Anthony Cruz (born March 9, 1972 in Brooklyn, New York), better known by hi… Read Full Bio ↴Anthony Cruz (born March 9, 1972 in Brooklyn, New York), better known by his stage name AZ, is a Grammy-nominated rapper currently residing in Englewood, New Jersey. He is mainly known for his close association with Nas, his membership in the hip hop supergroup The Firm, and his multi-syllabic rhyming pattern and deep content within his solo albums. He released his debut album, Doe or Die, in 1995 and has since released 1998's Pieces of a Man, 2001's 9 Lives, 2002's Aziatic, 2005's A.W.O.L., 2006's The Format and 2008's Undeniable. AZ is currently working on his 10th studio album titled Doe or Die 2 to be released sometime in 2011.

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)

Platinum Bars
AZ Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

[Verse 1: AZ]
What y'all know about real cashin' and topless Jags
Doing 80 on the Ave. goin' on the cop some hash
Stash box, no more air bags, just pop the dash
Got them things with the sling hammer to cop them bath
Slouch down in the bucket seats, real discreet
Ice grillin', like fuck it I'm too real to speak, so suck it in
Denim down with the Chuck and Timbs

Fitted cap, so y'all can get it that I'm hustlin'
I'm a Mr. Queen Mohanin', Kurt Cobain
So if you thinkin' too hard, you gon' hurt your brain
From snortin', my feelings is as cold as my chain
AZ, it's the angels that chose my name
For the return, it's the second coming, left my woman
Had to recoup from all the stress and reckless runnin'
See the beats don't stop, when the heat don't pop

All it means is that I'm low 'til I see and drop
It's on...

Overall Meaning

In AZ's "Platinum Bars," the rapper offers a glimpse into his life and what he knows about "real cashin'." He brags about riding in topless Jaguars, going 80 miles per hour on the Ave. in search of hash to cop, and his stash box filled with goods. AZ is living life on the edge, as evidenced by the missing airbags and the need to pop the dash in a hurry. He's also real discreet, riding with his bucket seats slouched down and his ice grill on.

AZ's lyrics convey a sense of danger, but also a sense of purpose. He's hustling hard, as is evident from his fitted cap and denim paired with Chuck and Timbs. He even compares himself to royalty with the name "Mr. Queen Mohanin'," and nods to Kurt Cobain's legacy. Although his feelings may be cold as his chain, AZ clearly feels a sense of responsibility to his craft with the return of the second coming, even if it causes stress and reckless running. In the end, it's all about the beats and the heat, and AZ is all in.

Line by Line Meaning

What y'all know about real cashin' and topless Jags
Do you truly understand the experience of earning and spending significant amounts of money and cruising in luxury convertible cars?

Doing 80 on the Ave. goin' on the cop some hash
Driving recklessly fast on the avenue in order to purchase marijuana

Stash box, no more air bags, just pop the dash
The car's air bags have been removed and replaced with a compartment to hide illegal substances, and it's easily accessible by breaking the dashboard

Got them things with the sling hammer to cop them bath
Using a hammer to smash open and steal items in order to acquire more drugs

Slouch down in the bucket seats, real discreet
Sitting low in the car seats and attempting to blend in with surroundings to avoid attention from law enforcement

Ice grillin', like fuck it I'm too real to speak, so suck it in
Frowning with a serious expression, indicating a tough and rugged mentality that doesn't require words to convey it

Denim down with the Chuck and Timbs
Wearing denim jeans and Timberland boots with Chuck Taylor shoes

Fitted cap, so y'all can get it that I'm hustlin'
Wearing a fitted baseball cap as a sign of being involved in the illegal drug trade

I'm a Mr. Queen Mohanin', Kurt Cobain
Comparing himself to a prominent African American Muslim leader and Kurt Cobain, a legendary musician who died at 27

So if you thinkin' too hard, you gon' hurt your brain
If you try to analyze or comprehend my lifestyle too much, it may cause you mental strain

From snortin', my feelings is as cold as my chain
Through the use of cocaine, my emotions have become numb and my jewelry reflects this, as it's a piece of ice (a diamond chain)

AZ, it's the angels that chose my name
I believe my name was given to me by a higher power or divine source

For the return, it's the second coming, left my woman
I'm making a comeback, similar to Jesus' second coming, but had to leave my significant other to focus on myself

Had to recoup from all the stress and reckless runnin'
I had to take a break from my life of illegal activity and chaos in order to recover and make a fresh start

See the beats don't stop, when the heat don't pop
The music continues to be made regardless of the external circumstances and challenges

All it means is that I'm low 'til I see and drop
The current situation is difficult and I'm working towards a better future so I can succeed and achieve my goals

It's on...
The game is in motion; it's happening now.

Contributed by Ethan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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