Aziatic

Aziatic is the fourth studio album by the rapper AZ, released on June 11, 2002.

Aziatic
Studio album by
AZ
ReleasedJune 11, 2002
Recorded2001–2002
GenreHip hop
Length47:08
LabelMotown
ProducerDR Period, Portlay, Chop D.I.E.S.E.L., L.E.S., Baby Paul, Miller Time, Buckwild, Big Joe
AZ chronology
9 Lives
(2001)		 Aziatic
(2002)		 Decade 1994–2004
(2004)
Singles from Aziatic
  1. "I'm Back"
    Released: September 18, 2001
  2. "Take It Off"
    Released: March 7, 2002
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
HipHopDX[2]
RapReviews[3]
Rhapsodyfavorable[4]
Robert Christgau(3-star Honorable Mention)(3-star Honorable Mention)(3-star Honorable Mention)[5]
Rolling Stone[6]
StylusA[7]
The Source

Background

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.

Critical reception

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]

Track listing
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."Once Again"DR Period2:38
2."A-1 Performance"Portiay3:53
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 Paul3:29
6."Hands in the Air" (featuring DJ Rogers Jr.)Precision4:14
7."Fan Mail"Miller Time3:36
8."Paradise (Life)"Miller Time2:54
9."Take Care of Me"Precision3:41
10."I'm Back" (featuring El Shaber)Buckwild3:12
11."Hustler" (featuring Animal and Trav)Chop D.I.E.S.E.L.4:08
12."Rebirth"Buckwild2:00
13."Aziatic (Outro)"Chop D.I.E.S.E.L.0:57
14."Doing Me" (Bonus Track)Big Joe</Jouyn Adams3:48

Chart history
Album
Year Album Chart positions
Billboard 200 Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
2002 Aziatic #29 #5
Singles
Year Song Chart positions
Billboard Hot 100 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot Rap Singles
2002 "I'm Back" - #63 -

Samples

References
  1. Brad Mills, Aziatic at AllMusic
  2. DeMarco Williams, "AZ - Aziatic", HipHopDX, July 5, 2002
  3. Steve 'Flash' Juon, "AZ :: Aziatic :: Motown", RapReviews, June 25, 2002
  4. Rhapsody review Archived June 22, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  5. Robert Christgau, Aziatic (Motown, 2002)
  6. Rob Marriott, "AZ Aziatic", Rolling Stone, July 2, 2002
  7. Stylus review Archived February 1, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  8. "AZ Interview".
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