◇ image via WikipediaAZ
AZ is an act on the Starverb influence map. Their sound grew out of DJ Premier, C.L. Smooth, Aftermath Entertainment, Nas and Tony Sunshine. Those roots explain a lot about how AZ arrange songs and choose their tones. They run in the same orbit as Mobb Deep, Big L, Kool G Rap, Smif-n-Wessun and O.C., sharing audiences, venues and reference points rather than a straight line of influence. Their influence carried into Eminem, Nas, Illmatic, The Slim Shady EP and JAY-Z, where the same ideas turn up rearranged for a later generation. Altogether the chart holds 44 connections around AZ, reaching back through DJ Premier and forward to Eminem. Follow any of those threads to keep travelling the influence between bands and genres on Starverb.
Background
Anthony Cruz, better known by his stage name AZ, is an American rapper. Best known for his work with fellow East Coast rapper Nas, the two formed the New York City-based hip hop group the Firm in 1996, along with Foxy Brown, Cormega and Nature.
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AZ connections
AZ grew out of DJ Premier, C.L. Smooth, Aftermath Entertainment and Nas, shares an orbit with Mobb Deep, Big L, Kool G Rap and Smif-n-Wessun, went on to shape Eminem, Nas, Illmatic and The Slim Shady EP. 44 connections mapped across roots, kindred and legacy.
Who influenced AZ
Sounds and acts that shaped AZ.
Artists similar to AZ
Artists and scenes sharing an orbit with AZ.
- Mobb Deepartist
- Big Lartist
- Kool G Rapartist
- Smif-n-Wessunartist
- O.C.artist
- Gang Starrartist
- Big Punisherartist
- D.I.T.C.artist
- Jadakissartist
- O.G.C.artist
- The Loxartist
- EPMDartist
- Lost Boyzartist
- Large Professorartist
- Jeru the Damajaartist
- Statik Selektahartist
- Fabolousartist
- Ras Kassartist
- Little Brotherartist
- Pete Rock & C.L. Smoothartist
- Craig Mackartist
- Talib Kweliartist
- Lloyd Banksartist
- M.O.P.artist
- The Beatnutsartist
- Termanologyartist
- Method Manartist
- Heltah Skeltahartist
- Keith Murrayartist
- Tha Dogg Poundartist
Bands AZ shaped
Where the influence of AZ travelled next.
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Shapes the roadmapMusic Personality
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Music quizzes that earn badges and climb a leaderboard.
Friend / taste matching
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Gaps
Bands you've missed that listeners with similar taste already love.