Through the fame, through the fire and the flames,
I adapt to the pain, real niggas do the same.
And though we homies and we no longer hang
You know you know me, and that love still remains.

AZ, “Never Change,” A.W.O.L., 2005

Play the game for my people, stay in charge of your dreams.
Keep your vision focused, get wise, and largen your C.R.E.A.M.

AZ, “New Life,” Pieces of a Man, 1998. More AZ quotes.

Every coast gotta know, I’m the most with the flow,
No joke I’m a pro, I’m like The Pope on the low.

AZ, “I Am the Truth,” The Format, 2006. Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected as the 266th pope of the Catholic Church yesterday.

We were beginners in the hood as 5 Percenters,
But somethin’ must’ve got in us, cause all of us turned to sinners.

AZ, “Life’s a Bitch,” from Nas’ Illmatic, 1994

I got styles sick as hell, sicker than sickle cell anemia,
Slaughter your circulatory like leukemia.

AZ, “Rather Unique,” Doe or Die, 1995

Keepin’ this effervescent street ghetto essence inside us
Cause it provides us with the proper insight to guide us

AZ, “Life’s a Bitch,” from Nas’ Illmatic, 1994

Visualizin’ the realism of life and actuality,
Fuck who’s the baddest, a person’s status depends on salary.

AZ, “Life’s a Bitch,” from Nas’ Illmatic, 1994

My whole persona’s kinda laid back like a recliner,
And since a minor, I been fucking with marijuana.

AZ, “Rather Unique,” Doe or Die, 1995. More from AZ…

Life’s a bitch and then you die.
That’s why we get high,
Cause you never know when you’re gonna go.

AZ, “Life’s a Bitch,” Illmatic, 1994. More from AZ…