Pieces of a Man (AZ album)

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.

Pieces of a Man
Studio album by
ReleasedApril 7, 1998 (1998-04-07)
Recorded1997−98
Studio
Genre
Length54:03
LabelNoo Trybe
Producer
  • Big Jon Platt (exec.)
  • Damian "DEO" Blyden (exec.)
  • Nas (exec.)
  • Trackmasters (also exec.)
  • Goldfinga
  • Gucci Jones
  • Kenny "Smoove" Kornegay
  • L.E.S.
  • Nashiem Myrick
  • RZA
  • Tony Dofat
AZ chronology
The Album
(1997)
Pieces of a Man
(1998)
S.O.S.A. (Save Our Streets AZ)
(2000)
Singles from Pieces of a Man
  1. "Hey AZ"
    Released: July 21, 1997
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
RapReviews8/10[2]

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.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."New Life" (Album Intro)
  • Goldfinga
  • Gucci Jones
1:22
2."I'm Known"
  • Cruz
  • Pudour
  • C. Jones
  • Goldfinga
  • Gucci Jones
2:11
3."How Ya Livin'" (featuring Nas)L.E.S.4:30
4."Trading Places"
  • Cruz
  • Jean-Claude Olivier
  • Samuel Barnes
Poke & Tone3:43
5."What's the Deal"
  • Cruz
  • Olivier
  • Barnes
Poke & Tone3:56
6."Love Is Love" (featuring Half-A-Mil and Nature)
  • Cruz
  • Olivier
  • Barnes
Poke & Tone5:14
7."The Pay Back"
  • Cruz
  • Pudour
  • C. Jones
  • Goldfinga
  • Gucci Jones
3:06
8."Just Because"
  • Cruz
  • Lewis
L.E.S.2:53
9."SOSA"
  • Cruz
  • Olivier
  • Barnes
Poke & Tone2:05
10."It's a Boy Thing" (featuring Nature)
  • Cruz
  • Olivier
  • Barnes
Poke & Tone4:02
11."Pieces of a (Black) Man"
  • Cruz
  • Olivier
  • Barnes
Poke & Tone3:44
12."Last Dayz" (featuring Monifah)
  • Kenny 'Smoove' Kornegay
  • Darryl "88" Young (co.)
5:19
13."Whatever Happened (The Birth)" (featuring RZA)RZA3:37
14."Trial of the Century" (featuring Foxy Brown and Panama P.I.)
  • Cruz
  • Nashiem Myrick
Nashiem Myrick4:27
15."Betcha Don't Know"
  • Cruz
  • Tony Dofat
Tony Dofat3:54
Total length:54:03
Japanese edition bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
16."Hey AZ" (featuring SWV)
  • Cruz
  • Olivier
  • Barnes
Poke & Tone 
Sample credits

Charts

Chart (1998) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[3] 22
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[4] 5

References

  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "AZ - Pieces of a Man Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  2. Corne, James (February 22, 2005). "AZ :: Pieces of a Man :: Noo Trybe Records". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  3. "AZ Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
  4. "AZ Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
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