AZ - 9 Lives

Five years after the critical celebration surrounding his debut release, Doe Or Die, AZ's name suddenly didn't seem all that familiar. Sure, Doe Or Die had indeed been a quiet classic of sorts, but it never shook the cash register, and his subsequent efforts were even less successful from a commercial standpoint. Perhaps it was no surprise then that he encountered problems with his label after the indifferent response to his sophomore album in 1998. But three years later, AZ returned with a new label, Motown, and what he obviously feels is a comeback of sorts, 9 Lives. There are some problems with this comeback, though. First of all, Motown has never been known as a fostering environment for rap artists. Secondly, perhaps related to the first problem, there is a serious lack of big-money talent on 9 Lives. Granted, these problems are purely commercial, but they're bad omens for any contemporary, commercial rap effort. No matter whether or not AZ actually succeeds with his unofficial comeback from a commercial standpoint, he's done an admirable job when judged purely on artistic merit -- his rhymes are obviously well written, he delivers them with enthusiasm, and his low-profile production team turns in some good second-rate-style sample-laden beats. But "admirable performance" is about the best you can say about the album. Released June 12, 2001 on Motown Records, the album peaked at #23 on the Billboard 200 chart and #4 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums.

''Intro'' (Produced By. Big Shy) 1:28

''What Cha Day About'' (feat. Ali Vegas) (Produced By. Qur'an Goodman) 4:03

''I Don't Give A Fuck'' (Produced By. Chop D.I.E.S.E.L.) 3:36

''At Night'' (Produced By. Chop D.I.E.S.E.L.) 3:53

''AZ's Back'' (Produced By. Tank) 3:35

''Problems'' (Produced By. Chop D.I.E.S.E.L.) 4:08

''Everything's Everything'' (feat. Joe) (Produced By. DJ Eddie F & Darren Lighty) 4:37

''That's Real'' (feat. Beanie Sigel) (Produced By. Bink) 4:19

''What Y'all Niggas Want'' (feat. Foxy Brown) (Produced By. Chop D.I.E.S.E.L.) 3:30

''Let's Toast'' (Produced By. Mahogany Music) 3:59

''How Many Wanna'' (feat. Amil) (Produced By. Miller Time) 3:52

''Love Me'' (Produced By. D.R. Period) 3:42

''Quiet Money TBS'' (Produced By. Tydro & Tyrone Fyffe) 4:56

''Outro'' (Produced By. Big Shy) 0:40


http://www.mediafire.com/?zdj2dzgj2hw

(if you like what you hear GO OUT AND PURCHASE the album cuz if its good music its worth it)