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)
DEAD END
Az Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
well i show affection
but it's creeping up
creeping up on me
in another direction
i love a ride
and i know someday i'll die
so i try to ask no questions
but the weary one, lord it's me
do you think it's obsession
the smoke will find you a choker
that matches your coat
not fit to be tied
the mirror
it makes it all clearer
as you stand alone and can see your behind
in the mirror you can see your behind
well they tried it
and they like to say nobody would believe this
well they tried it
and they like to say well nobody would ever achieve it
the way you stayed up locked away up
keeping the flame for yourself
the way you played it out
pushing the blame of
reaping the fame for yourself
oh, it's a it's a dead end
it's a dead end day
it's a dead and lonely day
said a day
it's a dead end
it's a dead end day
it's a dead and lonely day
and it's a long way
a long way down
sing it again
and it's a long, long way
said a long, long way, long way down
too long for me now
oh sing it out, oh sing it out
change is coming baby
don't be startled lady
every once in awhile they do it again
you're gonna shake it, shake it
you know you wanna take it
back to where you once belonged
said back beneath the sheets
and between the pillow cases
and the snake he races out
and then he tangles into your hair
oh, funny the fruits you choose
oh the time it takes the words you lose
and it all goes back to rotation
over the back of your hand
said the back of your hand
the map is your hand
said the back of your hand
well the map is your hand
said the map is your hand
it's the back of your hand
said the back
you better step they told him
the back as you can
it's a long, long way
and it's a long, long, long way
and it's a long, long, long way
long way down
so stop your whining all the time
and don't you find a little secret to yourself
well it always saved your life
and start listening to the words
that you've heard
no one else, but yourself
will agree with you more
that it's a long, long way
it's a long, long way
it's a long, long way
and it's a long, long
and it's a long, long damn song
it's a long, a long, way down
sing it again
and it's a long, long way down
said it once, say it once again
said it's a long, long, way down
oh say
oh say
oh it's a dead end
it's a dead end day
it's a dead and lonely day
said a day
it's a dead end
it's a dead end day
it's partly over past day, but the night, ooh but the night
The lyrics to Az's "Dead End" speak to feelings of entrapment and disillusionment. The opening lines reflect a sense of unease and foreboding, as the singer acknowledges that something is "creeping up" on them "in another direction." They express a love of life and a desire to avoid contemplating their own mortality, while simultaneously feeling trapped and weary. The line "do you think it's obsession" suggests that the singer may be grappling with addiction or some other unhealthy coping mechanism.
The song then shifts to a reflection on fame and the ways in which it can be isolating and ultimately unsatisfying. The repetition of "it's a dead end day" and "it's a dead and lonely day" underscores the sense of futility and emptiness that comes with achieving success but not finding fulfillment. The lines "the way you played it out / pushing the blame of / reaping the fame for yourself" suggest that the singer may feel burdened by their own success and haunted by the compromises they made to achieve it.
As the song continues, the lyrics become more abstract, touching on themes of change, memory, and personal agency. The image of the snake tangling in the singer's hair is particularly striking, evoking a sense of danger and unease. The repeated refrain of "it's a long way down" underscores the sense of distance and isolation that the singer feels. Ultimately, the song seems to be grappling with the elusive nature of satisfaction and the difficulty of finding meaning and purpose in the face of life's many challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
say easily with me
Let's begin this conversation with ease
well i show affection
I express love openly
but it's creeping up
However, emotions are starting to overwhelm me
creeping up on me
Emotions are becoming harder to manage
in another direction
These emotions are not going in the expected direction
i love a ride
I enjoy taking risks
and i know someday i'll die
I am aware of my own mortality
so i try to ask no questions
I avoid dwelling on the deeper meaning of things
no questions why
I do not question why things happen
but the weary one, lord it's me
But I am the one feeling tired and drained
do you think it's obsession
Do you believe that my behavior is obsessive?
the smoke will find you a choker
The consequences of your actions can bind you
that matches your coat
In a way that is fitting for you
not fit to be tied
One should not be too constrained
the mirror
Reflection of oneself
it makes it all clearer
Reflection helps to clarify things
as you stand alone and can see your behind
When you are by yourself, you can reflect on things that may otherwise go unnoticed
well they tried it
Others have attempted this before
and they like to say nobody would believe this
They enjoy boasting about their accomplishments to others
well they tried it
Others have attempted this before
and they like to say well nobody would ever achieve it
They enjoy being seen as superior and unreachable
the way you stayed up locked away up
You isolated yourself from others
keeping the flame for yourself
Maintaining your own passions and interests
the way you played it out
The way you acted
pushing the blame of
Refusing to take responsibility
reaping the fame for yourself
But taking all the credit for success
oh, it's a it's a dead end
This is a hopeless situation
it's a dead end day
This day feels like there is no hope to be found
it's a dead and lonely day
This day feels lifeless and isolating
said a day
I repeat, this day feels lifeless and isolating
and it's a long way
The journey ahead seems lengthy
a long way down
It will be a difficult fall from here
change is coming baby
A shift in the status quo is about to occur
don't be startled lady
Don't be too surprised by the changes
every once in awhile they do it again
Every now and then, things happen again
you're gonna shake it, shake it
You're going to overcome it
you know you wanna take it
You want to confront the situation
back to where you once belonged
Back to where you felt at home
said back beneath the sheets
Going back to the comfort of one's bed
and between the pillow cases
The soft cushioning of pillows for comfort
and the snake he races out
Unexpected obstacles arise
and then he tangles into your hair
Obstacles become overwhelming and difficult to handle
oh, funny the fruits you choose
It's interesting to see the choices you make
oh the time it takes the words you lose
It can take a long time to regain what is lost
and it all goes back to rotation
Everything goes round in circles
over the back of your hand
Across the surface of your hand
said the back of your hand
I repeat, across the surface of your hand
the map is your hand
Your hand holds the means to guide you
well the map is your hand
I repeat, your hand holds the means to guide you
it's the back of your hand
Specifically the back of your hand is what is being referred to
you better step they told him
Someone warned him to move
it's a long, long way
The journey ahead seems lengthy
and it's a long, long, long way
The journey ahead seems incredibly lengthy
so stop your whining all the time
Stop complaining so much
and don't you find a little secret to yourself
Find something that makes you happy and keep it to yourself
well it always saved your life
It has always been a comfort to you
and start listening to the words
Pay attention to the things being said
that you've heard
That you have already heard before
no one else, but yourself
Only you can agree with yourself on this
will agree with you more
No one else can understand you as well as you can
that it's a long, long way
The journey ahead will be lengthy
and it's a long, long way
The journey ahead will be lengthy
and it's a long, long way
The journey ahead will be lengthy
and it's a long, long damn song
The journey ahead will feel like a never-ending, frustrating experience
it's a long, a long, way down
It will be a difficult descent
sing it again
Repeat the song
said it once, say it once again
I said it once, let me say it again
said it's a long, long way down
I repeat, it will be a difficult descent
oh say
Oh, repeat again
oh say
Oh, repeat again
oh it's a dead end
This is a hopeless situation
it's a dead end day
This day feels like there is no hope to be found
it's a dead and lonely day
This day feels lifeless and isolating
said a day
I repeat, this day feels lifeless and isolating
it's a dead end
This is a hopeless situation
it's a dead end day
This day feels like there is no hope to be found
it's partly over past day, but the night, ooh but the night
The day may be over, but the night feels daunting and uncertain
Writer(s): Anthony Cruz, Kendred Smith Copyright: Family Bizness Muzic Inc., Life'S A Bitch Publishing
Contributed by Alice S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Nomis2779
"No joke we was all better broke, had to handy up for smoke that's when everybody spoke. Kept it all hood everybody had hope, then the boats came afloat everybody had coke" SICK!!!
soundbwoy718
Nomis2779 son the realest shit ever lol
G Slimm
Most underrated rapper to ever grasp a mic!
Dr Bikes Jr
luv thiz shit real rap
Richard Martinez
What blows my mind about this song is that it sounds like it was made in the 90's- clean beat, classic rhythm. But to my surprise it was made in 08! I guess hiphop is still alive
BPaonessa1
Hop Hop's not dead, NY Hip hip is dead. AZ is one of our only hopes. Quality raps representing NY. Long Live The Firm. Bring it back!!!!!
ikunz34
can't wait for doe or die 2. the fact that this was made in '08 blows my mind
Rizzo Aristotle
Real rap right here spitting straight facts
dj don bentley
az is only underrated because the other us states just aint on the ny hustle level,
its no disrespect to other areas, its just alot of areas don't have that hard hitting,
multi - ryme flow, either way respect the man , and give him his credit thats due
if you grew up in the ny you definitely know that AZ is the man.
Villis Strike
Man, I love AZ.