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Track: The Format
Artist: AZ
Album: The Format (Special Edition)

Artist Bio

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Name: AZ
Spotify Genres: east coast hip hop, old school hip hop, boom bap
Followers: 399,591
Popularity:

57/100

Biography

Brooklyn, NY rapper, of Dominican descent who got to make his apperance as the only guest rapper on Nas' classic album 'Illmatic' on the song "Life's A Bitch" in 1994. AZ cut his own album a year later, Doe or Die, but due to lack of promotion, the album didn't do as well as other established artists such as Raekwon's "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" or Jay-Z's debut, "Reasonable Doubt," even though it is considered just as classic as those albums. It was followed by the sophmore slump 'Pieces of a Man.' It was on par, lyrically, but the beats, mostly handled by the Trackmasters, didn't come through for AZ. Since his album flopped, he left Noo Trybe and in late 1999 early 2000, he released an independent album SOSA (Save Our Streets AZ). Motown (yes the R&B label) heard his album and was interested in releasing it commercially and decided to give AZ a record contract. He was supposed to carry them as a serious rap label, but again, due to promotion, his album, 9 Lives, didn't sell as well as he'd liked, though it was critically acclaimed and touched on all aspects, lyricaly and musically. His follow up in 2001, Aziatic, sold a few more albums than 9 Lives and is just as great an album as Doe or Die and 9 Lives. AZ has since left Motown and is rumored to be making an independent album with Nas which is supposed to be titled "Alpha/Omega." Only the future will tell.

Source: Discogs

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Release: AZ - The Format
Year: 2006
Genres: Hip Hop

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Source: MusicBrainz

LYRICS

I'm readyy
You know the chronicles the shit that if momma knew
the stress the drama dude the techs phenominal
rapid fire, pecs thru the adominal
you bastard liars, it's me whos the honorable
bathed and clothed up, shaved and close cut
restraint from temptation was drained from both nuts
hah.. now the physical form verbalized thru the scriptures i was Biblically born
It's Ia Jerimiah, concieved thru the blunt fire
On kawasakis could wheelie up on one tire
Well respected, gel connected, got the method for the woody females perfected
for sure, very few flaws, heavy chevy 2 doors
candy painted to give a nigga the blue balls
course, this the life i chose
the bid, the 360, the cyphers closed c'mon

The format is real sickening, contagious
Here I come, AZ
Still, i dont have to run no games i've done those thangs

Young and gifted my tongues prolific
in the beached bungalow is how i brung in christmas
from the streets ima flow from the hungriest districts
switch kicks, crisp when i come to them picnics
play it slow, paper chase, stack, and lay low
range rov, tinted all black the same old
psychic mind, writes his ryhmes
still turn the new leaf on my life of crime
no concerns with new beef whos as nice as i'm
its confirmed from feet i'm still a sniper blind
built my fame, spilt my pain
politicing daily still tryn to milk the game
its obvious that i'm real rap skills remain
i took some change and i'm still the same..

The format is real sickening, contagious
Here I come, AZ
Still, i dont have to run no games i've done those thangs

Learned the system
[?] from izm
jotted my jewels down like journalism
how ima ? now it emerged thru wisdom
a pilgrim, prophisize puttin words to rhythm
relatin', an Adam Clayton in manifestation
patient, meditatin' with them animals waitin
pacin', like an M-8 that sealed it's fate
let some years escape but i'm still in shape
Im Chillin..
deeply rooted, a beast with music
from ? to the east im too at peace to lose it
but love it, i still does it
breathin off a Trump budget
fresh outa Bloomies with the Louie luggage

The format is real sickening, contagious
Here I come, AZ
Still, i dont have to run no games i've done those thangs