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)
New York
Az Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is serious, here "number one"
New York! It's beyond the 5 boroughs keep it real, I get ill
Number one, this will rock! "the city" "I gotta get in"
This is that, Riker's Island, not slipping rap flows
For them box bitten bing monsters, sniffin' that blow
Block covers know the style, triple that dough
What y'all know about coke pies, give 'em that low
I mouth them before the bowtie resemble cash flow
Rap NY, no lie, my side is back Ghost, so hot
Crooked cops are searching your asshole, it's the drop
That freeze niggaz right where they stand for the gwap
Niggaz'll play Pac and pop with they man, it don't stop
We up top, but we locked and landing
He roadblock, he flow shots, get Ghost and scram
Gingerbread niggaz on the run from feds
Shit is sick, pretty chicks'll put a gun to ya head
Never a vic', either think quick or end up dead
'Cause when we flip, what's left to be said? New York
New York, New York, New York
New York, New York
Number One
New York, New York
Keep it real, I get ill
New York, New York
Number one
New York, New York
The city, I gotta get in
New York, New York
Number One
New York, New York
Keep it real, I get ill
New York, New York
Number one
New York, New York
The city, I gotta get in
You know the town stupid, this is all authentic ground
You can get poked, grabbed and choked, then shot up, for product
Bank holders stay in the lab, too many dumb niggaz is scheming
You can get murked up in the cab
Shout out to niggaz that be jerking tags, rollin' in Jags
Good boy leathers, hood boys'll blast you
Niggaz that carry ones and hit grass
And love hip hop, the shit that bring money outta ziplocs
Protect your dome, I'm warning you, what harm I do to the kid
I have you on the floor with ya armor loose
Break the raw down and sign truces
Then switch the next muthafuckin' date, fuck all excuses
When you see me it's real, I'm just a natural born hustler
The castle where they wrap you in plastic, duke
So every soldier that's armed, remind your general
It's critical, you might stay a night, if you pretendable
New York, New York
Number One
New York, New York
Keep it real, I get ill
New York, New York
Number one
New York, New York
The city, I gotta get in
New York, New York
Number One
New York, New York
Keep it real, I get ill
New York, New York
Number one
New York, New York
The city, I gotta get in
Yo, we was raised in the dead arm district
Before guns was called biscuits, Stapleton was on that hood shit
Live from the New York borough, keeping it thorough
Bunch of snakes in the grass, stay creepin' like squirrels
Cuz a snitch gon' crack that nut, don't give a fuck
Did ten hours long and try to wrap us up
He dry snitching, post up in the whip with a fly wisdom
Hopped out to get a dutch, but he left with his wig splitten
We from New York, my city never sleeps (No)
We runnin' with a hundred heats
When beef pop off, we ain't the one to speak
Dressed in all black, driving six feet hurses
With sixteen niggaz, dropping sixteen verses
Big faces, bolgin' outta big green purses
Stuck ya man for his vegi's and his lame ass circus
So I dare niggaz act up, y'all niggaz act up
Now like cars in reverse, y'all better back up
New York, New York
Number One
New York, New York
Keep it real, I get ill
New York, New York
Number one
New York, New York
The city, I gotta get in
New York, New York
Number One
New York, New York
Keep it real, I get ill
New York, New York
Number one
New York, New York
The city, I gotta get in
The lyrics of the song "New York" by AZ portray the gritty, authentic nature of the city, specifically focusing on the hardships and dangers of life in New York's five boroughs. AZ presents a raw and honest perspective of the city that is often romanticized, highlighting the violence, drug use, and corruption that are prevalent. The lyrics describe Riker's Island (one of the biggest jails in New York), the danger of riding in cabs, and the threat of being robbed or killed for carrying money or drugs. However, despite the harsh realities, AZ takes pride in being a New Yorker, and his lyrics boast of the city's hustle and the no-nonsense attitude of its residents. He also pays tribute to the city's hip-hop culture, which has become an essential part of New York's identity.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah "the city"
The singer is acknowledging New York City as the central focus of the song.
This is serious, here "number one"
The singer emphasizes that New York is the top city.
New York! It's beyond the 5 boroughs keep it real, I get ill
New York is more than just the five boroughs and the singer is ready to show off his skills.
Number one, this will rock! "the city" "I gotta get in"
New York is the best and the artist is eager to prove himself and make it in.
This is that, Riker's Island, not slipping rap flows
The artist is not playing around and is coming with powerful rap lyrics.
For them box bitten bing monsters, sniffin' that blow
The singer emphasizes how drug use is prevalent in some New York areas.
Block covers know the style, triple that dough
The artist's style is well-known in certain neighborhoods, where making money is important.
Forty cal. for them cock suckers, sittin' back slow
The artist is not afraid to use his gun to take out those who are trying to stop him.
What y'all know about coke pies, give 'em that low
The artist is knowledgeable about the drug trade in New York and how cocaine is distributed.
I mouth them before the bowtie resemble cash flow
The artist is ready to take on anyone who tries to get in his way for financial gain.
Rap NY, no lie, my side is back Ghost, so hot
The artist is proud to represent New York and his rap is on fire.
Crooked cops are searching your asshole, it's the drop
The artist is aware that New York police will do anything to bust someone for drugs.
That freeze niggaz right where they stand for the gwap
In New York, the desire for money can lead to someone being robbed on the spot.
Niggaz'll play Pac and pop with they man, it don't stop
In New York, people are willing to shoot and kill each other over small issues.
We up top, but we locked and landing
The artist is at the top of the game in New York, but always ready for what comes next.
He roadblock, he flow shots, get Ghost and scram
The artist knows how to navigate obstacles and quickly get out of danger.
Gingerbread niggaz on the run from feds
People in New York are running from the FBI for committing crimes.
Shit is sick, pretty chicks'll put a gun to ya head
In New York, even women are willing to kill over money.
Never a vic', either think quick or end up dead
In New York, one must always be alert and able to quickly react in dangerous situations.
'Cause when we flip, what's left to be said? New York
The artist confidently declares that New York is where it's at.
Yo, we was raised in the dead arm district
The artist grew up in a rough area of the city.
Before guns was called biscuits, Stapleton was on that hood shit
In this neighborhood, where the artist grew up, people were violent before guns were even common.
Live from the New York borough, keeping it thorough
The artist is representing the real New York and is always staying true to his roots.
Bunch of snakes in the grass, stay creepin' like squirrels
In New York, there are always people who are trying to take advantage of others.
Stuck ya man for his vegi's and his lame ass circus
In New York, people are willing to rob others for even the smallest amount of money.
So I dare niggaz act up, y'all niggaz act up
The singer is not afraid of anyone and is ready to face any challenge.
Now like cars in reverse, y'all better back up
The artist is warning others to stay out of his way or face the consequences.
Lyrics © Royalty Network
Written by: Anthony Cruz, Dennis Coles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lembk
Ghost snapper az snapped Rae solid as usual
@nymetsfan912
How can anyone give this banger a thumbs down. Goose bumps the second that beat drops and those lyrics destroy anything that these kids drop these days.
@charlesmoore8506
Found another jewel
@kenstar1981
Az has the sickest flows! 🔥🔥
@sdrice2007
Top 5 ever!
@jasongmaxwell
Real hip hop 90's allday baby
@twitchybenno
Still here 2022! Dope as fu*k
@dannybx78
Rep N.Y., no lie.
@Junior-fd8ux
So underrated it’s disgusting
@michaelbraddock1918
Play It On TV,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,