Pieces of a Man was an alright album. But it could have been alot better. For one reason, the album was orginally suppose to come out in the summer of 1997. I thought AZ lead single to that album was Hey AZ featuring SWV. Which was a tighter song compared to the new lead single What's the Deal. Then I found out once I got the long awaiting album that Hey AZ wasn't even on there! After the Firm Album, AZ told a magazine (I think it was the Source) that the Firm's Desperados song was suppose to be on Pieces of a Man. Many people said AZ lack hits on this album. Those where two rap songs that could have brought Pieces of a Man to the top of the charts. In conclusion, AZ and Nas will have to make up their mind when their albums come out. Many of their fans like myself get mad with them for keep changing their release date.

In a hip hop era where artists want to rap about nothing but their bling-bling and cash flow, you have an incredible MC like AZ who just keeps it down low and yet remains the high in the "most under-rated rapper in the game" contest. This album is incredible, AZ is so good at putting visual pictures in every line he spits, thats why he's the "visualizer." AZ is finally getting more recognition, which he deserves, on his new release "Aziatic." I love the album, but I feel this one is more complete, every verse just sounds so nice and perfect.

This album is perfect to listen to at the house, and an even better CD to ride to. His first single "what's the deal" is a true playas anthem, and likewise for tracks like "How Ya' Livin" (with Nas, incredible) and "The Pay Back" (this song is sick, the beat is a sample from Sade). That's the thing about Sosa, he can change it up for any audience that wants to appreciate his music, the ladies, the playas, hustlas, regular hip hop heads, for the clubs. In songs like "Just Because" can get the party started, and he definetly brings it on the deeper tracks like "The Last Days" (rhymes over R. Kelly "Body Callin" beat) and "Love is Love," which he intertwines his unique, smooth rhyming style with his knowledge and experience of life and blends them together to make powerful songs. Some other goods tracks on the album features Foxy Brown, Nature, & the RZA. Even the first two tracks are basically short intros, and you won't skip through them ever.

This album easily gets 5 stars, I've been a huge fan of AZ ever since his debut on Nas's illmatic. His incredible flow, delivery, and clever lyrics make him one of the brightest stars in the hip hop world today, and its gettin pretty dark in here..

AZ's anticipated follow up (after 2 and a half years off)to his classic debut "Doe or Die" is another classic and may even be better (it's close). His delivery is among the best out there and his lyrics are incredible. From the start of the cd to the finish, you stay tuned in and don't want to skip any songs (except maybe 1 that I skip). It has 4 classics, 2 near classics, 2 ok songs and the rest (other then 1) are good. He has some more tight production and not too many guest appearances. Poke & Tone produce 5 songs, Goldfingaz does 3, L.E.S. does 2, and RZA, Nysheim Myrick, Kenny Smoove, Gucci Jones, and Tony Dofat each do 1 song. This is another must have for any hip-hop fan to have in their collection.

#1 - 10 (short but a classic)

#2 - 10 (another classic)

#3 - 8.5 (f/ Nas)

#4 - 9 (has a funny skit in the beginning)

#5 - 9.5 (f/ Kenny Greene - interlude in beginning is off of Half A Mill's (R.I.P.) CD "Milion")

#6 - 9.5 (f/ Nature & Half A Mill (R.I.P.))

#7 - 10 (classic)

#8 -9

#9 - 8.5

#10 - 9

#11 - 10 (another classic)

#12 - 5 (f/ Monifah)

#13 - 8 (f/ RZA)

#14 - 7.5 (f/ Foxy Brown)

#15 - 7.5

b. Anthony Cruz -- around 1973 -- Brownsville, Brooklyn, NY

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it seems like AZ just cannot get out of Nas's shadow. The best song on his first album featured Nas, and guess what? The best song on this album....features Nas. He needs to put more work into promoting rap as an art form and less time advertising Armani suits. Save your money for the next Nas tape.

This is the second endeavor AZ makes to keep his name in the rap game. There are a lot of great songs on this album, but not enough to give it that "classical" stamp of approval. This album maintains the New York vibe like his previous one "Doe or Die" by keeping the rugged beats and street mentality in his flows. The difference with this album amongst the others is that it reveals his thoughts of leaving the street life and pursuing rap and other ventures. In song 9 "SOSA" he says: I rolled dice/Trying to defrost from this cold life/Used to sell coke in the strip, but now I hold mikes/. This album is a must have if you are an AZ fan, if not, after listening to these records you will be.