AZ - The Format

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 Hip-Hop’s greatest producers such as Dr. Dre, DJ Premier, Trackmasters, Buckwild and Pete Rock. Following the success of his 2005 release A.W.O.L., AZ struck again a mere year later with a new studio release, The Format, released AZ’s own label, Quiet Money.  After a decade in the game, A.W.O.L. brought AZ back to the forefront and among his rightful place as one of Hip Hop’s most elite visceral lyricists; and The Format only solidified his already legendary status. AZ’s vision and lyrical power-to-paint pictures have long been celebrated by critics and fans alike.  This album is a rock-solid collection of 12 tracks, led by the DJ Premier produced title track, as Primo and AZ rekindled the seamless chemistry they previously demonstrated on 2005’s “The Come Up.” Also, after producing AZ’s 2005 street-anthem “New York”, Emile rejoined the fold to produce four tracks. M.O.P.’s Lil Fame produced three tracks and also appears alongside his M.O.P. brethren Billy Danze and AZ on “Sit ‘Em Back Slow,” and Little Brother joined AZ on “Rise And Fall”, which was co-produced by Little Brother’s Phonte Coleman. The album also features beats by J. Cardim and Statik Selektah.