AZ

AZ, born Anthony Cruz on March 9, 1972, is a rapper from Brooklyn, New York, celebrated for his smooth, unhurried flow and intricate, novelistic storytelling. He first gained wide attention in 1994 with a guest verse on Nas's landmark debut album Illmatic, on the track «Life's a Bitch», widely regarded as one of the greatest guest appearances in hip-hop history.

That exposure led to a deal with EMI Records, and in 1995 AZ released his debut album, Doe or Die, a critical and commercial success that established him among the era's most gifted lyricists. The album included standout tracks such as «Sugar Hill», reflecting on the highs and lows of street life, and «Gimme Yours», both of which showcased his laid-back delivery and vivid narrative style.

AZ went on to build a lasting body of work across the following decades, maintaining a reputation as a rapper's rapper whose technical precision and understated cool influenced generations of East Coast hip-hop artists. His association with Nas and the Doe or Die-era sound remains a defining reference point in 1990s New York rap.