A very good cd
Overall this is an amazing cd. AZ raps fluidly and with a completely original style. The beats on this album are great, but they have a slightly poppier sound to them. Although i like how they sound, more subtle-minded hip hop fans, to whom i'd reccomend Illmatic or Doe or Die, might not appreciate the smooth crispness in this cd. The songs are generally catchy, especially how ya living," "love is love," "just because," and "last dayz." The album is both a moody dark reflection of life as a hustler, while it maintains a heartfelt an lively sound through some of the tracks. Overall, this is a thorough cd and my favorite of AZ's. I would reccomend it to just about all real hip hop fans who aren't too stuck on singles with catchy hooks that you can hear on the radio. Not that this isn't catchy. But get this cd. Its great.
AZ- Pieces of a Man
AZ's (Anthony Cruz) sophomore album "Pieces of a Man" (1998) was a decent follow up to his first album. To me AZ has always been one of those quality rappers that people have slept on, and continue to sleep on. Lyrically the Visualizer entertains me like few MC's, his lyrics and delivery always seem to be on point. AZ also has no weak releases as far I am concerned, this is not near his best album and arguably his worst but it is still laced with a number of memorable cuts like my favourite the L.E.S. produced "How You Livin" feat. Nas love the beat to this one. Matter of face I like all Nas/AZ collabs. Best collabration track for me on this was "Love is Love" feat. Nature & Half-A-Mil (R.I.P.). "What's the deal" is decent, as is upbeat party track "Just because". "Pay Back" flows smoothly through, and AZ drops a memorable chorus. "Last Dayz" feat. Monifah is one of those positive R&B/Rap collabrations that goes deep. Only came across this album recently when I thought I had all of AZ's releases, and found out I was missing one. Of all his joints this is probably the one with the most guest appearances and the most R & B influenced one (beats, appearances), you can tell it was crafted for mainstream appeal with tracks that should of easily blown up on the radio, all the same that did not happen as this one never got much attention. "Doe or Die" and "Aziatic" are my fav AZ albums but being a big AZ fan happy to have this one in the collection as well.
not as good as doe or die worth the hype
i love this album!!!!if u down wit az then this is an album for u. it's not doe or die but it defenitly has mad dope beats rymes and flow that will get u movin' god. this is on my top 20 list fo show. like i said before though it can't top doe or die.
(do if u have kazza and a ck burner)-u must add these 2 songs on the album and then it will be better or just as good as doe or die. the songs are hey az and desperatos. these songs were soposed to be on this album but werent for some dum reason. this will make it a top 10 cuase that is what will kill doe or die. if u dont like the firm then just keep hey az cuz the beets are dope they also got az's old style on it and it is dope.
get this album if u are a fan and if u like flow and if u like nas and if u like rap period. if u r down wit rap i garentee u will atleast like one song.
the best song is by far how you liven' cus it is wit nas and the beets are so phat ull bang your head even if u hate nas and az cus these are my all time favorite beets and i love az and nas is my alltime favorite rapper thats not dead. i actully like biggie the best but nas is next. for me hes even over pac but then raekwon then masta killa then pac then dre cus they always no how ta make you bounce cuase they mad dope but az is good but now i dont even like his style cuz his style aint the same.
if u want az at his best get his first 2 albums fo shizzle my nizzle.
The True Essence of Hip Hop, Any fan should buy this CD...
In a hip hop era where artists want to rap about nothing but their bling-bling and cash flow, you have an incredible MC like AZ who just keeps it down low and yet remains the high in the "most under-rated rapper in the game" contest. This album is incredible, AZ is so good at putting visual pictures in every line he spits, thats why he's the "visualizer." AZ is finally getting more recognition, which he deserves, on his new release "Aziatic." I love the album, but I feel this one is more complete, every verse just sounds so nice and perfect.
This album is perfect to listen to at the house, and an even better CD to ride to. His first single "what's the deal" is a true playas anthem, and likewise for tracks like "How Ya' Livin" (with Nas, incredible) and "The Pay Back" (this song is sick, the beat is a sample from Sade). That's the thing about Sosa, he can change it up for any audience that wants to appreciate his music, the ladies, the playas, hustlas, regular hip hop heads, for the clubs. In songs like "Just Because" can get the party started, and he definetly brings it on the deeper tracks like "The Last Days" (rhymes over R. Kelly "Body Callin" beat) and "Love is Love," which he intertwines his unique, smooth rhyming style with his knowledge and experience of life and blends them together to make powerful songs. Some other goods tracks on the album features Foxy Brown, Nature, & the RZA. Even the first two tracks are basically short intros, and you won't skip through them ever.
This album easily gets 5 stars, I've been a huge fan of AZ ever since his debut on Nas's illmatic. His incredible flow, delivery, and clever lyrics make him one of the brightest stars in the hip hop world today, and its gettin pretty dark in here..
A classic but not the best
This album is a great album but its not AZs best. If this was any other rapper this would be the album that they would be remembered by. The best song on this album is How Ya Livin feat Nas. This is probably the best AZ song of all time.
