AZ On Illmatic, JAY-Z, The Firm, Mixtape Culture, Untold Stories, New Album & More | Drink Champs 

My Expert Opinion EP #220: Az talks Firm Biz, lyrical impact on the impact on the industry, new album + Much More 

AZ continues to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his debut album with a brand new song. The Brooklyn veteran has been preparing the re-release of his ’95 LP, Doe Or Die.  

It’s been 20 years since AZ released his debut album Doe Or Die on EMI Records. The 12-track studio LP dropped on October 10, 1995 a year after we first heard AZ on Nas’ iconic Illmatic album with the hit “Life’s A Bitch.”  

When Illmatic is brought up in rap circles, AZ is usually the name that comes up first after Nas. After all, AZ is the one who wrote the hook that sparked a whole movement about enduring personal frustrations to reach celebratory highs.  

One of the game's most underrated MCs—AZ—is gearing up to re-release his debut album Doe or Die in celebration of its 20th anniversary this month. Back in 1995, Doe or Die became one of the most anticipated projects in rap history after AZ's verse on "Life's A Bitch" off Nas' Illmatic.