Five years ago, AZ delivered one of the most anticipated sequel albums in hip-hop history. On September 10, 2021, the Brooklyn lyricist released Doe or Die II, the long-awaited follow-up to his classic 1995 debut, Doe or Die. AZ just celebrated the release of his 11th album, Doe or Die III which dropped in May.
Now, as Doe or Die II celebrates its fifth anniversary, it’s a great time to revisit an album that reminded hip-hop fans why AZ has long been considered one of the smoothest and most underrated lyricists of his generation.
The Long-Awaited Return of AZ
When Doe or Die II finally arrived, expectations were understandably high. The original Doe or Die helped establish AZ as an elite MC during one of hip-hop’s greatest eras. More than two decades later, creating a sequel to such an important album was always going to be challenging.
There was another reason fans were excited: AZ hadn’t released a full-length studio album since Legendary in 2009. Doe or Die II therefore represented his first studio album in more than a decade.
Instead of attempting to recreate 1995, AZ showed what aging gracefully in hip-hop could sound like. His effortless flow, detailed rhymes and luxurious street narratives remained intact, but the perspective came from a veteran who had experienced much more life.
A Strong Collection of Producers
One of the biggest attractions of Doe or Die II was the talent behind the boards.
The project featured production from an impressive group that included The Alchemist, Pete Rock, Buckwild, Bink!, Rockwilder, The Heatmakerz, KayGee and others.
Those producers gave AZ a combination of soulful samples, boom-bap drums and polished production that fit his laid-back delivery.
“The Ritual,” produced by The Alchemist, was particularly memorable. Featuring Conway the Machine and Lil Wayne, the record brought together three completely different MCs over a gritty backdrop.
Pete Rock also contributed to “Check Me Out,” a track that felt especially appropriate considering his history with AZ and the sound of the original Doe or Die era.
AZ Brought Along Some Impressive Guests
AZ didn’t handle Doe or Die II alone.
The 13-track original edition included appearances from Idris Elba, Jaheim, Rick Ross, Conway the Machine, Lil Wayne, Dave East and T-Pain.
“Never Enough” paired AZ with Rick Ross, and their styles were a natural match. Both artists have always been comfortable rhyming about success, money and street experiences over luxurious production.
“The Wheel” reunited hip-hop and R&B through an appearance from Jaheim, while “Ritual” gave listeners the heavyweight combination of AZ, Conway the Machine and Lil Wayne.
Dave East joined AZ on “Blow That S#%t,” while T-Pain appeared on the bonus track “What’s Good.”
The Tracklist
The original version of Doe or Die II featured 13 tracks:
- “Conversations With God (Intro)” featuring Idris Elba
- “Just 4 U”
- “The Wheel” featuring Jaheim
- “Keep It Real”
- “Never Enough” featuring Rick Ross
- “Different”
- “Ritual” featuring Conway the Machine & Lil Wayne
- “Blow That S#%t” featuring Dave East
- “Bulletproof”
- “Check Me Out”
- “Time To Answer”
- “Found My Niche”
- “What’s Good” featuring T-Pain
The album clocks in at roughly 42 minutes, making it a focused listen without a lot of unnecessary filler.
Standout Tracks From Doe or Die II
Five years later, several songs remain worth revisiting.
“The Wheel” featuring Jaheim is one of the smoother records on the project. Jaheim’s vocals blend nicely with AZ’s laid-back flow, giving the album some of the soulful sound longtime fans expected.
“Never Enough” featuring Rick Ross sounds like the collaboration AZ and Ross were built to make. Their luxurious rap styles complement each other extremely well.
“Ritual” featuring Conway the Machine and Lil Wayne may be the album’s biggest lyrical showcase. The Alchemist provides the perfect backdrop for three talented MCs to simply rap.
“Bulletproof” puts the attention primarily on AZ and demonstrates that his flow remained remarkably sharp decades into his career.
“Check Me Out” is another highlight, with Pete Rock helping provide a sound that connects the veteran AZ with the feel of his earlier work.
AZ Showed That Veteran Rappers Can Still Deliver
Perhaps the most impressive part of Doe or Die II was that AZ didn’t sound like an artist desperately attempting to relive his younger days.
He sounded comfortable.
The slick vocabulary was still there. The effortless flow was still there. The vivid street imagery was still there. But AZ approached those elements from the perspective of someone who had survived long enough to look back on everything he’d experienced.
Reviews at the time recognized that strength. RapReviews praised the album as a reminder of AZ’s abilities and described it as a strong entry point for listeners unfamiliar with his catalog, awarding the project a 7.5/10 rating.
Other reviewers were even more enthusiastic about the long-awaited sequel, while also recognizing that following an album as respected as the original Doe or Die was an almost impossible standard.
Five Years Later
Five years after its release, Doe or Die II remains an important part of AZ’s catalog.
It didn’t need to replace the original Doe or Die. That album belongs to a completely different time in hip-hop. Instead, Doe or Die II gave listeners an opportunity to hear what the same MC sounded like decades later—with more experience but many of the qualities that made fans appreciate him in the first place.
AZ has always occupied an interesting place in hip-hop history. He’s highly respected by dedicated rap fans, yet his name isn’t always mentioned as quickly as some of his contemporaries when discussing the greatest lyricists of the 1990s.
Albums like Doe or Die II are reminders that he deserves to remain part of that conversation.
Following the project, AZ continued making music and released Truth Be Told in 2023, an album produced entirely by longtime collaborator Buckwild.
Final Thoughts
Doe or Die II was more than just a sequel. It was AZ showing that great lyricism doesn’t have an expiration date.
From “The Wheel” and “Never Enough” to “Ritual,” “Bulletproof” and “Check Me Out,” the album offered plenty for longtime AZ supporters while introducing another generation of listeners to one of hip-hop’s smoothest MCs.
Five years later, the project still sounds like what it was intended to be: a veteran rapper honoring his past without becoming trapped by it.
Happy fifth anniversary to AZ’s Doe or Die II.
What are your favorite tracks from Doe or Die II, and where do you rank the album in AZ’s discography?
