Pieces of a Man | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | April 7, 1998 | |||
Recorded | 1997−98 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | ||||
Length | 54:03 | |||
Label | Noo Trybe | |||
Producer |
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AZ chronology | ||||
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Singles from Pieces of a Man | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
RapReviews | 8/10 [2] |
Pieces of a Man is the second solo studio album by American rapper AZ. It was released on April 7, 1998 via Noo Trybe Records. Production was handled by Trackmasters, Goldfinga, Gucci Jones, L.E.S., Kenny Kornegay, Nashiem Myrick, RZA and Tony Dofat. It features guest appearances from The Firm, Half-A-Mil, Monifah, RZA and Panama P.I. The album peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard 200 and at No. 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.
The album was highly praised for its complex and insightful lyricism. The first single was intended to be "Hey AZ" featuring SWV, which peaked at No. 50 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Music video for "Hey AZ" was shot, but the song was included only in the Japanese edition of the project.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "New Life" (Album Intro) |
|
| 1:22 |
2. | "I'm Known" |
|
| 2:11 |
3. | "How Ya Livin'" (featuring Nas) |
| L.E.S. | 4:30 |
4. | "Trading Places" |
| Poke & Tone | 3:43 |
5. | "What's the Deal" |
| Poke & Tone | 3:56 |
6. | "Love Is Love" (featuring Half-A-Mil and Nature) |
| Poke & Tone | 5:14 |
7. | "The Pay Back" |
|
| 3:06 |
8. | "Just Because" |
| L.E.S. | 2:53 |
9. | "SOSA" |
| Poke & Tone | 2:05 |
10. | "It's a Boy Thing" (featuring Nature) |
| Poke & Tone | 4:02 |
11. | "Pieces of a (Black) Man" |
| Poke & Tone | 3:44 |
12. | "Last Dayz" (featuring Monifah) |
|
| 5:19 |
13. | "Whatever Happened (The Birth)" (featuring RZA) |
| RZA | 3:37 |
14. | "Trial of the Century" (featuring Foxy Brown and Panama P.I.) |
| Nashiem Myrick | 4:27 |
15. | "Betcha Don't Know" |
| Tony Dofat | 3:54 |
Total length: | 54:03 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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16. | "Hey AZ" (featuring SWV) |
| Poke & Tone |
Chart (1998) | Peak position |
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US Billboard 200 [3] | 22 |
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) [4] | 5 |
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