AZ Doe or Die III, 1LP Amber Smoke Coloured Vinyl, due 10th July.

AZ Doe or Die III, 1LP Amber Smoke Coloured Vinyl, due 10th July.

“Seems to me hardly anyone knows AZ…They Should”

The 11th studio album from AZ and the close of a trilogy that began in 1995, when the Brooklyn MC became the first voice heard outside Nas himself on Illmatic. His closing trifecter Doe Or Die III arrives on Mass Appeal, Nas's label, so the reunion on 'Surprise' is something more than a cameo; it's the business arrangement they couldn't have managed 30 years ago made concrete. The production roster's also a clear statement of continuity, roll-calling Bink!, Buckwild, K-Def, Large Professor, NO Joe - all veteran beatmakers who know how to construct a frame around AZ's multi-syllabic delivery without crowding it. AZ has never been the loudest voice in any room he's been in, but he's still in the room.

I’ve been really enjoying this album on pre-release over the last couple of weeks. Its got a great funky sound, with funky interludes (skits)… I played it picking my daughter up at Ely Station, when she visited for Father’s Day…when she gave me that wonderful Lost in Vinyl card, i posted on the Shops Instagram. Felt like a cool new dad!! (AZ chats away with his son on this album too btw).

1. The Origin (Intro)

2. No Need For Lactose

3. Gimme The World

4. Uniqueness

5. So High

6. Ho Happy (Skit)

7. Still Jackie

8. Surprise

9. Fresh Water

10. Winners Win

11. I Was Once There Too

12. Love My Life

13. We Made It (Outro)

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