Potentially the most underrated rapper of all time, AZ never achieved the same fame or fortune as his collaborators Nas and Foxy Brown, who together formed hip-hop supergroup The Firm in the late 90s. In fact, the Brooklyn rappers greatest success came with his 1995 debut Doe Or Die, an integral piece of the East Coasts Mafioso rap heritage led by infectiously-hooked single Sugar Hill and the MCs smooth flownot to mention production from the likes of Pete Rock. And though hes released seven proper records and a handful of compilations since then, Doe Or Die remains the greatest testament to his street-minded storytelling abilities. Touring on his hallmark records 15th anniversary edition, sprinkled with new tracks and reduxes, AZ has to know its better to have one classic record than none at all. With Luck One, Quarter After, DJ Gumbeaux, DJ Seabefore. NICK FELDMAN
Sun., March 13, 8 p.m., 2011
