The beat is phenomenal and makes the entire flow of the track on point. We get Nas on the intro and chorus providing half singing and half rapping which we rarely hear and we get Pete Rock on production. Track number 3 is “Gimme Yours”, now this is dope in every way.
Already, I can sense we’ll get a whole lot of variation. Like I said, a ton of people having a hand in beat development will do that. It’s more than what I would expect given the calmer intro we would have just heard. On the production side, the first thing I notice is the crazy fast tempo. The streets are filled up with guns galore”Įasy to follow along and engaging to the listener, AZ paints a vivid picture with his incredible flow and delivery. Space, like three Ls laced with coke in em” “Life is a struggle, that’s why n***** I know stay on the juggle
Each verse deals with a different aspect and the last little verse concludes it perfectly. The way he sets up the track was also something to be noted, as it’s organized. Two very different levels of gangster but the way AZ delivers it, the comparison is similar. He starts again by loosely reminding us of Alejandro Sosa from Scarface when he says “pure straight out of Bolivia” (which I’m going to say was also inspired by U-God’s verse on “Da Mystery of Chessboxin’”) while incorporating the New York street, drug, sex and violence life which has always been so rampant. The first official track is “Uncut Raw”, which is lyrically one of my favorite tracks. AZ said it and he stayed true to exactly that, as he delivers raw, uncensored, real NY style lyrics that the “streets” loved. I appreciate the opening line of the verse: “The first bars I’ve ever spitted I scarred the game” which subtly references his feature spot on “Life’s A B****” He definitely claims relevancy from the jump, but then his humility shows when he says “Catch me, f*** sales, long as the streets accept me”. From the jump, AZ starts name dropping “Sosa” from Scarface of course, given his entire persona of Mafioso life and rapping, it’s merited. I always pay attention to these for reasons which I’ve mentioned in previous album reviews, as it sets the tone and is indicative of what we can expect in upcoming tracks. He kicks off his album much like everyone else. With a ton of people involved in producing this album, it’s difficult to anticipate the cohesiveness, but I’m positive we’ll be pleasantly surprised. Let’s take a look at the album that truly categorized AZ amongst the most talented but underrated rappers of all time. His lyrical brilliance, his flow and storytelling tactics are on point and the result is one that belongs in every music library. His talent, intelligence, insight and wisdom is infused into every track. We have the chance to highlight and take an in depth look at AZ’s debut album “Doe Or Die” and to give this album it’s much needed recognition and appreciation.Īfter his appearance on “Life’s A B****” and sometime before being inducted into Nas’ run at a “Hip Hop Mafia” with The Firm, AZ recorded his first solo project and blessed the Hip Hop world with a certified masterpiece. He’s easily one of the three most underrated and under appreciated MC’s of all time (IMO) and an often forgotten gem of Hip Hop… but that’s where DAR comes in. Of course I’m referring to none other than AZ. Today, we’re talking the one rapper who has almost always lived in the shadow of Nas and has been his friend since the days of “ Illmatic”. I dreamed of guns and tons of coke on a car chaseįantastic reference that epitomizes a “mafioso rap” style with almost flawless delivery.