As it is with every music genre you always had an artist that was accepted musically by the fans, but always came short as far as mainstream and commercial success. The dude that kicks mad knowledge to hip-hop fiends is the man AZ The Visualiza. As we all know, AZ first came known in the game with his appearance and raw verse on his boy Nas’ classic album Illmatic on that banger “Life’s A Bitch”.  While the career of AZ was one of those here and there situations as far as labels he still survived in the game to drop decent albums like Do or Die, 9 Lives and Aziatic. As you know the hottest Hip-Hop site HHDX.com doing what we do, we always catch up with cats to see what’s really good.

So what’s been good with AZ lately as far ass this crazy-ass music business? I guess you are already assuming he’s back in the game getting ready to release his new album The Format, but there is more to an artist's life than album details. HHDX.com caught up with AZ The Visualiza and got some raw facts as far as his vision in this rap game. AZ keeps it real on topics like ;if money really mattered to him in this game, the details under his new album The Format, what he has to say about 50 Cent and the current state of hip-hop today. AZ lets you know too about his opinion on Nas’s move to Def Jam and if it is possible if they will give the streets that duo album we been waiting for. Does AZ feel he’s going to be honored as a hip-hop legend one day? It’s only one way to find out, so read below.

HHDX: So AZ what’s been good with you since you dropped A.W.O.L.?

AZ: Man, I just been tryna stay up and be cool. I been the same-- doing shows and recording, so now I got this new album coming out and I’m here again.

HHDX: How you feel to be one of the best to come in the game, but lacked commercial success as far as sales?

AZ: I mean it’s all good and I just feel I got a part to play. I mean I know who I am and I’m comfortable with my skin and this is just part of my plan right now until further notice.

HHDX: So what matters to you most; the music or the money?

AZ: You know with money you need to live, but with the music I got love for the game for real. I do it for the people that ain’t never coming home and for the people that’s never coming back period. Love is there over the money. We all need money to live, but I feel financially I’m cool with it right now.

HHDX: That shows my man is doing it for the love.

AZ: Yes sir.

HHDX: Cause it’s a lot of garbage out right now.

AZ: [Laughs], Ok.

HHDX: So what’s it like with you in your career going label to label, what’s that experience like?

AZ: I mean that’s the story of my life. I don’t think a lot of other artists can do it, but the fact that a lot of dudes is looking for me I’m cool with it at the end of the day. There were no doors that ever shut in my face and I never been dropped from a label. Everything I did was on the strength of me doing it and trying to make my music situation better.

HHDX: So you cool with Koch right now?

AZ: I mean it’s a new world for me, I’m trying it. A.W.O.L. did pretty good there, I’m not mad it, it’s still rolling and going. We gonna add this (new album) to it and see what it’s gonna do. I’ll tell you next year around this time when I’m dropping the next album how I feel [laughs].

HHDX: So what kind of deal you got with Koch so far?

AZ: I have an independent deal where I just make the music and they distribute it.

HHDX: So what’s good with this new album The Format?

AZ: Aw man, it’s real serious right now. The Format is AZ to the tenth power once again and for my fans I definitely didn’t let ya’ll down. I got graded for talent just like my other craft. At the end of the day I get graded for talent so with this album here I got it done. On this album you got M.O.P., that’s Brooklyn all day and everyday. I got Jha Jha from dipset, my artist Fresh on it and that’s the way to go.

HHDX: No doubt, so you feel it’s your best work to date?

AZ: Oh yeah, all day everyday, I always step it up.

HHDX: So what’s gonna make The Format different from the last album?

AZ: I mean everything comes with talent as at the end of the day I stepped it up. Verbally I just stepped it up. It’s like when you buy a vehicle and you got the 06 out then in two more months the 07 come out, so you have to step it up, cause it has a new feature in it. That’s like my poetry it’s a new feature in it on every trip.

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.

HHDX: So what’s your opinion on the music out today?

AZ: I mean it is what it is. Right now it’s a bunch of dance and party music, but that’s what the era consist of right now.

HHDX: Right, I guess that’s part of the hip-hop era going from this stage to that stage.

AZ: That’s all it is.

HHDX: What you think of the VH1 “Hip-hop honors”, do you see yourself being honored one day?

AZ: Of course man. I keep it artistic 100%, it wont’ be called hip-hop honors the one year I’ll be honored.

HHDX: Thanks AZ for showing www.hiphopdx.com some love, anything to say to the fans and readers with any shout-outs?

AZ: AZ is back and he never left. November 7th The Format is dropping so cop it.

HHDX: No doubt AZ peace!

AZ: Peace brotha!