Doe or Die

Last updated
Doe or Die
Az doe or die.JPG
Studio album by
AZ
ReleasedOctober 10, 1995 (1995-10-10)
Recorded1994–1995
Genre
Length45:24
Label EMI
Producer
AZ chronology
Doe or Die
(1995)
The Album
(1997)
Singles from Doe or Die
  1. "Sugar Hill"
    Released: June 27, 1995

Doe or Die is the debut studio album by rapper AZ, released October 10, 1995, by EMI Records. The album features guest appearances by artists such as Nas and Miss Jones, and production from N.O. Joe, Pete Rock, L.E.S., and Buckwild, among others. The album spawned the single "Sugar Hill" - which was certified gold by the RIAA in 1995.

Contents

Upon release, Doe or Die achieved notable critical and commercial success. The album peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard 200, [1] and No. 1 on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. [2] Doe or Die produced several singles, including, "Mo Money, Mo Murder," "Gimme Yours (remix)," "Doe or Die" and "Sugar Hill" - which was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1995. [3] The album went on to sell over a million copies [4] A sequel, Doe or Die II , was released on September 10, 2021.

Content

The album incorporates fictitious tales chronicling the underworld lifestyle of organized crime. These cinematic narratives often depict a mobster's ascent to fame and wealth.[ citation needed ] Further emphasizing these themes, the cover of Doe or Die portrays AZ as an honoree of an elaborate mob funeral. Within the cover, a portrait of AZ is surrounded by flowers, while the body of the rapper is buried in a casket that contains large amounts of dollars. [5] In addition, the liner notes and the back of the album features images of AZ counting money, drinking expensive wine, and smoking cigars.[ citation needed ]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [6]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
RapReviews8.5/10 [9]
The Source Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Spin 7/10 [11]

Upon its release, Doe or Die received generally favorable reviews from most music critics. Stanton Swihart from AllMusic compared certain aspects of it to Nas' debut album Illmatic , stating "The two albums are very much the twin sides of the same double-headed coin. They are so closely connected, in fact, that it's difficult to pinpoint where Doe or Die's points of departure are located." He viewed it as "one of the strongest, most promising debut efforts of 1995" and one of the strongest rap albums of the year. [6] Christian Hoard from Rolling Stone called it a "literate, sensitive look at street life that sits comfortably, as a companion, next to Nas' masterpiece (Illmatic)." [8] Selwyn Seyfu Hinds from Spin noted the well-defined structure of the album, comparing AZ's delivery to Kool G Rap's. [11]

Although praising the album's lyricism, Los Angeles Times writer Cheo H. Coker criticized the album's production, describing some of it as "lackluster beats". [7] In a retrospective review, a critic for RapReviews labeled Doe or Die as "AZ's best album to date", with the "most replay value". The reviewer believed it deserves to be mentioned alongside albums such as Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... , It Was Written , and Reasonable Doubt for popularizing the Mafioso style rap, highlighting the fact that Doe or Die preceded two of them. Simultaneously, he criticized some of the album's production and its lack of consistency. He ended the review, saying "All in all, this album is slept on and should be viewed as a gem that must be in every true head's collection". [9]

Track listing

#TitlePerformer(s)Producer(s)Time
1"Intro"AZ,
Lunatic Mind
1:18
2"Uncut Raw"
  • AZ
Loose2:59
3"Gimme Yours"
  • Intro/chorus: Nas
  • Verses: AZ
Pete Rock 3:07
4"Ho Happy Jackie"
  • AZ
Buckwild 3:34
5"Rather Unique"
  • AZ
Pete Rock4:49
6"I Feel for You"
  • Verses: AZ
  • Backing vocals: Erica Scott
Amar Pep3:03
7"Sugar Hill" L.E.S. 4:09
8"Mo Money, Mo Murder"
  • AZ, Nas
DR Period6:32
9"Doe or Die"
  • AZ
N.O. Joe 4:39
10"We Can't Win"
  • Intro/first verse/outro: Amar Pep
  • Second verse/hook: Barsham
  • Third verse: AZ
Amar Pep3:23
11"Your World Don't Stop"
  • AZ
Spunk Biggs,
Ski
3:33
12"Sugar Hill (Remix)"
  • AZ
L.E.S.4:18

Personnel

Album singles

Charts

Chart (1995)Peak
position
US Billboard 200 15
US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums1

Singles

YearSongChart positions
US
Hot 100
US
R&B
US
Rap
US
Rhythm
US Dance
Sales
1995"Gimme Yours"115513021
"Sugar Hill"25123284
"Doe or Die"692428

Doe or Die: 15th Anniversary

A 15th anniversary edition of Doe or Die was released on November 30, 2010, by AZ's own Quiet Money Records. Doe or Die: 15th Anniversary features production from Frank Dukes, Dave Moss, Statik Selektah, Baby Paul, Lil' Fame from M.O.P., and Roctimus Prime. [12] The album also features vocals from R&B singer June Summers. [13] All the songs from the original Doe or Die are remixed with a new beat. [14]

See also

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