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)โhe 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 onesโthe 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)
Sit 'em Back Slow
AZ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah! (Can you hear that shit?)
Yeah! (Can you hear that shit!?)
Fall back, for the 40 cal clap
Slugs burn like hot grits on Al Green's back
Fuck what you heard, fuck what they talking 'bout
We chalk 'em out, you fuckin' with a legend
And I still keep it funky (that's right)
You're on and your H owe[?] me love, then fuck it
You're gettin' money, I can't get none with you, then fuck ya
Let me explain the bullshit
The same bullshit that make me want to hit your ass with a full clip
It ain't enough love being spread
Love scene is over, it's all hate, so blood gon' shed
A nigga got goons, a nigga need red
My homey just bought a whip and the shit need rims
And ya'll niggas flossin' hard on a nigga, so fuck ya
I don't respect a G, motherfucker so fuck ya
This is that, Riker's Island rap, for the block cash
On the block scrap, posted up gettin' that dough
Love for the block huggers gettin' that dough
40 cal for them cocksuckers, sit 'em back slow!
What ya'll know about hood love?
Bang out, shoot out, got goons to sit 'em back slow
You should know about my hood love
This ain't a demo, you know my M.O., sit 'em back slow
East coast boogie, boulevard bundled up
Cold corner Remy shots, four, five will numb you up
Crushed purple haze, placed in a honey dutch
By any means, hustlers, get your money up
Strategic tactics, beliefs is backwards
Sights of homicide on the streets is graphic
In front of [?] niggas freeze in traffic
With they drug transactions, the love can't happen
To each his own, we beef, we grown
It's doe or die from day one, I'm in a deeper zone
No disguise, still alive, I reach for chrome
So either way it goes down, I'mma hold shit down
Boppin' to Chris Brown, hop it to brick pound[?]
Showin' the 40 fully, Bape hoody's zipped down
Pass me the piff round, death is all I see
Since my return, all eyes on me
This is that, Riker's Island knock sittin' rap flow
For them blocks getting things, monsters gettin' that dough
The block huggers know the style, triple that dough
40 cal for them cocksuckers, sit 'em back slow!
I get it flowin' like it's water (brrraaaaat!)
I think you oughta support a nigga that sit 'em back slow
The offspring of a quin[?] and a conflict, William Danze
Aw shit! This nigga sit 'em back slow
So (floss!) with your big shit, your big whips and all
(Floss!) You got big chips, your shit sick, but dog
Who did ya'll call when it came to the rugged terrain
For the struggle and pain with the love in his vein? (Billy!)
You mean to tell me this the thanks I get
For keeping East Coast on the map with that gangsta shit?
I think somebody need to check for the glitch
And call Hollywood and tell them start correctin' the script
See I, Danze, did it, spit it off the muscle with it
Dominated the shit, that's why you niggas tussled with it
Yes, yes, I watched how you struggled with it
Felt my position that you niggas would love to get it
Ain't nothing change about me, it ain't the same without me
The game won't bang without me, it's something you bang about me
It's something down about me, mile about me, piles about me
Something slick about me, rick about me, prince about me
What ya'll know about hood love?
Bang out, shoot out, got goons to sit 'em back slow
You should know about my hood love
This ain't a demo, you know my M.O., sit 'em back slow
The song "Sit 'Em Back Slow" by AZ Feat. M.O.P is a classic rap song that showcases the raw and aggressive style that both AZ and M.O.P bring to the table. The lyrics are filled with themes of struggle, pain, and the need for survival, which are all common themes in hip-hop.
The song begins with AZ emphasizing the power of his 40 caliber gun and how it can silence anyone who tries to mess with him. He also talks about the lack of love being spread around in the world and how this leads to violence and bloodshed. He expresses his frustration with other rappers flaunting their wealth and status, and he prioritizes survival and loyalty over anything else.
The song then shifts to M.O.P's verse, where they continue the theme of struggle and survival. They talk about the violent realities of the streets and how they have to fight to get what they want. They also emphasize the importance of loyalty and how they can't trust anyone who doesn't have their backs. The chorus ties in the themes of hood love and survival, emphasizing the need to sit back and watch out for enemies who might try to take them down.
Overall, "Sit 'Em Back Slow" is a powerful and engaging hip-hop song that showcases the raw and aggressive styles of both AZ and M.O.P. It emphasizes the importance of survival, loyalty, and the need to stay vigilant in the dangerous world of the streets.
Line by Line Meaning
Fall back, for the 40 cal clap
Step back or get shot with a .40 caliber gun
Slugs burn like hot grits on Al Green's back
Bullets burn and hurt like hot grits on Al Green's back
Fuck what you heard, fuck what they talking 'bout
Ignore what people say and focus on yourself
We chalk 'em out, you fuckin' with a legend
We take out our enemies and warn them that they're dealing with a legendary figure
And I still keep it funky (that's right)
I still keep it real and stay true to myself
Jump up, I'm gonna shoot you down on the back pockets to your Red Monkeys
If someone jumps up, I will shoot them in the back while they're wearing Red Monkey jeans
You're on and your H owe[?] me love, then fuck it
If you owe me love and you're not showing it, then forget it
You're gettin' money, I can't get none with you, then fuck ya
If you're making money without including me, then I don't care about you
Let me explain the bullshit
Let me clarify the messed up situation
The same bullshit that make me want to hit your ass with a full clip
The same messed up situation that makes me want to shoot you with a full magazine of bullets
It ain't enough love being spread
There isn't enough kindness and love being shown
Love scene is over, it's all hate, so blood gon' shed
Love has disappeared and all that's left is hate that will lead to violence
A nigga got goons, a nigga need red
A person has hired guns for protection and needs more money
My homey just bought a whip and the shit need rims
My friend bought a car and needs to add rims to it
And ya'll niggas flossin' hard on a nigga, so fuck ya
People are bragging and showing off, so I don't care about them
I don't respect a G, motherfucker so fuck ya
I don't respect a gangster or a tough guy, so I don't care about them
This is that, Riker's Island rap, for the block cash
This is a rap song about Riker's Island prison and street money
On the block scrap, posted up gettin' that dough
On the street corner, we're making money by any means necessary
Love for the block huggers gettin' that dough
People who love the neighborhood are earning money
40 cal for them cocksuckers, sit 'em back slow!
A .40 caliber gun will slow down and silence the enemies
What ya'll know about hood love?
Do you know anything about love and loyalty in the streets?
Bang out, shoot out, got goons to sit 'em back slow
We fight and shoot with hired guns to slow down our enemies
You should know about my hood love
You should understand my loyalty to the neighborhood
This ain't a demo, you know my M.O., sit 'em back slow
This isn't a test, you know how I operate: I hire guns to silence the opposition
East coast boogie, boulevard bundled up
In the East coast, we dress warmly on the streets
Cold corner Remy shots, four, five will numb you up
Drinking cold Remy Martin shots in a dangerous corner, a .45 caliber gun will hurt and numb the body
Crushed purple haze, placed in a honey dutch
Smoking Purple Haze weed stuffed in honey-flavored rolling paper
By any means, hustlers, get your money up
Do whatever it takes to make money
Strategic tactics, beliefs is backwards
Using strategic tactics despite having twisted beliefs
Sights of homicide on the streets is graphic
The sight of murder and killing on the streets can be despicable
In front of [?] niggas freeze in traffic
People get scared and stop in traffic when they see gangs
With they drug transactions, the love can't happen
There can't be any love when drug deals are involved
To each his own, we beef, we grown
We all have our own opinions and beliefs, we have conflicts but we act maturely
It's doe or die from day one, I'm in a deeper zone
It's all about making money and survival from the very beginning, I'm in a dangerous state of mind
No disguise, still alive, I reach for chrome
I don't hide who I am and I'm still alive, but I'm always ready to grab my gun
So either way it goes down, I'mma hold shit down
No matter what happens, I'll remain in control of the situation
Boppin' to Chris Brown, hop it to brick pound[?]
Dancing to Chris Brown's music and hopping on a scale to weigh drugs
Showin' the 40 fully, Bape hoody's zipped down
Showing off a fully loaded .40 caliber gun while wearing a Bape hoodie with the zipper down
Pass me the piff round, death is all I see
Give me the weed to smoke, all I see is death and violence around me
Since my return, all eyes on me
Since I came back, everyone is watching me and my actions
This is that, Riker's Island knock sittin' rap flow
This is a rap song about the prison experience and using hired guns to silence enemies
For them blocks getting things, monsters gettin' that dough
For the street blocks making money and dangerous people earning more money
The block huggers know the style, triple that dough
The people who love the neighborhood understand the business and make three times more money
I get it flowin' like it's water (brrraaaaat!)
I easily make money like flowing water, make the gun sound
I think you oughta support a nigga that sit 'em back slow
I think you should support someone who hires guns to slow down and silence the opposition
The offspring of a quin[?] and a conflict, William Danze
William Danze is born from a twin and a troubled situation
Aw shit! This nigga sit 'em back slow
This person hires guns to slow down their enemies
So (floss!) with your big shit, your big whips and all
If you're showing off with your big cars and material possessions
(Floss!) You got big chips, your shit sick, but dog
If you're making a lot of money and your possessions are impressive
Who did ya'll call when it came to the rugged terrain
Who did you call when you needed help in dangerous situations
For the struggle and pain with the love in his vein? (Billy!)
For someone who has experienced struggle and pain but has love in their heart? (Billy!)
You mean to tell me this the thanks I get
Are you trying to tell me that this is how you express your gratitude?
For keeping East Coast on the map with that gangsta shit?
For keeping the East Coast in the spotlight with my gangsta music?
I think somebody need to check for the glitch
I think someone needs to investigate and fix the problem
And call Hollywood and tell them start correctin' the script
Contact Hollywood and tell them to change their portrayal of gangsta culture
See I, Danze, did it, spit it off the muscle with it
I, Danze, did it and rapped with passion from the heart
Dominated the shit, that's why you niggas tussled with it
I dominated the rap game, and that's why you people had conflicts with me
Yes, yes, I watched how you struggled with it
Yes, I saw how you struggled with the conflict
Felt my position that you niggas would love to get it
Felt that you people wanted to be in my position
Ain't nothing change about me, it ain't the same without me
I haven't changed, and it's not the same without me
The game won't bang without me, it's something you bang about me
The rap game won't be as exciting without me, and I am a topic people talk about
It's something down about me, mile about me, piles about me
There's something mysterious about me, and there are secrets and rumors about me
Something slick about me, rick about me, prince about me
There's something cool and impressive about me, and I'm compared to slick, famous people
Writer(s): Anthony S. Cruz
Contributed by Violet V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@SwarlsBarkley
Actually anyone who likes real hip hop, likes all of AZ's songs! Never heard a bad AZ song.
@mr000ok
agree
@YoungBreeze252
M.O.P, the most underrated group ever.
@BlakWraith6
East Coast Boogie ๐ฝ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ ๐ฅ AZ and M.O.P is the truth! BROOKLYN!
@RudeBoy170
Criminally slept on. NY STAND UP! BROOKLYN BRONX HARLEM
@Alckatraz
AZ is crazy ill one of my favorite rappers of all time. This song is one of my favorites off the album.
@robezy0
AZ, an underrated legend. END
@Microphonechecka2
Bangin beat, mop`s energy, az flow. this is just soooooooo hip hop
@jshannon777
Billy Danze goes in hard always
@elmalanmalan2175
He is beast