THIS DAY IN HIP HOP

WE HIGHLIGHT A SPECIAL MOMENT IN THE HIP HOP CULTURE. THIS IS TODAY'S....

MARCH.9TH 1972

AZ was born Anthony Cruz in Brooklyn, New York, on this day in 1972. AZ first burst onto the music scene appearing on Nas’ track “Life’s A B” from the Queens MC’s classic 1994 debut album “Illmatic.” AZ then released his debut album “Doe Or Die” on EMI Records in 1995. The album produced the gold-selling hit single “Sugar Hill” and the hit title track. In 1997, AZ joined Nas’ super-group The Firm, which also included Foxy Brown, Cormega, and then later Nature. The Firm would release their one and only album, simply entitled, “The Album” in 1997 on Dr. Dre’s Aftermath label with the legendary producer turning the knobs on it as well. n 1998, AZ released his sophomore album “Pieces Of A Man”. In 2001, AZ signed with Motown Records and released his third album “9 Lives”. AZ has released five albums since then, 2002’s “Aziatic”, 2005’s “A.W.O.L.”, 2006’s “The Format”, 2008’s “Undeniable” and 2009’s Legendary”. AZ is considered by many as one of the most underrated MC’s ever.