A.W.O.L. (album)

Last updated
A.W.O.L.
Awol.jpg
Studio album by
AZ
ReleasedSeptember 6, 2005 (2005-09-06)
Recorded2005
Genre East Coast hip hop
Length54:32
Label Fastlife
Producer
AZ chronology
Aziatic
(2002)
A.W.O.L.
(2005)
The Format
(2006)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Cokemachineglow 70/100% [2]
HipHopDX 3/5 [3]
IGN 8/10 [4]
Now Noto Color- N.svgNoto Color- N.svgNoto Color- N.svgBlue square N.PNGBlue square N.PNG [5]
PopMatters 8/10 [6]
RapReviews9/10 [7]
Stylus B [8]

A.W.O.L. is the fifth studio album by American rapper AZ. It was released on September 6, 2005 via Fast Life Music. Production was handled by The Heatmakerz, Baby Paul, Disco D, DJ Premier, Emile Haynie, Frado, J-Hen, Jimi Kendrix, Lil' Fame, MoSS, Vinny Idol, Buckwild, DJ Absolut, Tone Mason and Young Calvin. It features guest appearances from Begetz, Bounty Killer, Ghostface Killah, Half a Mill, Noe, Raekwon and CL Smooth.

Contents

In the United States, the album peaked at number 73 on the Billboard 200, number 17 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, number 10 on the Top Rap Albums and number 5 on the Independent Albums charts.

The album was supported with four 12" promotional singles: "Serious" b/w "Live Wire", "AZ's Chillin" b/w "Never Change", "The Come Up" b/w "Magic Hour" and "Still Alive" b/w "New York".

Background

The album was recorded after Final Call , which AZ declined to release because his label had pushed its release back two months—according to him, they were also the source of its early leak to the press and the internet. Garnering critical praise with production from highly regarded New York underground acts such as DJ Premier, Buckwild, and DipSet production duo the Heatmakerz, the rapper abandoned his previously money-oriented subject matter, stating that he "wanted it to be all street". [9] A.W.O.L. is the first album AZ released on his own Quiet Money Records imprint. A.W.O.L. 1.5 was released several months later, which included a bonus disc featuring a cappella and instrumental versions to the songs on A.W.O.L..

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."So Sincere"
The Heatmakerz 1:57
2."Never Change"
  • Cruz
  • Green
  • Thomas
The Heatmakerz4:26
3."New York" (featuring Raekwon and Ghostface Killah) Emile 3:45
4."Can't Stop"
  • Cruz
  • Alfredo Rivera
Frado4:15
5."Still Alive" (featuring Noe)
  • Cruz
  • Duane Bridgeford
  • Randy Ousley Jr
Vinny Idol4:04
6."AZ's Chillin'" Fizzy Womack 3:55
7."City of Gods"
  • Cruz
  • Darrin Dean
Disco D 4:14
8."Street Life" (featuring Half a Mill and Begetz)
J-Hen4:33
9."Bedtime Story"
2:12
10."The Come Up" DJ Premier 3:46
11."Envious" (featuring Bounty Killer) MoSS 2:57
12."A.W.O.L."
  • Cruz
  • Hendricks
  • Michael Risko
Vinny Idol3:39
13."Live Wire" Buckwild 10:49
14."Magic Hour" (featuring CL Smooth) Tone Mason  
15."The Truth"
  • Cruz
  • Shaune Muir
  • K. Compas
  • DJ Absolut
  • Young Calvin
 
Total length:54:32
Notes

Charts

Chart (2005)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 [10] 73
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [11] 17
US Top Rap Albums (Billboard) [12] 10
US Independent Albums (Billboard) [13] 5

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References

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