AZ (rapper)

Anthony Cruz (born March 9, 1972), better known by his stage name AZ, is an American rapper. He was born in Brooklyn, New York. He is famous for being a long-time and frequent rhyme partner of Nas. He is also a member of the hip hop group The Firm with Nas, Foxy Brown, Cormega and Nature.
In a countdown of the 10 Most Underappreciated Rappers—Most Underrated Rappers of All Time, the editors of About.com listed AZ as number one on the list. He was as well featured on About.com's list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007). That was where he was identified as "arguably the most underrated lyricist ever."
Early life.
AZ was born in Bedford–Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. He is of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in East New York, Brooklyn, with his mother and sister.
AZ began writing rap lyrics when he was 12 years old. He attended Eli Whitney High School with fellow Brooklyn rapper Jay-Z until the vocational school closed down in the late 1980s. 
In the early 1990s, he became friends with Queens rapper Nas.
Career.
AZ appeared on Nas' album "Illmatic" in 1994. After AZ signed with EMI, he released his first album, "Doe or Die" (1995). The album's lead single, "Sugar Hill", became AZ's major commercial success as a solo artist. It reached number 25 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 and was certified Gold by the RIAA. 
In 1997, AZ joined the hip hop group The Firm with Nas, Nature and Foxy Brown. They released their only album as a group, "The Album". 
In 1998, AZ released his second solo album, "Pieces of a Man". 
After "Pieces of a Man" was released, AZ signed with Motown and Universal Records. He released the album "9 Lives". In 2002, he released the album "Aziatic". A single from the album, "The Essence" (featuring Nas), was nominated at the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.