprite commercial.
AZ's fanbase grew considerably after he joined The Firm, a supergroup comprised of AZ, Nas, Foxy Brown, and Nature, with Dr. Dre and The Trackmasters producing. The Firm's only album, The Album, was regarded as critically disappointing. Pieces of a Man, AZ's second solo release, didn't sell well. Independently, AZ released S.O.S.A. to little fanfare in 2000. Soon, however, AZ signed with Motown/Universal Records and released 9 Lives.
In 2002, he released Aziatic. A single from the album, "The Essence," was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. The video to its first single, "I'm Back," received moderate MTV2 play. AZ was supposed to release an album titled Final Call, around late 2004 or early 2005. Due to massive bootlegging, however, the album was never released. Instead, A.W.O.L. was released on September 6, 2005. This album featured many tracks that were on the unreleased Final Call, as well as some new ones—the first single was the DJ Premier-produced "The Come Up," and it became a moderately popular single.
AZ's sixth solo album The Format , was released on November 7, 2006.
Since The Format, AZ has released a mixtape titled The Memphis Sessions and a J-Love mixtape titled The Return of S.O.S.A. His latest album Undeniable will be released in early 2008.
Style:
AZ is known for his smooth, rhythmic cadence of delivery. He is also known for his use of multi-syllable rhyme schemes, internal rhymes, unconventional rhymes, and a large vocabulary. AZ is "one of the greatest rappers as far as lyrics and longevity", his style and flow are instantly recognizable and comparable to his friend and collaborator Nas.
Albums:
* 1995: Doe Or Die
* 1997: The Firm: The Album
* 1998: Pieces Of A Man
* 2000: S.O.S.A. (Save Our Streets AZ)
* 2001: 9 Lives
* 2002: AZiatic
* 2004: Final Call (unreleased)
* 2005: A.W.O.L.
* 2006: The Format
* 2007: Memphis Sessions (Remixtape)
* 2008: Undeniable
* 2009: Legendary
* 2009: G.O.D. (Gold, Oil & Diamonds)
Can't Stop
AZ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No matter what I keep tellin' myself
What's the use of me of me foolin' myself?
No matter what I keep tellin' myself
What's the use of me of me foolin' myself?
No matter what I keep tellin' myself
What's the use of me of me foolin' myself?
No matter what I keep tellin' myself
I don't believe this
I'm makin all these moves
For what?
I do me for a G Note, niece, she's yellin' Nemo
Mama bear, she there, losin' hair cause of the chemo
Every door buzz, little 'cause see at the peek hole
Swearin' he holdin' heavy, hidin' out from the RICO
Coke sold by Chico out the corner bodega
Him 'n Bobbito, la familia now finito!
It's deep tho, its like my soul was stole by the repo'
Resowed in Carlito, and retold on Tivo
Ice cold wit a ego, dice rolled and somebody's Deebo'd
Trios expose dikes on the D' Low
It's love wit my amigos, other niggas they freeload
Yeah he hold, but my homeys only unload torpedoes
So please yo, I'm from the killa' cap of the kilos
Where nigga's clap, and fat bitches get yapped for
Their cheetos, it's real
But still blocks is hot like veal
So cock block, or cop shot, nothin' stops the P.O
What's the use of me of me foolin' myself?
Lalalalala
Lalalalalalala
No matter what I keep tellin' myself
Won't stop
Can't stop)
What's the use of me of me foolin' myself?
Lalalalala
Lalalalalalala
No matter what I keep tellin' myself
Can't stop
Won't stop
What's the use of me of me foolin' myself?
Lalalalala
Lalalalalalala
No matter what I keep tellin' myself
Won't stop
Can't stop
What's the use of me of me foolin' myself?
Lalalalala
Lalalalalalala
No matter what I keep tellin' myself
Can't stop
Won't stop
Wifey want an abortion, her parents divorcin'
Granted, I understand it, but my mans in a coffin
Who planned it?
I guess they panicked, 'cause they left him in Boston
He died for a pie, identified by his porcelains
It's caution, Unc' just got a chunk of some fortune
Bossin', I guess the paper supportin' extortin'
Tossin' it to them dealers, takin' it like Lakers did Portland
Cases is costin', so faces won't make it for talkin'
It's basics, they mistake once they replace it for flossin'
It soften, never high when dividin' my portion
Why forever fly till I die, dry from exhaustion
Move accordin', like they keys on a organ
No sneezin' or coughin', I weeze when I'm walkin', indeed
We under siege from those D's cause they stalkin'
Cars is auctioned, homes is seized
OG's extortin' the seeds, now it's the new breed absorbin'
What's the use of me of me foolin' myself?
Lalalalala
Lalalalalalala
No matter what I keep tellin' myself
Won't stop
Can't stop
What's the use of me of me foolin' myself?
Lalalalala
Lalalalalalala
No matter what I keep tellin' myself
Can't stop
Won't stop
What's the use of me of me foolin' myself?
Lalalalala
Lalalalalalala
No matter what I keep tellin' myself
Won't stop
Can't stop
What's the use of me of me foolin' myself?
Lalalalala
Lalalalalalala
No matter what I keep tellin' myself
Can't stop
Won't stop
The names is changed, the games the same
It's playin' fair, but years of Nightmares, like Dana Dane
It ain't clear, but I'm right here still and sayin' the same
Refusin' to shed a tear, tho the pain done came
Provin' I played the game, from cocaine to fame
From rope chains, gazelli frames, I remain to blame
It's deep, but never speak certain names in vein
I know beef, and when it peak, it can strain the brain
No police, it's just creep creep, bang for bang
No grief, brothers deceased, others arraigned and hang
None of us just eatin', maintain the strains
The streets is just the streets, when it rain it rain
What's the use of me of me foolin' myself?
Lalalalala
Lalalalalalala
No matter what I keep tellin' myself
Won't stop
Can't stop
What's the use of me of me foolin' myself?
Lalalalala
Lalalalalalala
No matter what I keep tellin' myself
Can't stop
Won't stop
What's the use of me of me foolin' myself?
Lalalalala
Lalalalalalala
No matter what I keep tellin' myself
Won't stop
Can't stop
What's the use of me of me foolin' myself?
Lalalalala
Lalalalalalala
No matter what I keep tellin' myself
Can't stop
Won't stop
The song “Can’t Stop” by AZ is a narrative about the harsh realities of street life and the struggles that come along with it. Throughout the song, the rapper tries to come to terms with the obstacles he faces and how they affect his life in various ways. The recurring lyrics “What’s the use of me foolin’ myself? No matter what I keep tellin’ myself” highlights his sense of hopelessness, and his inability to escape his current situation.
Furthermore, the song contains a range of references specifically, to the devastation caused by drug addiction, and the loss of friends and loved ones. For instance, “Wifey want an abortion, her parents divorcin’, granted, I understand it, but my mans in a coffin” is a direct reference to the rapper’s conflict between his love for his girlfriend and his mourning for his deceased friend.
The song ends with a tone of perseverance as AZ emphasizes the need to continue pushing forward despite the seemingly insurmountable obstacles he faces. Although the struggles of street life are ever-present, the rapper suggests that it is necessary to “accept the pain” and keep moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
What's the use of me of me foolin' myself?
Why should I keep lying to myself?
No matter what I keep tellin' myself
Even though I keep repeating it to myself
I don't believe this
I don't actually believe it
I'm makin all these moves
For what?
I'm taking all these actions for what purpose?
I do me for a G Note, niece, she's yellin' Nemo
I do what I want for a thousand dollars, while my female friend is calling for someone named Nemo.
Mama bear, she there, losin' hair cause of the chemo
My mother is present, losing her hair due to chemotherapy.
Every door buzz, little 'cause see at the peek hole
Whenever someone is at the door, I see a small figure through the peephole.
Swearin' he holdin' heavy, hidin' out from the RICO
A person is claiming to have illegal drugs they are hiding from law enforcement doing undercover work for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
Coke sold by Chico out the corner bodega
Chico sells cocaine from the corner store.
Him 'n Bobbito, la familia now finito!
Chico and Bobbito are no longer friends and their mafia family has been destroyed.
It's deep tho, its like my soul was stole by the repo'
It's profound, as if my soul was taken by the repossession agents.
Resowed in Carlito, and retold on Tivo
Left in Carlito's hands and then it is recorded on TV (Tivo).
Ice cold wit a ego, dice rolled and somebody's Deebo'd
I'm cold and full of myself. People are taking their chances with dice games and a man named Deebo is being robbed.
Trios expose dikes on the D' Low
Three people caught some women by surprise and turned the knife on them (dikes on the D' Low).
It's love wit my amigos, other niggas they freeload
I love my friends, but other people just take advantage of us.
Yeah he hold, but my homeys only unload torpedoes
Yeah, the other guy might have a gun, but my friends are packing a much bigger punch.
So please yo, I'm from the killa' cap of the kilos
Listen, I am from the most dangerous place when it comes to drug trafficking.
Where nigga's clap, and fat bitches get yapped for
Their cheetos, it's real
Where people get shot and overweight women get robbed for their bags of Cheetos, it is a harsh reality.
But still blocks is hot like veal
Even so, the streets are on fire like meat in a hot pan.
So cock block, or cop shot, nothin' stops the P.O
Either obstruct the police or take them out, they won't be stopped.
Wifey want an abortion, her parents divorcin'
My wife wants an abortion and her parents are getting a divorce.
Granted, I understand it, but my mans in a coffin
Understandably, I know why she wants it, but my friend is dead and buried.
Who planned it?
Who is responsible for this?
I guess they panicked, 'cause they left him in Boston
I think they got scared and abandoned him in Boston.
He died for a pie, identified by his porcelains
He was killed over a drug deal and his body was identified by his dental records.
It's caution, Unc' just got a chunk of some fortune
People are being careful, but my uncle just came into a large sum of money.
Bossin', I guess the paper supportin' extortin'
He is spending money carelessly and some people are being extorted with it.
Tossin' it to them dealers, takin' it like Lakers did Portland
He's giving it out to drug dealers, like how the Los Angeles Lakers defeated Portland in a basketball game.
Cases is costin', so faces won't make it for talkin'
Legal fees are expensive, so people refuse to testify.
It's basics, they mistake once they replace it for flossin'
People make mistakes when they try to show off.
It soften, never high when dividin' my portion
It can become easy, but I'm always alert and focused on my share.
Why forever fly till I die, dry from exhaustion
Why do I have to always be on the go until I'm dead from exhaustion?
Move accordin', like they keys on a organ
I move according to my needs like chords on an organ.
No sneezin' or coughin', I weeze when I'm walkin', indeed
I don't have the luxury of sneezing or coughing, but I'm always out of breath when walking.
We under siege from those D's cause they stalkin'
We are always under threat from the detectives who are stalking us.
Cars is auctioned, homes is seized
OG's extortin' the seeds, now it's the new breed absorbin'
People's cars are sold off, their homes are seized and veterans are forcing their kids to commit crimes. This next generation is being absorbed into the lifestyle.
The names is changed, the games the same
Even if names have changed, the game is always the same.
It's playin' fair, but years of Nightmares, like Dana Dane
I'm trying to play fair, but all these years of nightmares have led me to a desperate situation.
It ain't clear, but I'm right here still and sayin' the same
It's not very clear, but I'm still here and saying the same thing.
Refusin' to shed a tear, tho the pain done came
I refuse to cry, even though the pain has already come.
Provin' I played the game, from cocaine to fame
I'm proving that I played the game, rose from my drug dealer days to super stardom.
From rope chains, gazelli frames, I remain to blame
From gold chains, designer glasses, I'm still held accountable for my actions.
It's deep, but never speak certain names in vein
It runs deep, but I never say certain names in vain.
I know beef, and when it peak, it can strain the brain
I know how dangerous a conflict can get, it can be very stressful and exhausting.
No police, it's just creep creep, bang for bang
There is no police involvement, just silent revenge for every bullet fired.
No grief, brothers deceased, others arraigned and hang
No one takes the time to grieve for the dead, others are arrested and executed for their crimes.
None of us just eatin', maintain the strains
None of us are just living comfortably, we're all struggling to keep our head above water.
The streets is just the streets, when it rain it rain
The streets are the streets, it's just a harsh reality whenever it rains
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Rivera, ANTHONY S. CRUZ, ANTHONY CRUZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike Howard
This song is so motivational ! My word to ALLAH ! This introduction to this song is strikes a familiar cord with me !
Idivine Clark
Me too god!
Anderson Cruz
One of his best tracks, reply value in infinite!!
Haseeb Neelofer
Probably his most technical joint. Love this.
Louis Gutierrez
The last verse written by god himself and handed down ...to the one and only ..AZ
ChainREACTion
this song deserves more views
Lew Cipher
I truly believe this is AZ's magnum opus.
The Implication
Fact. Well, imo, it's one of several but this is probably the best. He's not quite self-deprecating here, but he does express doubt about the present and future and really plays down the typical discussion/glorification of drug trafficking
Philip Khatana
Thank u both
Vision821 K
@The Implication he's not glorifying drug trafficking, i never took this away from his music, in fact to quote himself, "i sold some coke, but it was only to stay afloat"