Doe Or Die
| Doe or Die | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by AZ | ||||
| Released | October 10, 1995 | |||
| Recorded | 1994–1995 | |||
| Genre | East Coast hip hop, Mafioso rap | |||
| Length | 45:31 | |||
| Label |
EMI 7243 8 32631 2 7 E2-32631 |
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| Producer | AZ (Executive) , Lindsey Williams (Executive) , Damian "Deo" Blyden (Executive) , Pete Rock, Loose, Buckwild, L.E.S., DR Period, Amar Pep, N.O. Joe, Ski, Lunatic Mind | |||
| AZ chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Doe or Die | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   |
| Los Angeles Times |  |
| RapReviews | (8.5/10) |
| Rhapsody | (favorable) |
| Richmond Times | |
| Rolling Stone | |
| The Source | |
| Spin | (7/10) |
Doe or Die is the debut studio album by rapper AZ, released October 10, 1995 on EMI Records. The album features guest appearances by artists such as Nas and Miss Jones, and production from Pete Rock, L.E.S., and Buckwild, among others.
Upon release, Doe or Die received notable critical and commercial success. The album peaked at #15 on the Billboard 200, and #1 on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. Doe or Die produced several singles, including, "Mo Money, Mo Murder, Mo Homicide," "Gimme Yours (remix)," "Doe or Die" and "Sugar Hill" - which was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1995. The album went on to sell over a million copies AZ has planned a sequel for the album entitled Doe or Die 2, which is currently awaiting release.
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 stylish portrait of AZ is surrounded by flowers, while the body of the rapper is buried in a casket that contains large amounts of dollars. In addition, the liner notes and the back of the album features images of AZ counting money, drinking expensive wine, and smoking cigars.
Upon its release, Doe or Die received generally favorable reviews from most music critics. Stanton Swihart from Allmusic gave the album 4½ out of 5 stars and compared certain aspects of it to rapper 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 further stated "Certainly it was one of the strongest, most promising debut efforts of 1995, and probably one of the year's strongest rap albums period." Christian Hoard from Rolling Stone gave the album 3 out of 5 stars, and called it a "Literate, sensitive look at street life that sits comfortably, as a companion, next to Nas' masterpiece (Illmatic)." Selwyn Seyfu Hinds from Spin rated the album 7 out of 10, and stated
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