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)
You Know
AZ Lyrics
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Она любит Gucci и Ferrucci Prada Fendi
U understand me?!
Can you feel me?!
Жамандай бермей, кел и
I’m in the Bentley
Ол миды жиі жиді де, кейін артынан көтенін кереді
Көзімді жұмсам түсіме енеді
Сөздері жұмсақ, айтқаны келеді
Айқайлайды да, қайтадан ереді
Өзіме сондай майысқақ керек
Кейде қайран қаламын
Мен оны мыңнан айыра аламын
Мүлдем басқа ғалам
Түсінбей басында сасқалақтағам
Ол жайында дымда айтпа маған
Түш, өзінен кеше ғана мен бәрін сұрап тастағам
Она когда тратит мои нервы хочет мои деньги
Она любит Gucci и Ferrucci Prada Fendi
U understand me?!
Can you feel me?!
Жамандай бермей, кел и
I’m in the Bentley
Она когда тратит мои нервы хочет мои деньги
Она любит Gucci и Ferrucci Prada Fendi
U understand me?!
Can you feel me?!
Жамандай бермей, кел и
I’m in the Bentley
These lyrics from AZ's song "You Know" depict a complicated relationship dynamic between the singer and a woman who is materialistic and seeks his money. The first verse states that she spends his nerves and desires his money, and she loves luxury brands like Gucci, Ferrucci, Prada, and Fendi. The singer questions if she understands him and if she can feel his emotions. He then invites her to come closer, emphasizing his status of being in a Bentley.
The second verse delves deeper into their relationship. It suggests that she only sees the surface and fails to see the true essence of the singer. He says that if he were to not give her anything, she would turn away from him. He mentions that his eyes burn and his words are soft when he speaks to her, indicating the intensity and vulnerability of his feelings. He acknowledges that there is mutual understanding and they return to each other. However, he realizes that he should distance himself from this situation and find his own happiness. He expresses that he may sometimes feel lonely, but he can separate himself from her, emphasizing his need for independence.
Overall, these lyrics explore the complexities of a relationship where material desires and emotional connections intertwine. The singer knows that the woman he is involved with is primarily attracted to his wealth, but there is also a sense of longing for a deeper connection and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Она когда тратит мои нервы хочет мои деньги
When she spends my nerves, she wants my money
Она любит Gucci и Ferrucci Prada Fendi
She loves Gucci and Ferrucci Prada Fendi
U understand me?!
Do you understand me?!
Can you feel me?!
Can you feel me?!
Жамандай бермей, кел и
Don't give up, come
I’m in the Bentley
I am in the Bentley
Ол миды жиі жиді де, кейін артынан көтенін кереді
She takes the best of me, then makes me worse
Мән бермеймін десем, күннен күнге көркейе береді
Even if I say I won't give, she convinces me from day to day
Көзімді жұмсам түсіме енеді
When I close my eyes, she can't see
Сөздері жұмсақ, айтқаны келеді
Her words are soft, they come across
Айқайлайды да, қайтадан ереді
She also admits, takes me back
Өзіме сондай майысқақ керек
I need to be careful
Кейде қайран қаламын
Sometimes I don't like it
Мен оны мыңнан айыра аламын
I can't separate myself from her thousand times
Мүлдем басқа ғалам
I always end up in another world
Түсінбей басында сасқалақтағам
I can't start without understanding
Ол жайында дымда айтпа маған
She doesn't talk about the place she's in
Түш, өзінен кеше ғана мен бәрін сұрап тастағам
Quietly, only asking for myself from the past
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: ADRIEL CRUZ, BRANDON JEVON FARRIS, JESSE CALENTINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind