S. Samuel
With much-anticipated rap albums dropping next week from Lloyd Banks, Nicki Minaj and Kanye West, SOHH sat down with AZ to see how confident he is with re-releasing the Doe or Die 15th Anniversary LP simultaneously.
AZ felt that releasing a classic hip-hop album in 2010 alongside artists with a huge buzz is great for hip-hop fans.
“I mean, it’s a good look,” AZ told SOHH about dropping the Doe or Die 2 album the same week as Banks, Minaj and West. “Like I’ve said, to even be able to be putting out music right now is a good look. For one, I got a chance to give back to my fans and those to add on, it’s always good. So it’s a good look to be coming out with everybody that’s relevant right now, to be honest.” (SOHH)
Last summer, Banks discussed facing off against West and Minaj’s new albums this month.
“I wouldn’t say it’s going up against them,” Banks told radio host Jenny Boom Boom about releasing his album around the same dates as Nicki Minaj and Kanye West’s new albums. “But I’m definitely going to get mine. November [22nd], HFM2. It’s a different fanbase to be honest. My first album came out in 2004, so I got people following me from then and prior to that since the G-Unit album, so it dates back further. And at the same time, I’m trying to generate new fans. That’s the challenge.” (SOHH)
AZ’s re-release could have an edge over Nicki Minaj as her debut LP, Pink Friday, leaked on the Internet this week.
Pink Friday came even earlier than expected. Nicki Minaj’s debut album leaked online on Wednesday (November 17), less than a week before its scheduled release date. The project was originally slated to arrive on Friday (November 19) before shifting to November 23 and then finally settling on November 22. The Pink Friday tracks floating on the Web include collaborations between Nicki Minaj and A-list artists like Kanye West, Rihanna and Drake. (MTV)
AZ previously talked to SOHH about working on the Doe Or Die 2 album and trying to recruit Nas to bid him a guest appearance.
“I mean, I reached out to him, uhm, I think he’s going through a couple of whirls, he’s going through a lot of situations so we haven’t really sat down and politic’ed and talked about everything,” AZ explained. “Actually, I did reach out for this Doe Or Die 2, that’s what I’m working on, the Doe Or Die 2 stuff. Raekwon did the Cuban Linx [2], and The Blueprint 3 and the Carter III and IV, so them sequels do good in the marketplace. So I’m trying to do this Doe Or Die 2, I reached out to him, I haven’t gotten feedback as of yet, but like I said, look at what he’s going through.” (SOHH)
Doe or Die is scheduled to be re-released Tuesday, November 23rd.
Check out AZ’s “Mo’ Money Mo’ Murder” below:
