Doe or Die [PA] by Az (CD, Oct-1995, EMI Music Distribution)

AZ being one of the many under the radar mc's debut album is a classic. If anyone thought this kid was just riding the coat tails of Nas, boy were they wrong. His fluid like flow is reminiscent of Rakim meets Kool G. Rap. He's conscious and gangsta on a well balanced level. I think this is hard task because too conscious and some listeners are lost and vice versa. It shows his ability to be do what most mc's can't do to save their life. Put thug poetry to solid production and not get caught up in your own hype. He still releases solid albums after all his years in the game. 9 lives, Aziatic, A.W.O.L. and the Formula aren't bad at all for a collection of albums. Radio shows him no love, but true hip hopper's let no one go under the radar for long. Keeping my ears to the beat forever.
LUV

Features the 1995 classic "Sugar Hill". Also features production from Pete Rock and rapping from AZ proteje Nas.