AZ

AZ's frequent appearances on "underrated rappers" lists underscore a more precise characterization of his status as underappreciated among mainstream rap listeners, even as his extended career includes notable commercial peaks. The Brooklyn lyricist first drew widespread attention through his sole guest verse on Nas' Illmatic (1994), where he delivered densely packed syllables with apparent ease and supplied the concise yet vivid hook. Over the ensuing years, AZ reached number one on Billboard's R&B chart via his solo debut Doe or Die (1995), which included the gold-certified single "Sugar Hill," and attained the top spot on the Billboard 200 as part of the Firm on The Album (1997). Although his subsequent three albums each reached the Top Ten on the R&B chart and fourth solo effort Aziatic (2002) yielded the Grammy-nominated single "The Essence," broader solo mainstream breakthrough remained elusive. His reputation within hip-hop has nonetheless grown consistently across the decades, with his catalog extending into the 2020s through releases such as A.W.O.L. (2005), The Format (2006), and Doe or Die II (2021), alongside additional projects issued via his Quiet Money label.

Anthony "AZ" Cruz entered the world in Bedford-Stuyvesant and grew up in Brooklyn's East New York section. His entry into recording came when longtime friend and rising Queensbridge rapper Nas invited him into the booth to contribute to what became "Life's a Bitch," the third track on the multi-platinum 1994 album Illmatic. This led to an EMI recording contract, after which AZ issued his solo debut the following year with "Sugar Hill," like "Life's a Bitch" an L.E.S. production built around a slow jam from the prior decade. "Sugar Hill" entered Billboard's R&B/hip-hop chart in July, climbed to number 12, crossed into the pop Top 40 at number 25, and secured gold certification ahead of the parent album's October arrival. Doe or Die, stocked with additional vivid mobster narratives and productions from figures including Pete Rock and Buckwild, topped the R&B chart and reached number 15 on the Billboard 200, while also generating further placements through the Nas collaboration "Gimme Yours" and the title track.

Prior to his second album, AZ joined the Firm, a short-lived supergroup assembled by Nas and producers Dr. Dre and Trackmasters following his, Cormega's, and Foxy Brown's joint appearance on Nas' "Affirmative Action." With Nature replacing Cormega, the group debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in 1997 via their Aftermath-released The Album, a project carrying stronger pop inflections than any prior work from its members. (The original lineup later reconvened in 2020 on Nas' King's Disease.) After shifting from EMI to Noo Trybe, a hip-hop imprint under Virgin, alongside Gang Starr, AZ released his 1998 follow-up Pieces of a Man, which climbed to number 22 on the Billboard 200 without major singles. He reunited with Nas and L.E.S. on "How Ya Livin'" and worked with Trackmasters on the fan favorite "Sosa," while additional contributors included Foxy Brown and RZA.

AZ moved labels once more, this time to Motown, where he issued his third and fourth Top Ten R&B solo albums, 9 Lives in 2001 and Aziatic in 2002. Both reached Top Five on the R&B chart and Top 30 on the Billboard 200, each spawning a charting single in "Problems" and "I'm Back," respectively. Aziatic also featured "The Essence," the Nas collaboration that earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. After entering a distribution arrangement with independent Koch, AZ prepared to release his fifth album Final Call in 2004, only to shelve it amid claims that Koch postponed the launch and leaked material. (Koch later issued an official version in 2008 titled Final Call [The Lost Tapes].) Remaining with Koch and advancing his Quiet Money imprint, AZ issued A.W.O.L. in 2005, The Format in 2006, and Undeniable in 2008, all of which charted. Real Talk Entertainment put out AZ's eighth album, Legendary, in 2009.

Early in the 2010s, AZ followed with Doe or Die: 15th Anniversary, a project that functioned more as a celebration than a straightforward reissue through its blend of reworked and new material. Across the remainder of the decade, he put out various mixtapes and compilations, developed plans for a Doe or Die sequel, and contributed guest verses to tracks led by Ghostface Killah, Kool G Rap, and former group mates Nas and Cormega. AZ also authored and released the book Jewels, Gems & Treasures. Entering the 2020s, he maintained a steady flow of guest appearances on tracks by both peers and artists he influenced, ranging from G Rap and Nas to Rick Ross and Westside Gunn. Doe or Die II arrived on Quiet Money in 2021, featuring an accomplished roster of producers that encompassed returning contributors Pete Rock and Buckwild as well as Alchemist, KayGee, Baby Paul, and the Heatmakerz.