25 of the Best AZ Quotes & Lyrics

These AZ quotes and lyrics from his songs show why the rapper has been Grammy-nominated and has received critical acclaim for his music.

Anthony Cruz, better known by his stage name AZ, began receiving mass recognition after collaborating with fellow rapper and friend, Nas, on the album Illmatic.

The pair worked together on the song, “Life’s a Bitch” and AZ was the only guest emcee to appear on that record.

This collaboration earned AZ a record deal with EMI and he released his first solo album in 1995 titled Doe or Die.

These AZ quotes are lyrics from his songs that showcase the rapper’s talent to form lyrics out of multi-syllable rhyme schemes as well as internal rhymes and unconventional rhymes.

This style is what makes AZ’s work long-lasting and easily recognizable, though he hasn’t produced an album in over 10 years.

We hope you enjoy these AZ quotes.

Don’t forget to also check out these Nas quotes on life, music, and justice.

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Inspirational AZ quotes from his song lyrics

1. “Visualizin’ the realism of life in actuality.” — AZ

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2. “Word, time to take Affirmative Action, son.” — AZ

3. “So, how can I be weak? I’m rather unique.” — AZ

4. “I’m destined to live the dream for all my peeps who never made it.” — AZ

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AZ quotes from his song lyrics about life

5. “Born alone, die alone.” — AZ

6. “Nobody noticed us, nobody gave a sh*t, but the bigger we get the more we’re taking from other people.” — AZ

7. “Life’s a bitch and then you die. “That’s why we get high, Cause you never know when you’re gonna go.”” — AZ

8. “You never know, it might just be yo’ time, you take yo’ ride to them pearly white gates, watch that suicide.” — AZ

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9. “Visualizin’ the realism of life and actuality, f*ck who’s the baddest, a person’s status depends on salary.” — AZ

10. “I talk to my boxing trainer, he’s my logic explainer conversations through our combination. He told me, ‘Stick and move,’ and ‘Different rules apply to different women’” — AZ

11. “I woke up early on my born day; I’m 20, it’s a blessin’. The essence of adolescence leaves my body, now I’m fresh and my physical frame is celebrated ‘cause I made it one quarter through life, some godly-like thing created.” — AZ

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AZ quotes and lyrics about money

12. “Time is money, I need growth for my investment.” — AZ

13. “I’m into bigger cheddar, G’s and better, Armarett-ah’s, Armani sweaters.” — AZ

14. “I’m sayin’ that’s what this is all about, right? Clothes, bankrolls, and hoes.” — AZ

15. “Let’s keep it real, son, count this money, you know what I’m sayin’? Yeah, yeah.” — AZ

16. “‘Cause, we spendin’ these Jacksons. The Washingtons go to wifey, you know how that go.” — AZ

17. “F*ck who’s the baddest, a person’s status depends on salary and my mentality is money-orientated.” — AZ

18. “Money and sex, Gore-Tex, Donna Karan and Guess. Finesse, success through the life stress, mics I bless.” — AZ

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The best AZ quotes from his lyrics

19. “Through the fame, through the fire and the flames, I adapt to the pain, real niggas do the same.” — AZ

20. “Every coast gotta know, I’m the most with the flow, no joke I’m a pro, I’m like The Pope on the low.” — AZ

21. “And though we homies and we no longer hang You know you know me, and that love still remains.” — AZ

22. “I got styles sick as hell, sicker than sickle cell anemia, slaughter your circulatory like leukemia.” — AZ

23. “My whole persona’s kinda laid back like a recliner, And since a minor, I been fucking with marijuana.” — AZ

24. “We were beginners in the hood as 5 Percenters, but somethin’ must’ve got in us, cause all of us turned to sinners.” — AZ

25. “Play the game for my people, stay in charge of your dreams. Keep your vision focused, get wise, and largen your C.R.E.A.M.” — AZ

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What is your favorite AZ lyric? Do you have any other AZ quotes to add?

In 1997 AZ once again collaborated with Nas as well as artists, Foxy Brown and Nature.

The group called themselves The Firm and released one album titled The Album.

Though the album was created by the supergroup and produced by hip hop legends, Dr. Dre and The Trackmasters, the record was found to be critically disappointing.

In 2002, AZ’s single “The Essence,” featuring Nas, was nominated for a Grammy award, though AZ lost to Outkast and Killer Mike who won the Grammy with their song, “The Whole World.”

AZ went on to create several more solo records until 2010 when he announced his retirement.

He has since been living in Englewood, New Jersey with no news of future collaborations or solo albums to be released.

We hope you enjoyed reading these AZ quotes and lyrics.

Let us know your favorite quote in the comments below.