By Jamil Weeks

AZ is one of hip hop’s unsung heroes. Securing a record deal off one classic verse on Nas’ classic debut, AZ has since quietly released an impressive body of work that speaks for itself. An artist who many within hip hop circles feel should garner more respect, AZ has resurfaced since the pandemic blessing the rap game with new music. Following up on his follow-up to his underrated Doe or Die 2 from 2021, the East New York native teams up with the legendary and equally underappreciated, Buckwild, for Truth Be Told. The formula here is simple; dope rhymes over dope beats. Two masters of their craft doing what they know best and reminding the fickle rap audience who they are. Truth Be Told is a history lesson for those who wrote AZ off as a washed up rapper. AZ provides us his truth on his career, his upbringing, and what makes him the man he is today in a personal love letter to his fans. Buckwild provides AZ the perfect canvas to paint his vivid pictures with hard hitting drums over smooth melodies. You can feel the energy surging through AZ’s vocals on every track. AZ proves his flow is ageless and rhymes with a sharp delivery throughout the 28-minute runtime. No gimmicks or grandiose production on this album. Just bar work from a reinvigorated Anthony Cruz.

One thing is for sure, AZ is back to smack doubters in the face with his latest drop. Songs like “Reintroduction” and “Still Got It” boast AZ’s departure from his humble real-life tendencies with braggadocios rhymes. AZ makes the case for why you should address him as rap royalty laying out his illustrious career where he sparred with rap’s heavyweights on “One of the Greatest”. The record is a storytelling song summing up his ascension in the 90’s rap game reminiscent of Nas’ “Last Real N**** Alive” from God’s Son. The album's crown jewel is the first single, “The GOAT”, where Buckwild uses his signature drums over a beautiful sample of Bit ‘A Sweet’s “Speak Softly”, which Hit Boy also used on “Fever” off Magic 3. Truth Be Told is AZ’s resume on wax with records like “The GOAT”, impressively breaking down his career to the point where his claims to the throne do not seem so far-fetched. On his second single “This is Why”, AZ shows why he has been the flyest since 1994 with Buckwild supplying him with a slow tempo late 80s themed beat. AZ is definitely talking that talk with this album.

The album is not saturated with famous guest appearances. AZ holds this album down singlehandedly for most of the LP. However, the guest appearances are impressive. AZ trades ferocious bars with Pharoahe Monch on “Go Time” over an up-tempo Buckwild beat proving he does not shrivel to elite competition. AZ manages to hold his own against the lyrically murderous Pharoahe as if he has rediscovered the fountain of youth by channeling his trademark 90s flow. On “How We Get It”, AZ heads Uptown to recruit Fat Joe for a DITC reunion with Buckwild. A motivational record where the two rap veterans spit ambitious rhymes about attaining success while securing the bag. These rap legends took a back seat to Mumu Fresh, who is the highlight feature on the album. With a razor-sharp flow, Mumu gives the laidback Buckwild instrumental a verbal buck 50. For all the people complaining about the content of today’s female emcees, Mumu’s guest verse will transform that ice grill to a smile from ear to ear. As great as the guest features are on these songs, they do not overshadow AZ on his own records as AZ sounds as good as he ever has since his prime in the 90s rap scene. AZ's ability to hold his own against stellar competition proves why he is one of the greatest to ever touch the mic.

The production from Buckwild on Truth Be Told is NYC inspired. You close your eyes while listening to the beats and it transports you to the streets of Brooklyn. You can almost hear the horns honking on the busy streets or the subways sliding along the train tracks from destination to destination. The funky, boom bap infused beats are the soundtrack to AZ’s New York laden dialogue. The sample-heavy tracks laced with thunderous drums are kryptonite to rap enthusiasts who are smitten with the drum less loops that are prevalent in rap today. The nostalgic vibe on the production is the perfect sound for an introspective AZ reflecting on his career and the struggles he overcame in both the streets and the music industry to last 30 years in the game. Buckwild is also making a statement with this album proving that he is one of the best producers in the game, especially in New York City. For those of us that grew up on 90s rap, Truth Be Told sonically restores that feeling of growing up in the cassette tape era with AZ effortlessly spitting over DITC flavored beats.

While Truth Be Told may not be an astronomical groundbreaking album, the album sparks nostalgia for hip hop heads who are “stuck in the 90s” and need a new fix. The only thing that would have made this album even better would have been appearances from one or all The Firm members. With AZ, Cormega, and Nas dropping albums in the past three years, one can only dream of a future collaboration with all three artists together, whether it be a song or even an EP. Truth Be Told proves true talent has no age limit. While Andre 3000 uses his as the reason for his stifled creativity, AZ’s pen overflows with venomous lyrics upon the pad with the hunger of an adolescent. While this album may not be as great as AZ’s definitive debut, it is an album that leaves you wanting to hear more from AZ in the future. AZ excels with the one producer format. The possibility of AZ doing another full length project with one producer, like The Alchemist or Havoc, or even going outside his comfort zone for a mainstream sound following in the footsteps of Nas and Hit Boy is something to anticipate in the future. For AZ fans, this is a must have album as the barrage of bars has high replay value capabilities. AZ proves Truth Be Told is indeed not cap.