AZ (rapper) : Ask Biography

Personal information

Birth name

Anthony Cruz

Origin

East New York, Brooklyn, New York

Genres

Hip hop, Mafioso rap, Gangsta rap

Occupation

Emcee

Years active

1992 � Present

Labels

EMI, Noo Trybe/Virgin, Motown, Koch, Real Talk Ent., Quiet Money Records

Associated acts

Nas, Foxy Brown, The Firm, Cormega, Wu-Tang Clan, DJ Premier, Half a Mill

Home | Musical Artists | AZ (rapper)

Anthony Cruz (born March 9, 1972, in Brooklyn), better known as AZ is a Grammy-nominated American rapper of Dominican & African American descent. He is known for being a long time and frequent rhyme partner of Nas, and also a member of hip-hop group The Firm alongside 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 #1 on the list. He was also included on About.com's list of the Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987 � 2007), where he was described as "arguably the most underrated lyricist ever."