*this review has nothing to do with the overlooked emcees/muthafuckas week, it was just posted late.
My first album had no famous guest appearances. The outcome? I'm crowned the best lyricist - Got Urself A Gun by Nas
Words from Nasir Jones's fifth album Stillmatic. On his original solo effort Illmatic, Nas had only one guest appearance and that was AZ the Visualiza. One year later AZ released his debut album. Neither of them achieved stellar sales until Illmatic went platinum in 2001. Doe or Die went gold in 1995 and AZ's name was launched into hip hop fame for at least a brief amount of time before his name would become underground legend. This album is considered along with Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx to be one of the first mafioso rap albums. It even hit number one on the rap/R&B Charts. Given all that I've stated, did AZ's vision create a good album? Well,
Intro
Just skip and pretend this never happened.
Uncut Raw
Life is a struggle, that's why niggas I know stay on the juggle, Some hustle to double, others hug you to mug you Now do the opposite because this is awesome. This should've opened the album up. AZ just does what you want him to, he goes off with every bit of aggression and lyricism that you would want or expect.
Gimme Yours feat. Nas
It's realism so I visualize it to live it
Nas does the chorus here with AZ, his voice is rather light and kinda similar to his own song Undying Love. Aside from that this is actually a pretty solid follow up given the verses. The hook's just a little weak, AZ could've done it himself.
Ho Happy Jackie
Nas appears again but only in conversation form with AZ talking about a fine ol' hoe named Jackie. It actually is amusing. So the track follows up with AZ forewarning men about seductive women who only want your money. it's alright but i feel he could've done a little more with the concept.
Rather Unique
How could i be weak? i'm very unique
Departing from that theme we enter Rather Unique. This is oddly my favorite track here, it's just very soothing and pleasant overall. There's some charm about this one with AZ's verses are solid but it's just the overall feel of this song.
I Feel For You feat. Erica Scott
Now this is a return to the AZ i expected on this album. It's borderline Uncut Raw Part II, and i'm fine with that. AZ spits with a little less aggression but it's still dope.
Sugar Hill feat. Miss Jones
You just keep poppin' up in my life Miss Jones, it's like we were meant to be. This was the single for Doe or Die, it's very R&B like and a departure from some of the themes here which could be a bad sign for an artist but is it here? Not really, AZ rocks with it fine and doesn't come off as soft, Miss Jones is also great as usual.
Mo' Money Mo' Murder (Homicide) feat. Nas
Mo Money, Mo Money, Mo Homicide, catch that body nigga better have that alibi
Now this is great, its the longest track but it doesn't drag. Nas is used better here than he has been on the past tracks of the LP. it's the most classic AZ track out there, and it is a well known one to fit my statement.
Doe or Die
The title track samples The Message by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five and Life's a Bitch by Nas and our host. By the way it's pronounced do or die, if you couldn't tell. Here AZ is in a do or die situation on the run and he's good for the most part though i feel the beat could've been more suspenseful like say Big L's Casualties of a Dice Game. It's decent.
We Can't Win feat. Amar Pep
The hook, is mildly irritating with a "wweee cannntt winnn" playing over and over. The guest, Amar Pep is passable. Wasn't impressed and AZ outshines him as expected. Not much to say here.
Your World Don't Stop
AZ tells a story as a convict trying to find his way outta prison and lay low in life, it's a dope ending i'd say. I would've liked a few more concept or story telling tracks like this on here but i'll take what I can get. The only thing holding songs like this and Doe or Die back is the production and beats were not as stellar as Illmatic. While the album does have a Pete Rock beat and some Buckwild, i think AZ deserved a little better.
Bonus: Sugar Hill (remix) feat. Miss Jones
as you could imagine, it's a remix of Sugar Hill. The beat suits AZ better than the original version but i do prefer the initial track we were given but i'll take this. The album ends off on a slow piano note.
The Highlights:
Uncut Raw
Sugar Hill
Mo Money, Mo Murder
The Lowlight:
We Can't Win
The Gem:
Rather Unique
Is it Worth a Purchase?
I did really enjoy this re-listen and I do understand a lot of the praise for this. Would I call it a classic? Sure, why not. There's not much bad material aside from We Can't Win and even that isn't awful. But there are a few things I think about it could've been improved. Like for one...less Nas. Call me crazy but only in Mo Money, Mo Murda is he utilized well. I was hoping for a few more tracks with some good concepts or story telling to stick in the mind better but there are some great songs here i replay rather often, also that Amar Pep guy. For only two guest rappers you could've done a tad better there. I'd recommend a buy, I know a lot of people who have heard this and not one who hasn't enjoyed it.
Overall Grade: A-
Until next time, One Love.
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