Doe or Die

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. 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.

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[6]
Los Angeles Times	[7]
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide	[8]
RapReviews	8.5/10[9]
Richmond Times	[10]
The Source	[11]
Spin	7/10[12]

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.[12]

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]

• "Sugar Hill"
  • Released: June 27, 1995
  • B-side: "Rather Unique"
• "Gimme Yours (Remix)" [Non-album single]
  • Released: December 5, 1995
  • B-side: "Uncut Raw"
• "Doe or Die"
  • Released: April 2, 1996
  • B-side: "Mo Money, Mo Murder (Homicide)"

Singles

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.[13] The album also features vocals from R&B singer June Summers.[14] All the songs from the original Doe or Die are remixed with a new beat.[15]

• List of number-one R&B albums of 1995 (U.S.)

• Doe or Die at Discogs