Aziatic | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | June 11, 2002 | |||
Recorded | 2001–2002 | |||
Genre | Hip hop | |||
Length | 47:08 | |||
Label | Motown | |||
Producer | DR Period, Portlay, Chop D.I.E.S.E.L., L.E.S., Baby Paul, Miller Time, Buckwild, Big Joe | |||
AZ chronology | ||||
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Singles from Aziatic | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [1] |
HipHopDX | [2] |
RapReviews | [3] |
Rhapsody | favorable [4] |
Robert Christgau | [5] |
Rolling Stone | [6] |
Stylus | A [7] |
The Source | [ citation needed ] |
Aziatic is the fourth studio album by the rapper AZ, released on June 11, 2002.
After two albums that received vastly differing responses ( Pieces of a Man in 1998 and 9 Lives in 2001), his fourth album is considered AZ's comeback album, which restored his credibility. The album features AZ's flow and style over melodic, soulful production. It includes a duet between AZ and his long-time friend and collaborator, Nas, "The Essence", which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group. The album sold over 500,000 copies [8] and was certified Gold by the RIAA.
The album was mostly well received by critics. One such positive review from Brad Mills at Allmusic, says, "AZ has been looked upon to do amazing things with his music. Has he lived up to those high expectations? On this album he has. From start to finish, the beats on this album are complex, inventive, and almost perfectly suited for AZ's style of rhyming. He's carefully crafted this album rather than slapped it together overnight to meet his quota, and it shows. It helps immensely that he's brought along people like DR Period, Az Izz, Nas, and Buckwild, but they don't outshine the younger AZ and he holds his own well." [1]
He continues by writing, "Lyrically, musically, and historically, AZ has come up with his best work in a long time on this album." [1]
No. | Title | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Once Again" | DR Period | 2:38 |
2. | "A-1 Performance" | Portiay | 3:53 |
3. | "Wanna Be There" | Chop D.I.E.S.E.L. | 3:55 |
4. | "Take It Off" | L.E.S. | 4:23 |
5. | "The Essence" (featuring Nas) | Baby Paul | 3:29 |
6. | "Hands in the Air" (featuring DJ Rogers Jr.) | Precision | 4:14 |
7. | "Fan Mail" | Miller Time | 3:36 |
8. | "Paradise (Life)" | Miller Time | 2:54 |
9. | "Take Care of Me" | Precision | 3:41 |
10. | "I'm Back" (featuring El Shaber) | Buckwild | 3:12 |
11. | "Hustler" (featuring Animal and Trav) | Chop D.I.E.S.E.L. | 4:08 |
12. | "Rebirth" | Buckwild | 2:00 |
13. | "Aziatic (Outro)" | Chop D.I.E.S.E.L. | 0:57 |
14. | "Doing Me" (Bonus Track) | Big Joe</Jouyn Adams | 3:48 |
Year | Album | Chart positions | |
Billboard 200 | Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums | ||
2002 | Aziatic | #29 | #5 |
Year | Song | Chart positions | |||
Billboard Hot 100 | Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | Hot Rap Singles | |||
2002 | "I'm Back" | - | #63 | - |
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