AZ - The Format

[BTB]

I just discovered this guy and he is freakin awesome. I have his new album "Undeniable" which is decent but The Format seems a lot better. In particular, the song entitled "The Format" is amazing, I can't get enough of the beat and his flow on it is amazing. I vaguely recall a thread earlier in the year about AZ but I couldn't find it in the search. Any other songs you guys recommend?

[jsg]

Re: AZ - The Format

AZ has been around for over 10 years. his album, A.W.O.L is pretty good but i like his older stuff better. try looking for the firm album with him, nas, foxy brown and nature. i wish he and nas still did music together.

[Cebby]

Re: AZ - The Format

I don't like to say this phrase, but have you listened to Illmatic?

[iLLmatic]

Re: AZ - The Format

I don't like to say this phrase, but have you listened to Illmatic?

Yeah have you listened to me?
LoL

[BTB]

Re: AZ - The Format

Yea I'm just not into rap that much, I get into certain rappers and that opens me up to other stuff.

[loccdogg26]

Re: AZ - The Format

Dude is straight nasty and I feel he never got credit he deserved. He's been around for a minute. Here's a little info if you want it>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>




Discography

Albums
Doe or Die
Released: October 10, 1995
Sales: 1,000,000
RIAA Certification:Platinum
Billboard 200 chart position: #15
R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #1
Singles: "Gimme Yours"/"Uncut Raw", "Sugar Hill"/"Rather Unique", "Sugar Hill (Remix)", "Doe or Die"/"Mo Money Mo Murder "Homic ide"
The Firm: The Album (with The Firm)
Released: October 21, 1997
Sales: 1,200,000
RIAA Certification:Platinum
Billboard 200 chart position: #1
R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #1
Singles: "Firm Biz", "Phone Tap"/"Five Minutes to Flush"
Pieces of a Man
Released: April 7, 1998
Sales: 478,000
RIAA Certification:
Billboard 200 chart position: #22
R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #5
Singles: "Hey AZ"/"Sosa", "What's the Deal"/"Trading Places"
9 Lives
Released: June 12, 2001
Sales: 435,000
RIAA Certification:
Billboard 200 chart position: #23
R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #4
Singles: "Everything's Everything"/"At Night", "Problems"/"I Don't Give a ****"
Aziatic
Released: June 11, 2002
Sales: 500,000
RIAA Certification:
Billboard 200 chart position: #29
R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #5
Singles: "I'm Back", "Wanna Be There", "The Essence", "Take it Off"
A.W.O.L.
Released: September 6, 2005
Sales: 295,000
RIAA Certification:
Billboard 200 chart position: #73
R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #17
Singles: "The Come Up"/"Magic Hour", "Still Alive"/"New York", "AZ's Chillin'"/"Never Change"
The Format
Released: November 7, 2006
Sales: 110,000
RIAA Certification:
Billboard 200 chart position:
R&B/Hip-Hop chart position:
Singles: "The Format"/"Vendetta"

Compilations/Unreleased/Unofficial albums
S.O.S.A. (Save Our Streets AZ) (EP)
Released: 2000
Sales:
RIAA Certification:
Billboard 200 chart position:
R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: -
Singles: "I Don't Give a ****"/"Love Me in a Special Way"
Decade 1994-2004
Released: October 12, 2004
Sales:
RIAA Certification:
Billboard 200 chart position: -
R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: -
Singles: N/A
Final Call
Released: Unreleased (planned for 2004)
Sales:
RIAA Certification:
Billboard 200 chart position: -
R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: -
Singles: "Live Wire", "Magic Hour"

[WaddupCouzin]

Re: AZ - The Format

Undeniable is a good album. AWOL is really good. True Vintage Lyricist! You can't go wrong with AZ/

[X*Cell]

Re: AZ - The Format

Yeah have you listened to me?
LoL

The Format is by far his best work, but I always make sure to cop whatever he releases. He hardly disappoints. His flow is extremely fluid over the instrumentals he chooses... almost effortless sounding. Best song by him on the Format is "Games", best off Undeniable is "Life On the Line", and my favorite song of his all-time is "City of Gods".

[ThaGenecyst]

Re: AZ - The Format

shame on you for just discovering this man!


Go get Doe or Die and Pieces of A Man... then listen to Aziatic... he's great.

[ThaGenecyst]

Re: AZ - The Format

The Format is by far his best work, but I always make sure to cop whatever he releases. He hardly disappoints. His flow is extremely fluid over the instrumentals he chooses... almost effortless sounding. Best song by him on the Format is "Games", best off Undeniable is "Life On the Line", and my favorite song of his all-time is "City of Gods".

I disagree with the Format being his best work... i think he truly shined on Doe or Die and Aziatic


I'll rank those albums in this order


Doe or Die
Aziatic
The Format

[X*Cell]

Re: AZ - The Format

I disagree with the Format being his best work... i think he truly shined on Doe or Die and Aziatic


I'll rank those albums in this order


Doe or Die
Aziatic
The Format

Yeah Doe or Die is nasty... but I think its preferred taste... whether you like young AZ or older AZ... each entity has it's similarities, but each has it's own strongpoints (which dictate differences) as well.

[loccdogg26]

Re: AZ - The Format

I still listen to Doe Or Die brings back memories of me being a freshman in college.

[Streets]

Re: AZ - The Format

DOD was much more raw, Format is much more soulful and mature... both have their strong points; it's hard to pick a favorite. I have The Format as one of the few ringtones on my phone along with Nas is Like (Nas), Lapdance (NERD), Homecoming (Kanye West), The Instrumental (Lupe Fiasco), and CREAM (Wu-Tang). The beat and flow are just so sick on that song.

For the OP, if you are not into copping whole albums and want to sample AZ, get anything he has done with Nas, as those two bring out the best in eachother (and its my hope that I put you on the greatest of all time... Nasir Jones).

Here are a couple samples of their work together off the top...

Life's a Bitch (Illmatic- Nas feat. AZ)
Mo Money Mo Murder (Homicide) (Doe Or Die- AZ feat. Nas)
How Ya Livin' (9 Lives- AZ feat. Nas)
The Flyest (Stillmatic- Nas feat. AZ)
The Essence (Aziatic- AZ feat. Nas)
Firm Fiasco (The Album- The Firm)
Phonetap (The Album- The Firm)

[Kodii Rockets]

Re: AZ - The Format

Yeah, for what it's worth my vote is for Doe or Die