AZ stunned longtime Hip-Hop listeners on October 10 by announcing the upcoming release of Doe or Die III to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his 1995 debut.
The news dropped via social media, where the Brooklyn rapper thanked supporters and confirmed the third installment of the revered series will arrive later this year under his label, Quiet Money Records.
The original Doe or Die, released in October 1995, became a staple of East Coast Hip-Hop. With production from Pete Rock, Buckwild and L.E.S., the album sold over 500,000 copies and earned gold certification. Before this project, most listeners knew Antonio Cruz only from his flawless guest verse on Nas’ Life’s A Bitch, a verse so iconic it earned him instant respect and a record deal. But Doe Or Die proved he was far more than a standout feature—he was a complete artist with his own identity, voice, and vision.
With its cinematic aura and mafioso themes, the album helped define the mid-90s New York sound. Doe Or Die featured production from some of the best behind the boards; Pete Rock, Buckwild of D.I.T.C., L.E.S., D.R. Period, and AZ himself, creating a luxurious yet rugged backdrop for his intricate delivery. Tracks like the Pete Rock-powered Rather Unique showed off AZ’s elite lyricism and smooth pocket control, while Sugar Hill became his biggest hit, blending street aspiration with soulful musicality and featuring vocals from a young Miss Jones.
