After
beginning his career by debuting on Nas’ track “Life’s A Bitch" AZ
released classic Albums such as 1995’s Doe or Die, 1998’s Pieces Of A Man,
2001’s 9 Lives and 2002‘s Aziatic. AZ was also a member of rap super
group The Firm with Nas, Foxy Brown and Nature and has recorded with some of
today’s greatest producers such as Dr. Dre, DJ Premier, Trackmasters, Buckwild
and Pete Rock.The Format is a rock-solid collection of 12 new tracks, lead by the DJ Premier produced title track, as Primo and AZ rekindle the seamless chemistry they previously demonstrated on 2005’s “The Come Up.��? Also, after producing AZ’s 2005 street-anthem “New York,��? Emile (more recently Emile produced Obie Trice’s “They Wanna Know") rejoins the fold to produce four-tracks. M.O.P.’s Lil Fame produces three tracks and also appears alongside his M.O.P. brethren Billy Danzenie and AZ on “Sit ‘Em Back Slow" and Little Brother joins AZ on “Rise And Fall" (which is co-produced by Little Brother’s Phonte Coleman).
Why did you go with the name The Format, have you changed your style?
I think it’s because when I was doing the album it felt like the format new artists have to follow to make it in the game. I want to change the format.
Do you want to make the charts with this project?
I’m not worried about the charts at all. I just want to reach my core audience and the fans.
What do you want people to find out about you after listening to this album?
I want them to think that he’s one of the greatest lyricists and that the album is superb.
Why do you think you’re an underrated artist?
Everything is all about politics in this business. I haven’t had a stable foundation and didn’t get the promotion when I needed it. I’m comfortable now and at the end of the day it is what it is and if it doesn’t happen then it’s not meant to.
What makes collaborating with DJ Premier so easy for you?
Premier is one of the great producers in the East Coast, we just click.
Do you think hip hop is dying?
Nah, not at all. Hip hop is a culture and a way of life. It’s getting everybody involved and it’s growing. Right now it’s in the South and it’s dance music but that’s cool. Things will come back around.
What do you think of artists who are overdoing the bling bling thing?
It’s their prerogative. Some people like money and some people like to raise awareness. Whatever they wanna do is cool.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Shalamar, Mary J Blige, Alicia Keys…I listen to all types of music.
Are you still doing Quiet Money Records?
Yes mam, it’s going well. I have some new artists on the label that can hold their own. I want to put out more music and sign more artists.
You’ve done some acting before, anymore plans for that?
I’m taking it real slow and trying to figure that out now. I don’t know what kind of script I’d like but I don’t wanna play myself I wanna do something different. I haven’t seen the OutKast film but I heard that’s hot with the thirties theme, I would do something like that.
www.myspace.com/AZofficialmyspace
By Rashmi Shastri - Oct 2006