Pittsburg, CA rapper A-Wax has been active since the early 2000's. He initially came up on the scene through his associations with fellow Northern California local sensations Woodie or the Mob Figaz. He would go on to release his debut album Savage Timez in 2001.
His story is unlike anyone else's: a white man who ended up joining the Bloods - a notoriously violent gang mostly made of black members - he was arrested and found guilty of manslaughter, sentenced as if he was an adult despite being 16 years old. He spent 5 years in prison where he became fascinated with Hip-Hop culture and started writing songs. Upon his release from prison he met with Woodie who brought him onto the rap scene and introduced him to the Norteños while at it.
He has since released over 20 solo and collaborative projects, rapping alongside the Mob Figaz (who would later become sworn enemies due to street beef), Woodie and his East Co. Co. crew, Waka Flocka Flame's Brick Squad, just to name a few. This has helped bring multi-regional musical influences to his artistry and, compiled with his lyrics focusing on themes such as the ups and downs of street life, loyalty and betrayal, it makes of A-Wax a compelling rapper.
As he is gearing up to release 2 new solo albums this year - the follow-up to his classic 2014 album "Pullin' Stringz" and another album titled "Allegedly" - time to (re-)discover A-Wax with my favorite 10 songs of his.
"Tried As An Adult" (from the album "Everlasting Money")
This right here really is the song that put me up on A-Wax. I came along late, I have to admit. From the dope voice sample to the hard-hitting drums courtesy of NonStop Da Hitman and 808 Mafia and to the raw lyrics, this is probably one of the best introductions you can have to A-Wax. He carries himself perfectly over this dope beat, talking about his life experience with lyrics like:
"Kids my age were getting licenses
I was getting settled where the lifers leave
Had a problem with somebody twice as big as me
Caught him in the breezeway knifed his ribs
Fighting but at least we know whose fight this is
Writing it like I don't know whose life this is
Praying to above I make the right decisions
'Cause I never had no one to call in crises"
"Street Thugz" featuring Young Al and The Jacka (from the album "Savage Timez)
"Dead Or In Jail" (from the album "Pushin' Keyz")
The chorus above says it all about the mood of this song. A-Was delivers his brand of dark and disillusioned music over a melancholic piano loop carried by bass-heavy drums courtesy of NonStop Da Hitman once again. This is one of my all-time favorites from A-Wax and probably the best song off of the "Pushin' Keyz" album.
"This Town" (from the album "Thug Deluxe")
This song appears on the album that started the whole beef with Husalah of the Mob Figaz (over him allegedly giving information to get some of A-Wax's friends arrested for interstate drug trafficking). The whole album is brilliant, flipping the concept of Sade's classic "Love Deluxe" album and giving it a street spin. It features A-Wax rapping alone - save for one song featuring The Game - throughout the album over samples of Sting, Sade, and Frank Sinatra right on this song, "This Town". A-Wax pays homage to his hometown Pittsburg and raps about his aspirations as a then up-and-coming artist in California.
"Kriminal" (from the album "Recession Proof" with Gonzoe)
Produced by Happy Perez and probably recorded during A-Wax's tenure on Akon's label Konvict Muzik, this song appeared on his collaboration album with South Central, L.A. rapper Gonzoe. It is oddly upbeat and bright for A-Wax, as he still raps about the code of streets but does not take the subject in his usual sad and melancholic way, making it a great banger.
"If I Don't Smoke" (from the album "Everlasting Money")
This is yet another gem from the "Everlasting Money" album. A-Wax mourns the late Woodie, contemplates suicide and talks how drugs may very well be the only thing that keep him going. The chorus - albeit depressive - is quite infectious and will stick in your head. I had this song on repeat on the album when I first got it and it still hits hard every time I play it again. A must-add to your A-Wax playlist.
"Be Alone" (from the album "Pullin' Stringz")
Many would say A-Wax was at his best on this album. I would agree he truly reached his top exploring some of the themes he first mentioned on the album "Thug Deluxe", such as betrayal and loneliness. "Be Alone" is a great example of that and it is a definitive highlight on this 2014 album.
"Gone Fishin' (from the album "Jesus Malverde")
A-Wax takes on a new moniker for the time of this album and raps as if a cartel kingpin on cuts like the Loudpack-produced "Gone Fishin". A-Wax tells vivid drug trafficking stories such as on the second verse starter that goes like "This b*tch is dumb, this b*tch is dumber than a bag of rocks/Live bait, just don't go inside her taco box/I push a hard line, she snorts a soft one/Out of eleven trucks, we only lost one/I'ts been a good year, nothing to b*tch about/You want that boy to testify you better fish him out".
"Lay 'Em Down Twice" (from the album "Pullin' Stringz")
Another cut off of his "Pullin' Stringz" album. This one finds A-Wax revisit his 2006 song with Woodie and B-Dawg. Even if you don't like any of the other songs I selected on this page, this one should get your interest thanks to the infectious synths and sung chorus. This is the type of songs you'd play loud in the car as you cruise around.
"Gatez" (from the album "Jr. High 2 The Pen Vol. 2")
His story is unlike anyone else's: a white man who ended up joining the Bloods - a notoriously violent gang mostly made of black members - he was arrested and found guilty of manslaughter, sentenced as if he was an adult despite being 16 years old. He spent 5 years in prison where he became fascinated with Hip-Hop culture and started writing songs. Upon his release from prison he met with Woodie who brought him onto the rap scene and introduced him to the Norteños while at it.
He has since released over 20 solo and collaborative projects, rapping alongside the Mob Figaz (who would later become sworn enemies due to street beef), Woodie and his East Co. Co. crew, Waka Flocka Flame's Brick Squad, just to name a few. This has helped bring multi-regional musical influences to his artistry and, compiled with his lyrics focusing on themes such as the ups and downs of street life, loyalty and betrayal, it makes of A-Wax a compelling rapper.
As he is gearing up to release 2 new solo albums this year - the follow-up to his classic 2014 album "Pullin' Stringz" and another album titled "Allegedly" - time to (re-)discover A-Wax with my favorite 10 songs of his.
"Tried As An Adult" (from the album "Everlasting Money")
This right here really is the song that put me up on A-Wax. I came along late, I have to admit. From the dope voice sample to the hard-hitting drums courtesy of NonStop Da Hitman and 808 Mafia and to the raw lyrics, this is probably one of the best introductions you can have to A-Wax. He carries himself perfectly over this dope beat, talking about his life experience with lyrics like:
"Kids my age were getting licenses
I was getting settled where the lifers leave
Had a problem with somebody twice as big as me
Caught him in the breezeway knifed his ribs
Fighting but at least we know whose fight this is
Writing it like I don't know whose life this is
Praying to above I make the right decisions
'Cause I never had no one to call in crises"
"Street Thugz" featuring Young Al and The Jacka (from the album "Savage Timez)
Off of A-Wax's debut, "Savage Timez", comes this RobLo produced cut featuring Oakland's Young Al and The Jacka of the Mob Figaz. All 3 rappers spit fire verses over a beat that's reminiscent of the vintage productions RobLo was doing for the Mob Figaz, but A-Wax truly owns the track with the second verse and vivid lines:
"Are we here just to disappear like smoke
Running top speed off a never-ending slope
Once again, here's a fork in the road
Dawg which way do I go? (Don't know)"
"Dead Or In Jail" (from the album "Pushin' Keyz")
"All of my partners are dead or in jail
Trying to better myself
But will I wind up in heaven or hell?
I can't depend on myself
I can't depend on no bitch
I can't depend on no plug
I can't depend on myself
So I'm dependent on drugs"
The chorus above says it all about the mood of this song. A-Was delivers his brand of dark and disillusioned music over a melancholic piano loop carried by bass-heavy drums courtesy of NonStop Da Hitman once again. This is one of my all-time favorites from A-Wax and probably the best song off of the "Pushin' Keyz" album.
"This Town" (from the album "Thug Deluxe")
This song appears on the album that started the whole beef with Husalah of the Mob Figaz (over him allegedly giving information to get some of A-Wax's friends arrested for interstate drug trafficking). The whole album is brilliant, flipping the concept of Sade's classic "Love Deluxe" album and giving it a street spin. It features A-Wax rapping alone - save for one song featuring The Game - throughout the album over samples of Sting, Sade, and Frank Sinatra right on this song, "This Town". A-Wax pays homage to his hometown Pittsburg and raps about his aspirations as a then up-and-coming artist in California.
"Kriminal" (from the album "Recession Proof" with Gonzoe)
Produced by Happy Perez and probably recorded during A-Wax's tenure on Akon's label Konvict Muzik, this song appeared on his collaboration album with South Central, L.A. rapper Gonzoe. It is oddly upbeat and bright for A-Wax, as he still raps about the code of streets but does not take the subject in his usual sad and melancholic way, making it a great banger.
"If I Don't Smoke" (from the album "Everlasting Money")
This is yet another gem from the "Everlasting Money" album. A-Wax mourns the late Woodie, contemplates suicide and talks how drugs may very well be the only thing that keep him going. The chorus - albeit depressive - is quite infectious and will stick in your head. I had this song on repeat on the album when I first got it and it still hits hard every time I play it again. A must-add to your A-Wax playlist.
"Be Alone" (from the album "Pullin' Stringz")
Many would say A-Wax was at his best on this album. I would agree he truly reached his top exploring some of the themes he first mentioned on the album "Thug Deluxe", such as betrayal and loneliness. "Be Alone" is a great example of that and it is a definitive highlight on this 2014 album.
"Gone Fishin' (from the album "Jesus Malverde")
A-Wax takes on a new moniker for the time of this album and raps as if a cartel kingpin on cuts like the Loudpack-produced "Gone Fishin". A-Wax tells vivid drug trafficking stories such as on the second verse starter that goes like "This b*tch is dumb, this b*tch is dumber than a bag of rocks/Live bait, just don't go inside her taco box/I push a hard line, she snorts a soft one/Out of eleven trucks, we only lost one/I'ts been a good year, nothing to b*tch about/You want that boy to testify you better fish him out".
"Lay 'Em Down Twice" (from the album "Pullin' Stringz")
Another cut off of his "Pullin' Stringz" album. This one finds A-Wax revisit his 2006 song with Woodie and B-Dawg. Even if you don't like any of the other songs I selected on this page, this one should get your interest thanks to the infectious synths and sung chorus. This is the type of songs you'd play loud in the car as you cruise around.
"Gatez" (from the album "Jr. High 2 The Pen Vol. 2")
This is hands-down his best song. A-Wax raps about finding himself in front of the gates of hell, recalls all the wrongs he's done in his life and regrets not making it to heaven. This is a sad song, but some of his best writing can be heard on here: "Look, I'm feeling real selfish reverend/Probably know more people down in hell than in heaven/Love 'em all, how I'm feeling is torn/Hoping for a halo while I'm feeling for horns". The song ends on a hard learned life lesson as A-Wax finishes with "I've been locked up I feel what Akon says/All fun and games until your friends and homies dead/Until your man's on the stand in court/One thing about life is it's damn sure short".
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