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)βhe 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 onesβthe 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)
Money Makes The World Go Round
AZ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey hey hey hey, hey!
Peter paid Paul, prosecutor's case fall
Trial not needed, tell that loudmouth beat it
Now niggas see it chea! Bow to the cement
Back on the lamb like Shazam here I am
Killa like Cam, got gorillas on the land
Pissing in your pants cause they let a nigga free
Want to say a little grants then just let a nigga be
Low sweaters with the V's, thick alls with the moccs
Down in D.C. cause them doors don't lock
Love get shown, that's right a nigga home
Fresh on the land, SL in the plans
Please understand it's a few years lost
Recession ain't fierce, still new gear costs
Whose here's boss? Can we talk it on another note
Of course about the motherload cause I ain't trying to cut a throat
[Chorus]
Money makes the world go round, I know your lowdown
So fly tiptoe through the town, tear the clubs up
Money makes the world go round, I know your lowdown
So fly tiptoe through the town, tear the clubs up
Money makes the world go round, I know your lowdown
So fly tiptoe through the town, tear the clubs up
Money makes the world go round, I know your lowdown
So fly tiptoe through the town, tear the clubs up
Konvict Muzik, Bad Boy baller
Cash Money millionaire, Roc-a-fella spoiler
Black Wall Streets where the Bravehearts be
G's in my Unit keep my Terror Squad deep
Dipset, D-Block, Quiet Money shit
Hustle hard, Grand Hustle homey ain't no funny shit
Fuck the police, I'm Disturbin' tha Peace
Murda Ink on the sheets, just confirming the beef
Mos Def, rocking Talib niggas in their cribs
Swizz Beat niggas down, get the land on their ribs
For Real/Pharrell, niggas front until the Doctor got to Dre them
The truth from The Roots, let my shooters Andre them
Three thousand shots from the Big Boi glock
It's Ludacris shit, but my CBs don't miss
OG Suge, I'm a Ice-T nigga
Up to no good, a Pisces swigger
I Cap a nigga Corn with the Gemini sag
A Scorp with some horns, got A-quarius swag
Corpse get embalmed, district peel them out the bag then
Place them in a tux and face them straight up
Drove to the sky, I'm supposed to be fly
Fresh head to toe, I'm a let a nigga know
[Chorus]
AZ's "Money Makes the World Go Round" is a contemplation of the power of wealth in contemporary society. He begins by describing a legal victory in court - when "Peter paid Paul," and the prosecution's case fell apart, allowing AZ to walk freely. He then confronts listeners who may have doubted his skills or resented his wealth: "Stop if you ain't got a million in your hand." He goes on to namecheck some of the biggest names in hip-hop at the time, from Roc-a-Fella and Def Jam to Dipset and Bad Boy, highlighting the way that money has allowed them to dominate the music industry.
Ultimately, the song is a critique of the way that financial motivations drive hip-hop and society as a whole, arguing that "money makes the world go round" even as it corrupts and destroys everything it touches.
Line by Line Meaning
Peter paid Paul, prosecutor's case fall
One person bribed another and managed to escape legal punishment due to lack of evidence.
Trial not needed, tell that loudmouth beat it
The accused was so confident in their corrupt scheme that they did not need to go through a trial, and managed to silence any accusers.
Now niggas see it chea! Bow to the cement
People are finally starting to realize how the corrupt system works and are acknowledging the truth.
Back on the lamb like Shazam here I am
Despite getting away with their crimes, the person is still on the run and hiding from the authorities.
Killa like Cam, got gorillas on the land
The person is powerful and dangerous, with many loyal followers who will do their bidding.
Stop if you ain't got a million in your hand
Money is the ultimate measure of success and worth, and those who don't have it are not worth the person's time.
Pissing in your pants cause they let a nigga free
The person's enemies are afraid of them and are intimidated by their power and ability to avoid punishment.
Want to say a little grants then just let a nigga be
Those who don't have money shouldn't try to speak up or make demands, they should just leave the person alone.
Low sweaters with the V's, thick alls with the moccs
The person has expensive taste and enjoys wearing designer clothing and shoes.
Down in D.C. cause them doors don't lock
The person is not afraid to go to the most dangerous areas and take risks, as they believe their power and wealth will protect them.
Love get shown, that's right a nigga home
The person has returned to a place they love and have missed, and they are happy to be there.
Fresh on the land, SL in the plans
The person has new projects and plans in the works, as they continue to expand their influence and wealth.
Please understand it's a few years lost
The person has experienced setbacks and losses in their pursuit of money and power, but they are still determined to succeed.
Recession ain't fierce, still new gear costs
Despite the state of the economy, the person is still able to afford expensive and luxurious items and experiences.
Whose here's boss? Can we talk it on another note
The person wants to discuss their superior power and influence, and is looking for others who can match them.
Of course about the motherload cause I ain't trying to cut a throat
The person is willing to work together with others to achieve a common goal, as long as it doesn't compromise their own status or position.
Money makes the world go round, I know your lowdown
The person values money above all else, and understands that others may have to resort to corrupt or unethical means to obtain it as well.
So fly tiptoe through the town, tear the clubs up
The person enjoys living a luxurious lifestyle and is not afraid to flaunt their wealth and power.
Konvict Muzik, Bad Boy baller
The person is associated with prominent record labels and has connections in the music industry.
Cash Money millionaire, Roc-a-fella spoiler
The person has achieved immense wealth and success in the music industry, and has likely helped other artists achieve success as well.
Black Wall Streets where the Bravehearts be
The person is associated with a community or location where others with similar values and goals congregate.
G's in my Unit keep my Terror Squad deep
The person has a loyal group of followers who are willing to do whatever it takes to protect and serve them.
Dipset, D-Block, Quiet Money shit
The person is associated with other prominent rap groups and has connections throughout the industry.
Hustle hard, Grand Hustle homey ain't no funny shit
The person takes their work and ambitions seriously, and is not interested in playing games or messing around.
Fuck the police, I'm Disturbin' tha Peace
The person has no respect for law enforcement and actively rebels against authority figures and institutions.
Murda Ink on the sheets, just confirming the beef
The person has been involved in violent confrontations and is proud of their reputation as a fierce, dangerous individual.
Mos Def, rocking Talib niggas in their cribs
The person is associated with prominent and respected hip-hop artists who support their message and goals.
Swizz Beat niggas down, get the land on their ribs
The person has been involved in violent confrontations and is not afraid to get physically aggressive to achieve their goals.
For Real/Pharrell, niggas front until the Doctor got to Dre them
Other rappers and music producers have tried to compete with the person but have ultimately failed to match their success and influence.
The truth from The Roots, let my shooters Andre them
The person's followers are willing to do whatever it takes to protect and defend their leader, even if it means resorting to violence.
Three thousand shots from the Big Boi glock
The person is not afraid to use violent means to achieve their goals and eliminate their enemies.
It's Ludacris shit, but my CBs don't miss
The person is confident in their abilities and is not afraid to take risks, even if they seem crazy or impossible to others.
OG Suge, I'm a Ice-T nigga
The person sees themselves as an influential and respected figure in the rap and hip-hop community, like Suge Knight and Ice-T.
Up to no good, a Pisces swigger
The person is unapologetically pursuing their own interests and goals, regardless of whether they are considered ethical or moral by others.
I Cap a nigga Corn with the Gemini sag
The person is skilled at manipulating and controlling others through their own unique approach and style.
A Scorp with some horns, got A-quarius swag
The person is both powerful and unique, and they enjoy standing out and being different from others.
Corpse get embalmed, district peel them out the bag then
The person is not afraid to use violence and intimidation to eliminate anyone who stands in their way or poses a threat to their success.
Place them in a tux and face them straight up
The person enjoys showing off their power and influence, even when it means publicly displaying the bodies of their enemies.
Drove to the sky, I'm supposed to be fly
The person is confident in their own abilities and potential, and enjoys showing off their success and achievements to others.
Fresh head to toe, I'm a let a nigga know
The person takes pride in their appearance and style, and wants others to recognize their success and influence.
Money makes the world go round, I know your lowdown
The person repeats the refrain to emphasize their belief that money is the most important thing in life, and that others are willing to do whatever it takes to get it.
So fly tiptoe through the town, tear the clubs up
The person concludes the song by emphasizing their love for living a luxurious lifestyle and enjoying the finer things in life.
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bugsfrombk
Wattup Az...from church and 48...this shit fire big bro
@cinnamonspice6742
I was in your old neighborhood AZ, I love it. Make them coins Brooklyn's finest.
@jaSi9
AZ The God!! Impeccable. πππ½π
@scientific19
AZ 26 LETTERS COMPLETE π₯π₯π
@sivemasawe6057
One word "Legendary"π₯
@kejuanlee9658
Az dope as hell
@joshs8740
Respect from australia homie π
@shawncofer4110
ANOTHER HOT ONE FROM THE BROTHER AZ .
@tamikaj1560
Aye aye this is hitting the spot u ainβt never lied.You are wise and blessed.
@BrotherhoodWilliams
thanks Sosa