Aziatic [PA]

Performer: AZ
Artist: Nas; DJ Rogers, Jr.; El Shaber; A.N.I.M.A.L.; Trav
Engineer: Mike T
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Personnel includes: AZ, Nas, El Shaber, Trav, Animal (rap vocals); D.J. Rogers, Jr. (vocals); Dr. Period, Portiay, Chop D.E.S.E.L., Anthony Best (programming); Makeba Riddick, Chimere Scott, Shelene Thomas, Precision, Nikko (background vocals). Producers include: Dr. Period, Portiay, Chop D.E.S.E.L., Baby Paul, Big Joe. Recorded at The Power Plant, New York, New York; Sugar Hill, Sweet Mountain Studios, New Jersey. "The Essence" was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group. Personnel includes: AZ, Nas, DJ Rogers, Jr. Producers include: Dr. Period, Portiay, L.E.S., Baby Paul, Miller Time. Recorded at Sweet Mountain Studios, Englewood, New Jersey. "The Essence" was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group. Personnel: Shelene Thomas (vocals); Miller Time, DR Period, Baby Paul (programming). Audio Mixer: Mike T. Recording information: Sweet Mountain Studios, NJ; The Power Plant, NY. The Brooklyn MC who turned heads way back when as a guest on Nas's ILLMATIC had already put plenty of sonic miles behind him before the release of AZIATIC. No matter how much he's established himself as a rapper extraordinaire, though, his skills never come off as old hat. On AZIATIC his mixture of street imagery and higher-minded philosophy, the carnal and the sublime, the hardcore hip-hop beat and the attractive pop/R&B ornamentation, all come together and ring true. Less conceptual than 9 LIVES but packing more surprising melodic hooks than PIECES OF A MAN, AZIATIC strikes a good balance of the varied facets that make up Az's vision. Consequently, this album would make a good starting point for anyone unfamiliar with the work of this uncompromising but accessible artist.

Rolling Stone (7/25/02, pp.72-3) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...His best album yet. He's more focused, and ready to receive his due as one of his generation's true voices....This is AZ at full power."

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