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)
We Can't Win
AZ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This world is ruled and controlled by societies
That exist within societies, that exist within societies, God
You understand?
These secret societies is maneuvering within society to control society
That's why society is outta control
33rd and one third, I heard the illuminated ones, huh
Proclamation decays, back to the plantation
The government plottin a nuclear detonation
Destroyin vegetation, water, the New World Order means starvation
The eye on the dollar symbolize illumination
A society, secretly overseeing population
Understand it, the government plans to enslave the planet
I'm trapped in a phase, thinkin of ways, can it
Happen? 85 percent of the population nappin
Prayin in churches, catchin the Holy Ghost clappin
Across the border travelin', I found the Nile across the water
Teachin my peoples the age of the New World Order
Twenty five to click blood line, we toast off wine
Snap clips in 9's, with minds more advanced than Einstein
And Murman, knock down walls like Berlin
To get out, we can't get in
We can't win
We can't get out and we can't get in
We can't get out and we can't get in
We can't get out and we can't get in
We can't get out
See I, wrote up a composition, I made a decision
For competition, some invite lifestyles that I be livin
Wit tribes I been in, wit the little brothers that's sinnin
So I started to vision, crack fiends formin
On collision, my mind is in that position for soul fishin
My only dream was to be a musician
Better yet a mortician, that's the life condition
'Cause everybody knows they gonna die, crackers they analyze
I Inovise plus I feels the vibe, mother cries
Plenty mothers that tries, now that she knows her son's gonna die
Take a trip, pass the line, now ease
The mind escape from the crimes of New York times
'Cause I'm one of the brothers who made it throughout the others
The Rotten Apples tryin to break loose from these shackles
No doubt, I follow routes, guzzlin Hennessey, mixed wit 'stal
In this ghetto, we can't get out
We can't win
We can't get out and we can't get in
We can't get out and we can't get in
We can't get out and we can't get in
We can't get out
Nothin can stop the nation, elevation, daily operation
Since man creation, we increase the population
Proper education, got us tappin in information
Preventin from gettin locked under top-secret investigation
Guiliani's part of Illuminati
A million minds in one body designed to decline society
They want at least 1.2 billion deceased
While the rest is left with the mark of the beast on their domepiece
Prepare, the signs of the times now are near
That outbreak scare, findin Zaire, soon be here
So tune your ears, and be saved from a slave
'Cause in a matter of days I'mma E-Q your brainwaves
AZ the Visualiza is wise as Elijah
Here to advise ya, and bring out the realness that's up inside ya
Intoxication, my voicebox rocks the nation
Street affiliation, the Doe Or Die situation
We can't get out and we can't get in
We can't get out and we can't get in
We can't get out and we can't get in
We can't get out
We can't win
We can't get out and we can't get in
We can't get out and we can't get in
We can't get out and we can't get in
We can't get out
The lyrics to AZ's song We Can't Win describe the state of society and the power structures that control it. The first verse talks about secret societies that maneuver within society to control it. The second verse talks about how the government is plotting a nuclear detonation that will destroy the planet and lead to starvation. The chorus then repeats the phrase “we can’t get out and we can’t get in,” expressing a sense of feeling trapped and powerless.
The next verses then discuss the rapper’s personal journey and how he has had to navigate the difficult circumstances of his environment. He talks about his only dream being to be a musician or a mortician, and about the sense of hopelessness that pervades in his community. The final verse discusses the need for proper education and information, and how the power structures in society are designed to keep people in line and prevent them from discovering the truth. Overall, the song is a critique of the power structures that control society and the feeling of powerlessness that many people experience as a result.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo God, do the knowledge, God, it's like this
The world is controlled by secret societies and their manipulations.
This world is ruled and controlled by societies
Powerful secret societies are operating within society to control it.
That exist within societies, that exist within societies, God
These societies are nested within larger ones, and so on.
These secret societies is maneuvering within society to control society
Societies are using secretive methods to control the population.
That's why society is outta control
The efforts of these societies are leading to instability and chaos.
33rd and one third, I heard the illuminated ones, huh
The highest levels of these societies are called the 'illuminated ones'.
The last days we're facin, that's the case when the emancipation
We are heading towards the end times, especially as civil rights progress is stalled.
Proclamation decays, back to the plantation
The progress we've made is eroding, and we're headed back to a system of slavery and oppression.
The government plottin a nuclear detonation
The government is plotting to use a nuclear weapon to destroy the population.
Destroyin vegetation, water, the New World Order means starvation
Such an attack would devastate the earth's natural resources and lead to mass famine.
The eye on the dollar symbolize illumination
The eye on the dollar bill is a symbol of the illuminated ones' control over society.
A society, secretly overseeing population
Illuminated societies are secretly monitoring and manipulating the population.
Understand it, the government plans to enslave the planet
The government has designs on controlling the entire world population.
I'm trapped in a phase, thinkin of ways, can it
I am stuck in a mindset of doubt and confusion, wondering if there is any way to fight back.
85 percent of the population nappin
The majority of the population is asleep or willfully ignorant to these issues.
Prayin in churches, catchin the Holy Ghost clappin
Many people are turning to religion as a way to cope with the instability in society.
These Rotten Apples tryin to break loose from these shackles
Those who recognize the injustice in society are trying to take action and break free from oppression.
Nothin can stop the nation, elevation, daily operation
Despite the challenges we face, we continue to work towards progress and growth as a nation.
Guiliani's part of Illuminati
Even high-ranking politicians are secretly members of these societies.
A million minds in one body designed to decline society
These societies are working together to cause societal decline.
Prepare, the signs of the times now are near
We need to be alert and ready for what's to come.
So tune your ears, and be saved from a slave
Listen closely in order to avoid becoming enslaved and oppressed.
Here to advise ya, and bring out the realness that's up inside ya
I am here to offer guidance and bring out the strength and authenticity within you.
Intoxication, my voicebox rocks the nation
My words are powerful and can inspire change in the world.
Street affiliation, the Doe Or Die situation
I am a product of the streets and am committed to fighting against oppression and injustice.
We can't get out and we can't get in
We are trapped in a system of oppression and cannot escape it.
We can't win
Under current circumstances, we cannot prevail against our oppressors.
Lyrics © Royalty Network
Written by: AMAR WILKINS, ANTHONY S CRUZ, Anthony Cruz, Wayne Wilkins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind