The Bar Exam: Undeniable

Artist: AZ

Album #7 :Undeniable

Label: Quiet Money/KOCH Records

By L.D.Williams Jr




Breakdown

AZ emerged on the rap scene as the lone guest appearance on Nas' debut album Illmatic. Ever since AZ laid the verse that has cemented in hip hop history he has given hip hop nothing but consistent quality material. AZ is such a stalwart for consistency that this album was ranked number five by yours truly in the “Top 5 Most Anticipated Albums of 2008”. Now that the album is finally here I can honestly say AZ did not disappoint.


AZ starts the album off strongly with the song “The Game Don't Stop”,”Superstar” and “Life on the Line”. These songs are strong because they feature what you just absolutely love about AZ his silky smooth flow. AZ gives you much of the same on the title track.
After listening to this album multiple times the album is very good but there is nothing great. The production for this album is average compared to some of his previous work.


Like I said before there is aesthetically there is nothing that is glaringly wrong with this album but there still are a few grievances. I liked the idea of AZ pairing up with Styles P on “The Hardest” but why did he have to rehash a song that was released in 2007 on Styles P's release “The Phantom Sessions”? Go Getta featuring Ray J is not a terrible song but the hook is very reminiscent of Young Jeezy and R. Kelly's song two years ago. Another knock on AZ pairing with Ray J here is because the beat used for Go Getta Ray J used on his solo album All I Feel. (Writer's Note AZ's Undeniable preceded Ray J's album by a week who commissioned that move?)


Despite these grievances the album is still good not great but good. AZ proves yet again that he can put together another solid album, and while other people's place in the game is shaky AZ proves that his legacy is Undeniable.

Final Score: 3.5/5


Tracklisting :

1 "Now I Know... [Intro]" AZ N.O. Joe
2 "The Game" AZ, The Game Dr. Dre
3 "Life On The Line" AZ, Jimi Kendrix Street Radio
4 "Body Rock" AZ, R. Kelly, Twista Timbaland
5 "What Would You Do" AZ, Jay Rush Lil' Fame
6 "Still On Fire" AZ, Jay-Z Nottz
7 "Parking Lot Pimpin'" AZ DJ Premier
8 "Go Getta" AZ, Ray J Emile
9 "Dead End" AZ D.R. Period
10 "Superstar" AZ DJ Absolute
11 "The Hardest Out Remix" AZ, Jadakiss, Styles P Large Professor
12 "Authorized Biography Of Anthony Cruz" AZ Emile
13 "Life's A Bitch 2008" AZ, Nas L.E.S.
14 "...Better [Outro]"