| Doe or Die | |
|---|---|
 Studio album by AZ | |
|
Released |
October 10, 1995 |
|
Recorded |
May 1994 - March 1995 |
|
Studio |
Chung King Studios |
|
Genre |
|
|
Length |
45:30 |
|
Label |
EMI Records |
|
Producer |
Amar Pep, AZ (exec.), Buckwild, DR Period, L.E.S., Loose, Lunatic Mind, N.O. Joe, Pete Rock, Ski, Spunk Bigga, Lindsey Williams (exec.), Damian "Deo" Blyden (exec.) |
| AZ chronology | |
|---|---|
|
Next |
Pieces of a Man (1998) |
Doe or Die is the debut studio album by American rapper AZ, released in October 10, 1995 on EMI Records. After making his debut on the album Illmatic by Nas, AZ signed to EMI Records in 1994. Recording sessions took place at Chung King Studios, Platinum Island Recording Studios, Electric Lady Studios and Greene Street Studios in New York City from May 1994 to March 1995. Production was handled by Pete Rock, L.E.S., Buckwild, Loose, DR Period, Amar Pep, N.O. Joe, Lunatic Mind, Ski and Spunk Bigga. It includes guest appearances by Miss Jones, Nas, Amar Pep and Barshawn.
The album incorporates fictional tales chronicling the underworld lifestyle of organised criminal. These cinematic narratives often depict a mobster's ascent to fame and wealth. Further emphasising these themes, the cover of Doe or Die portrays AZ as an honoree of an elaborate mob funeral, while the album's liner notes feature images of AZ counting money, drinking expensive wine and smoking cigars.
Upon release, Doe or Die achieved notable critical and commercial success. The album peaked at #15 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts in the United States. Doe or Die released the four singles ("Gimme Yours", "Sugar Hill", "Mo' Money, Mo' Murder (Homicide)" and "Doe or Die") also performed well on the charts. Doe or Die received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its lyricism but gave criticism to some of the album's production.
Track listing[]
| No. | Title | Performer(s) | Producer(s) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Intro" | - | Lunatic Mind (co.), AZ (co.) | 1:18 |
| 2. | "Uncut Raw" | AZ | Loose, AZ (co.) | 2:59 |
| 3. | "Gimme Your's" | AZ, Nas | Pete Rock | 3:50 |
| 4. | "Ho Happy Jackie" | AZ | Buckwild | 3:35 |
| 5. | "Rather Unique" | AZ | Pete Rock | 4:50 |
| 6. | "I Feel for You" | AZ | Amar, AZ (co.) | 3:04 |
| 7. | "Sugar Hill" | AZ | L.E.S. | 4:09 |
| 8. | "Mo Money, Mo Murder "Homicide" | AZ, Nas | DR Period | 6:31 |
| "Born Alone, Die Alone" | AZ | Lunatic Mind (co.), AZ (co.) | ||
| 9. | "Doe or Die" | AZ | N.O. Joe | 4:39 |
| 10. | "We Can't Win" | AZ, Amar | Amar, AZ (co.) | 3:23 |
| 11. | "Your World Don't Stop" | AZ | Spunk Bigga (original), Ski (remix) | 3:33 |
| 12. | "Sugar Hill (Remix)" | AZ | L.E.S. | 4:18 |
Samples[]
Uncut Raw
- "Back From the Dead" by King Errisson
Gimme Yours
- "Here We Go" by Minnie Riperton feat. Peabo Bryson
- "Give Me" by I-Level
Ho Happy Jackie
- "Gettin' Down for Xmas" by Milly & Silly
- "Little Children" by Kool & the Gang
Rather Unique
- "Funky Drummer" by James Brown
- "Anticipation" by Les McCann
- "Just Rhymin' With Biz" by Big Daddy Kane feat. Biz Markie
Sugar Hill
- "Sugar Free" by Juicy
Mo' Money, Mo' Murder (Homicide)
- "Cry Together" by The O'Jays
Born Alone, Die Alone
- "Peaceful Ones" by Lonnie Liston Smith
Doe or Die
- "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Your World Don't Stop
- "School Boy Crush" by Average White Band
- "Who Am I" by The O'Jays
- "You're Welcome, Stop on By" by Lou Donaldson
Sugar Hill (Remix)
- "It Wasn't Me, It Was the Fame" by EPMD