AZ – “Doe or Die III” review

Here we have the 11th studio LP & Mass Appeal Records debut from Brooklyn, New York veteran AZ. Most notable for his longtime association with Nas being the only feature on the latter’s iconic debut illmatic with the song “Life’s a Bitch”, he would later go to signing with EMI Records & drop a full-length of his own Doe or Die a little over a year later becoming one of the greatest mafioso hip hop albums of all-time. Other standouts in his discography include Pieces of a Man, Aziatic, A.W.O.L., The Format, Doe or Die II & the Buckwild-produced Truth Be Told. In light of Quiet Money Records’ new distribution deal with Mass Appeal however, Doe or Die III looks to complete the trilogy.

After the “Origin” intro, the opening track “No Need for Lactose” hooks up a boom bap instrumental from Ron Browz to get things going sending a shoutout to his hype homies & those serving 25 to life behind bars whereas “Gimme the World” demands what others can’t give back over a Large Professor instrumental. The 2nd & final single “Uniqueness” chops up a sample thanks to Mike & Keys questioning life while the lead single “So High” continues the reflective lyrics over a smooth Bink! beat.

“Still Jackie” after the “Hoe Happy” skit kicks off the 2nd half with a sequel to “Ho Happy Jackie” off the original Doe or Die accompanied by an exuberant Statik Selektah instrumental backing him but after “Surprise” featuring Nas teams up over a soulful Mike & Keys beat so they can talk about the mafioso shit they became known for 3 decades earlier, Bink! continues sampling soul music during “Fresh Water” for Sosa to preach some ghetto gospel.

The track “Winners Win” produced by Buckwild nears Doe or Die III’s backend cautioning for people not to get shit confused & simply do what you do over a laidback boom bap instrumental while “I Was Once There Too” jazzily talks about understanding the perspective of people who aren’t getting what’s due. The final song “Love My Life” preceding the “We Made It” outro takes up the album’s last couple minutes expressing the gratitude he has for the way his life turned out.

It’s surprising to me that AZ didn’t put anything out through Mass Appeal Records sooner considering the rich history between him & Nas, but Doe or Die III joins Truth Be Told & of course Doe or Die II in revitalizing his career 3 decades since his revolutionary debut as well as concluding one of hip hop’s most satisfying mafioso trilogies whether it be the cinematically polished boom bap production or the intricate storytelling.

Score: 4.5/5

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AZ – “Truth Be Told” review

Brooklyn veteran AZ is starting the final month of 2023 by putting out his 10th full-length LP. Most notable for his longtime association with Nas being the only feature on the latter’s iconic debut album illmatic with the song “Life’s a Bitch”, he would later go to signing with EMI Records & drop a full-length of his own Doe or Die a little over a year later becoming one of the greatest mafioso hip hop albums of all time. Other standouts in his discography include Pieces of a Man, Aziatic, A.W.O.L. & The Format & more recently Doe or Die II which was a return to form for him personally. But for his 2nd album of the 2020s, he’s enlisting Buckwild from D.I.T.C. to fully produce Truth Be Told.

After the intro, the first song “Reintroduction” sets the tone of what’s to come hooking up a soul sample with kicks & snares admitting that he’s been going for this going for the game-winning shot with only a few seconds left in the 4th quarter whereas “Don’t Go Astray” goes for a bluesy/boom bap vibe talking about real ones never head off target or into any sort of wrongdoing. “One of the Greatest” works in more kicks & snares accompanied by a mellow loop rightfully calling himself that leading into “Amazing” looking back on moments in his life over a prettier instrumental.

“Still Got It” proves Sosa’s point that he hasn’t lost a step with the pen since returning to making music on top of a soulful beat just before “G.O.A.T.” goes for a sample-heavy sound talking about his greatness. The lead single “This is Why” has some rock undertones to the instrumental a bit as he looks to remain fly, but then “Go Time” featuring Pharoahe Monch brings this orchestral flip in the picture so both of them can get on their battle shit.

The penultimate track & final single that just came out last weekend “How We Get It” featuring Fat Joe takes a lavish approach musically as both of them break down the way each of them get it individually & lastly, “Respect Mine” ends Truth Be Told by bringing it raw 1-last time breaking down his legacy for the last minute & 45 seconds left of this half-hour long LP.

Some were calling me crazy because I loved Doe or Die II more than others & I still believe it’s AZ’s best since The Format due to Undeniable & Legendary not being that well received. That said: Truth Be Told matches the caliber of that previous album we got a little over 2 years ago & is his 2nd consecutive classic in this decade. Sosa manages to refine & update his style with the help of his longtime collaborator from The Bronx.

Score: 4.5/5

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AZ – “Doe or Die II” review

AZ is a 49 year old MC from Brooklyn, New York most notable for his longtime association with Nas, being the only feature on the latter’s iconic debut album illmatic with the song “Life’s a Bitch”. He would later go to signing with EMI Records & drop a full-length of his own Doe or Die little over a year later, which is one of the greatest mafioso hip hop albums of all time. Other standouts in his discography include Pieces of a Man, Aziatic, A.W.O.L. & The Format. Last time we heard from AZ was in 2009 when he released Legendary to mixed reception but after a 12 year hiatus, he’s returning with a promising sequel to the album that started it all.

After the “Conversations with God” intro, the first song “Just 4 U” has a rich instrumental from B!nk by paying tribute to the listener whereas “The Wheel” is a boom bap duet with Jahiem produced by DJ KG telling Heaven to help them because they’re still caught in a metaphorical wheel. Baby Paul helps take things to a dustier route on “Keep It Real” paying tribute to those who keep it 100 leading into the jazzy “Never Enough”, where AZ & Rick Ross get on their mafioso shit.

Meanwhile for “Different”, we have a classy celebration of life just before Conway the Machine & Lil Wayne assist the barfest that is “Ritual” with a grimy instrumental from none other than The Alchemist. Things than take a churchy turn with the help of Buckwild for AZ & Dave East to flex their wealth on “Blow That Shit”, but then declares himself as “Bulletproof” with a glistening boom bap beat accompanying him.

Pete Rock brings in an eargasmic vocal sample for “Check Me Out” flexing AZ’s rapping prowess while the song “Time to Answer” responds to those asking him what’s the hold up with his new music & of course The Heatmakerz stick to their signature chipmunk soul sound. The penultimate track “Found My Niche” lyrically needs no further explanation with a spacious boom bap instrumental from The Czar-Keys & the Rockwilder-produced “What’s Good” is a rich closer asking if you’re living or dying.

In the grand scheme of sequel albums, Doe or Die II absolutely lived up to the hype of the original & was well worth the 12 year wait. Hell, I’ll even go as far to say it’s a tad bit better than King’s Disease II. AZ spitting that grown man shit like he never left, the features all come correct & the production is a lot more detailed than it was on Legendary.

Score: 4.5/5