Doe or Die

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Doe or Die
Doe or Die cover
Studio album by AZ
Released October 10, 1995
Genre Hip-hop
Length 45:30
Label EMI
7243 8 32631 2 7
E2-32631
Producer Pete Rock
Loose
Buckwild
L.E.S.
DR Period
Amar
N.O. Joe
Ski
Lunatic Mind
Professional reviews
AZ chronology
- Doe or Die
(1995)		 Pieces of a Man
(1998)

Doe or Die is the debut album by New York emcee AZ. Released in 1995 (see 1995 in music), AZ was introduced to the world in Nas's Illmatic.

Contents

[edit] Overview

Alongside Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Doe or Die is often considered as one of the prototypical albums of the Mafioso rap genre. 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. For instance, the song, "Sugar Hill", is a highly-detailed fantasy of a lavish lifestyle that includes luxury cars, beautiful women, and beautiful scenery. In the song, AZ imagines himself vacationing in the Caribbean, while living in world-class hotels and riding yachts. Furthermore, in the song entitled, "Mo Money, Mo Murder (Homicide)," AZ and Nas create a cinematic tale recounting the murder of a powerful crime kingpin, while commenting on money's grasp of society. This song is followed by a companion epilogue called "Born Alone, Die Alone" (an adaption of the crime thriller, The Godfather Part III). In "Born Alone, Die Alone," AZ, who assumes the role of an old and retired mobster, reminisces about the sins he committed in his earlier life.

Further emphasizing the Mafioso-theme, the cover of Doe or Die portrays AZ as a victim 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 AZ counting money, drinking expensive wine, and smoking cigars.

[edit] Track listing

# Title Length Producer(s) Performer (s)
1 "Intro" 1:18 AZ & Lunatic Mind AZ
2 "Uncut Raw" 2:59 Loose; co-produced by AZ AZ
3 "Gimme Yours" 3:07 Pete Rock AZ & Nas
4 "Ho-Happy Jackie" 3:34 Buckwild AZ
5 "Rather Unique" 4:49 Pete Rock AZ
Pete Rock (uncredited)
6 "I Feel for You" 3:03 Amar; co-produced by AZ AZ & Erica Scott
7 "Sugar Hill" 4:09 L.E.S. AZ & Miss Jones
8 "Mo Money, Mo Murder, Mo Homicide"* 6:32 DR Period AZ & Nas
9 "Doe or Die" 3:23 N.O. Joe AZ
10 "We Can't Win" 3:33 Amar; co-produced by AZ Amar & AZ
11 "Your World Don't Stop" 4:18 Ski AZ
12 "Sugar Hill (Remix)" 4:18 L.E.S. AZ
  • "Mo Money, Mo Murder, Mo Homicide" features a hidden track called "Born Alone, Die Alone."

[edit] Samples

Uncut Raw

  • "Back from the Dead" by King Errisson

Gimme Yours

Ho Happy Jackie

Rather Unique

Sugar Hill

  • "People Make the World Go Round" by The Stylistics
  • "Sugar Free" by Juicy

Mo Money Mo Murder (Homicide)

Your World Don't Stop

Sugar Hill (Remix)

  • "It Wasn't Me, It Was the Funk" by EPMD

[edit] Album singles

  • "Sugar Hill"
  • "Gimme Yours (Remix)" featuring Nas [Non-album single]
  • "Doe Or Die"
    • Released: April 2, 1996
    • B-side: "Mo Money, Mo Murder (Homicide)"

[edit] Chart positions

[edit] Certification

Gold

[edit] Album chart positions

Year Album Chart positions
Billboard 200 Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
1995 Doe or Die #15 #1

[edit] Singles chart positions

Year Song Chart positions
Billboard Hot 100 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot Rap Singles Rhythmic Top 40 Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales
1995 "Gimme Yours" -#115 #51 #30 - #21
1995 "Sugar Hill" #25 #12 #3 #28 #4
1995 "Doe or Die" - #69 #24 - #28
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