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)
The Secret
AZ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Secrets, oh what you kept from me
They make our world go around
But secrets, they only last long enough to break you down
Stuck sitting, you left me there waiting for you
You didn't want to be my girl
Sure wasn't me who was doin' it with you
Oh but there's too much in my mind right now
To say how I feel, to do what I need to do
And how can you leave like this
When a simple kiss is all you gave me
CHORUS
Loving you seems foolish when you do what you do
But I cannot stand the feeling without you
I swear girl, I'm leaving, baby, five after two
'Cause is no way I'm waiting longer for you
Oh but there's too much in my mind right now
To say how I feel, to do what I need to do
And how can I look up to the way
And see our love fading baby, tell me why
CHORUS
The lyrics to Az Yet's song Secrets revolve around the theme of betrayal and heartbreak. The song begins with Jon B. singing about the importance of secrets and how they make the world go around. However, he soon realizes that secrets only last long enough to break a person down. He talks about being left waiting for someone who didn't want to be with him and finding out that she was with someone else. Jon B. expresses his confusion and hurt at the situation and how he cannot understand why things ended the way they did. He talks about how he cannot express his feelings or do what he needs to do, and he is left with a sense of dissatisfaction.
The chorus of the song expresses Jon B.'s frustration and sadness at the situation. He knows that loving this person seems foolish when she is not loyal, but he cannot stand the feeling of being without her. However, he also knows that he cannot continue waiting for her and decides to leave at five after two. He questions why their love is fading and why things didn't work out, leaving the listener with a sense of longing and heartache.
Line by Line Meaning
Secrets, oh what you kept from me
The things you didn't tell me are consuming my thoughts and creating issues in our relationship.
They make our world go around
Despite causing problems, secrets are still a common part of relationships.
But secrets, they only last long enough to break you down
Eventually secrets will come to light and cause damage to your relationship.
Stuck sitting, you left me there waiting for you
You abandoned me and left me in a difficult situation.
You didn't want to be my girl
You never truly wanted a committed relationship with me.
I saw you by candlelight waiting for two
I witnessed you having an intimate moment with someone else.
Sure wasn't me who was doin' it with you
You were being intimate with someone else other than me.
Oh but there's too much in my mind right now
I am overwhelmed with thoughts and feelings at the moment.
To say how I feel, to do what I need to do
I am unable to communicate my emotions or take the necessary actions.
And how can you leave like this
I am confused about why you are leaving me in this situation.
When a simple kiss is all you gave me
Our relationship lacked substance and effort on your part.
Loving you seems foolish when you do what you do
I question my own judgment for loving someone who is not committed to me.
But I cannot stand the feeling without you
Despite everything, I still have feelings for you.
I swear girl, I'm leaving, baby, five after two
I have reached my limit and am ready to move on at a specific time.
'Cause is no way I'm waiting longer for you
I am not willing to waste any more time waiting for someone who is not committed to me.
And how can I look up to the way
I am struggling to see a positive future for our relationship.
And see our love fading baby, tell me why
I am trying to understand why our love is disintegrating.
CHORUS
Repetition of the chorus to emphasize the message that the relationship is in trouble and one partner is not committed.
Lyrics Β© PAUL RODRIGUEZ MUSIC LTD. , Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BENJI MADDEN, JOEL MADDEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind