AZ – Doe Or Die III (Album Review)

AZ stays locked into his classic sound on “Do Or Die III.”

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TOP 5 SONGS

5. So High (Ft. Mumu Fresh)

If you told me this track came out in 2002, I would believe you (take that however you want). The song is built on a sunny instrumental that would light up a backyard cookout with ease.

Mumu Fresh delivers a soulful chorus that is simple as hell but still effective, doing exactly what it needs to do to lift the track’s energy.

AZ approaches the record as a reflective hustler, touching on wealth, survival, loyalty, gratitude, caution, and staying grounded even amid success. The interesting part is how he comes across like a gangster who just had a really good day, balancing grit with a lighter, more thankful tone.

4. Gimme The World (Ft. Jadakiss)

Go ahead and put Jadakiss on the Mount Rushmore of hook makers. In “Gimme The World,” that’s the only thing he provides. Will I call his performance Michael Jackson-Esque? No, but I applaud the effort.

As for AZ, he handles the verses, gliding through them as he reflects on street codes, loyalty, survival, spiritual growth, ambition, and trusting destiny while staying grounded and principled.

OK, I’ll be honest with you, Jadakiss sounds terrible on this track.

3. Uniqueness (Ft. Mike & Keys)

If you are an MC rapping over soulful production, you already have a strong chance of winning me over. That is exactly what happens on “Uniqueness.” The track is powered by a warm, soulful beat with a smooth tempo and laid-back Sunday energy.

None of that softens AZ, though. He still attacks the track with urgency, rapping like his reputation depends on every bar. Lyrically, he reflects on staying authentic over the years while also calling out those who refuse to move forward. There is just something dope about the way he completely dives into the production and owns it from start to finish.

2. Still Jackie

I can definitely see someone calling this track a little cheesy, but honestly, I rock with it. The song is powered by a feel-good, sunny instrumental packed with soulful samples that sound excellent throughout. Even with the smoother production, AZ never loses his grit. If anything, he just sounds a little more relaxed and comfortable riding the beat.

Lyrically, AZ pays homage to a luxurious, street-smart woman who embraces wealth, beauty, independence, and survival while effortlessly attracting attention and high-status lifestyles. The storytelling feels vivid, and the way he paints her lifestyle gives the track personality. More than anything, though, the song just flows extremely well from start to finish.

1. Surprise (Ft. Nas & Mike & Keys)

More than 30 years after first working together, Nas and AZ still sound natural together. On “Surprise,” the two veterans trade bars effortlessly while rapping about major moves, hustling, copycats in the game, and staying solid through it all. Nas delivers a commanding performance that instantly grabs attention, but instead of overshadowing AZ, it actually pushes him to stand out even more. Some legends never lose their touch.

SONG BY SONG RATING

1. The Origin (Intro) (3.5/5)

2. No Need For Lactose (4/5)

3. Gimmie The World (Ft. Jadakiss) (3.5/5)

4. Uniqueness (Ft. Mike & Keys) (4/5)

5. So High (Ft. Mumu Fresh) (3.5/5)

6. Ho Happy (Skit) (N/A)

7. Still Jackie (4/5)

8. Surprise (Ft. Nas & Mike & Keys) (4/5)

9. Fresh Water (3.5/5)

10. Winners Win (3.5/5)

11. I Was Once There Too (3/5)

12. Love My Life (4/5)

13. We Made It (Outro) (3.5/5)

RGM RATING

(74%)

AZ is your rapper’s favorite rapper. He never reached full-blown superstardom, but his pen game and delivery have always kept him in that “rapper’s rapper” tier. On Do Or Die III, he sounds locked in and close to his prime form again, moving through tracks with grit, control, and street-level wisdom.

From a production standpoint, Doe Or Die III leans into timeless, hard-hitting instrumentals that feel built for attention rather than background listening. The beats are polished and deliberate, designed for MCs who actually respect the space they are rapping over. My one gripe with them: At times, they do sound a bit stale/outdated. The project, at times, sounds like it was made in the early 2000s.

AZ matches that energy with an effortless, composed delivery. His vocals are calm but confident, rarely raising their urgency because they do not need to. His strength lies in sharp wordplay, steady flows, and a precise vocabulary that give each line weight. He does not chase trends or lean into melodic experimentation; he keeps everything direct and bar-focused instead. Where you might lose some folks is that he almost sounds too locked in; like a dude who completely has his head down, not caring to let certain sentiments soak in.

Lyrically, AZ balances luxury talk with grounded reflection. He speaks on success, comfort in his identity, the environment he came from, and the rules that shaped him. The result is a project that stays consistent in tone. It’s almost unbelievable how he’s able to channel subject matters that his younger self would connect with.

All in all, Doe Or Die III is a reminder of what the underdog AZ brought to the game, but it also reminds you why he never quite reached commercial status.