HHDX: I feel you, so I see you are excited about this new album?

AZ: Yes sir.

HHDX: Now I heard you got a little diss track coming at 50, what’s good with that?

AZ: Well basically it’s not a diss track I’m not into that dissing shit, but he said some kind of comment towards me in one of his last albums. I just wanted to talk to him you know what I mean? I like to talk to these brotha’s you know, they love all that back and forth hip-hop shit and I’m not with it. I’m just trying to do my thing you know, so tough love.

HHDX: Well you know 50’s known for being the bully of hip-hop these days?

AZ: That ain’t got nothing to do with me I ain’t into that. I cared about a bully when I was little, so I wouldn’t care about a bully when I’m grown.

HHDX: I just look at it like it’s his little publicity stunt or something?

AZ: Yeah, it’s all cool, but I’m with it though. I’m not catering to it, I’m a speak to the brotha and that’s what I did.

HHDX: You gotta hold ya own.

AZ: That’s right.

HHDX: Now when you and Nas gonna do a duo album, cause the streets would love that?

AZ: Nas is a busy-man. Whenever Nas is ready I’m here. I'd like to let everybody know AZ is always here and the door is always open. When Nas get his shit together or feel like he’s be able to do it I’m here.

HHDX: Because everybody was wondering if ya’ll still cool though, but I figured ya’ll was.

AZ: Yeah it ain’t no bad-blood it just that we grown and we got different zones, that’s all it is.

HHDX: So you have an opinion on his move to Def Jam?

AZ: I mean hopefully, like everybody else, I’m a wait and see the outcome.

HHDX: Now back to the album, what made you title it The Format?

AZ: With me doing a bunch of songs and being down for so long I wanted to give up and coming brothas the format to staying alive. Just doing what you do, it’s just like I have the format to solve the problem and that’s it.

HHDX: Do you think hip-hop is dead right now?

AZ: Never! Hip-hop has no beginning so it can’t have no ending. Hip-hop is just a way of life. It’s our way of life and that’s all it is. Continued on page 4 »