AZ

AZ, a lyrical rapper from Brooklyn, gained recognition for his standout guest verse on Nas' Illmatic in 1994 before achieving commercial success with his solo debut album Doe or Die in 1995. Despite several Top Ten R&B albums and notable collaborations, mainstream solo success has eluded him. Over the years, his influence in hip-hop has steadily grown, with a discography that includes projects like A.W.O.L. (2005) and Doe or Die II (2021) released on his Quiet Money label.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, AZ's career took off after his feature on Nas' Illmatic, leading to a solo record deal and the release of his successful debut album Doe or Die in 1995. He later joined the supergroup The Firm and continued to release solo albums that garnered critical acclaim but failed to achieve mainstream success. Despite label changes, AZ maintained a consistent output of music, with projects like Aziatic (2002) and Do or Die II (2021) showcasing his lyrical prowess and enduring influence in the hip-hop scene.