October 31, 2006 @ 11:21 am

AZ: Striving For Perfection

by: Richard Cruz

Eleven years since AZ (né Anthony Cruz) stole the show on “Life’s A Bitch” on Nas’ classic Illmatic, and the Brooklyn-MC has continuously put out quality music that has appealed to the underground, but has yet to crack the surface. As he preps the release of his sixth solo disc, titled The Format, the laid-back lyricist shares his thoughts on hip hop, Nas, and being himself in an industry full of fakers. VIBE.COM: You’ve been away for a minute; how has life been treating you? AZ: I can’t complain, man. I take the good with the bad; every lesson’s a blessing, so I’m good. Tell me about your new project, The Format. Why did you name it that? left AZ: When I started working on the album, I felt good vibes, and I’ve been around for a minute, so I’m like the format to survival. So for those that listen to the album, they get the format to survival and they’ll last a little longer with whatever they’re doing. I guess I speak universal at the end of the day. How did you link up with Lil’ Fame [of M.O.P.] for that track “The Truth”? That song is pretty serious! AZ: Yes sir. He’s been doing music for a minute; he was on the AWOL album and he did a joint and I guess he stuck at it. His tracks are serious, and it’s a BK thing, I like a couple of his joints. I guess Primo schooled him real good or somethin’. I got a few joints from him, and it’s looking good. How is the rest of “The Format” shaping up? AZ: On the album I got Primo, Fame, and a few up-and-coming producers who are serious with it. As far as collabs, I got a Little Brother joint, they have a good following underground, and I have an M.O.P. joint, and then my artist, Fresh, he’s on two joints. I feel good about the album; every album steps up to me. It’s a step up from AWOL, that’s why I decided to stay around for a couple of more years; I got a couple of more albums in me. Is there a collaboration with Nas on this album? The world is in dire need of another “Life’s A Bitch” or “The Flyest”. AZ: Not at all. I love the brother to death, but he’s in the zone, whatever zone that is. He’s trying to tackle that whole Def Jam system and he’s a married man. Basically, there’s no bad blood at the end of the day, but we’re walking up different paths and that’s where we’re at with it. The love is there, the love is unconditional, but he’s tackling different monsters and I’m over here trying to tackle the whole independent thing, it’s a new world to me but its also a good world. As someone who’s closer with Nas than most, what is your take on his recent career decision? Is him linking with Jay-Z something you foresaw? AZ: [sighs] You know what? I’m in awe with it at the end of the day. I know it’s a good move for hip-hop. They’re two pioneers [from] New York City, and we need that right now, so about the situation I think it’s a good thing. Business-wise I don’t know what’ll come out of it, but as far as music, I’m sure it will be great. I guess [Nas] made that decision because he saw the light at the end of the tunnel. That’s what it is. One thing that’s striking about you is that regardless of what’s going on in the mainstream, you maintain your own style of rap, even if it hinders your album sales. AZ: There are a lot of hustlers in the game, they know how to switch it up. But at the end of the day, its important to stay true to what you do, and when you get a core fanbase, you gotta focus on that. I appreciate the amount of fans that I have, and everyday there are more adding on. Some, in due time they get the recognition they need, and some get it off top. Its just a matter of playing the game. There has been nonstop talk of New York’s hip hop scene in a drought. How do you feel lyric-based rappers, like yourself, can survive in an era overrun by sing-along choruses and dance instructions without conforming? AZ: Real lyricists are always going to maintain; we’re originators at the end of the day. You see how the squirrel moves: get a nut, put it away, and wait for the winter to pass, this is what we do. Hip-hop started here and its going to end here, regardless of what. On the lighter side of things, we’re all A-alikes, we’re all ghetto, so its good for everyone to come up and get a bird’s eye view of what’s going on. We recognize good music, its just cultural communication. In your opinion, what has been the most drastic change in hip hop since you debuted? AZ: Oh! I mean the biggest thing for me was when Pac and Big passed. That put hip hop on pause for me. But other than that, I just take the good with the bad. If you could work with anybody right now, who would it be and why? AZ: I would love to work with Mary, because she sings from the heart and soul, so I’d love to work with her. What do you think the future holds for AZ? AZ: Um, here, in hip hop, doing what I do. I want to keep bringing new artists to the table. And what’s good with your new artist, Fresh? AZ: Fresh is from New Jersey and he’s the son of Master G from the Sugar Hill Gang. Its crazy because those were the founders, and they sold crazy records and now to have a son in the game.. He’s crazy lyrical and I want to see how the fans embrace him. He’s on tour [with me], he’s on two cuts on my album; we’re getting ready to have some fun. Read more vibe.com online exclusives.

Article tags: AZ, Illmatic, Nas, The Format 

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