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Street Connfinement: What have you been up to until this point?
AZ: Man, I’m still studying the game itself as I went from the majors to the independent scene. I’m eight albums in not including the “Firm” or other street joints I did. I’m still studying the game cause it constantly switches up and it actually moves around so much because it’s growing. Me being from Brooklyn, New York I’m still affiliated with my people from day one and I’m just trying to do me until I expire.

Street Connfinement: Talk about your transition from your last CD “Format” to your current release “Undeniable”.
AZ: At the end of the day I’m from the streets so with the “Format” I was still in my street zone and with this CD “Undeniable” it’s more like grown conversation. When it’s all said and done I’m still trying to sketch my name in the legacy of Hip Hop.

Street Connfinement: Let’s talk about “Undeniable” as far as production, features and concepts.
AZ: The album is in stores now and for features I got my man Fame of M.O.P. whose under that DJ Premier umbrella, Knox from VA., my man Law Professor whose legendary with music, Street Music who did a lot of Murda Inc. when they were doing their thing and the album serious.

Street Connfinement: For those who aren’t too clear with your grind tell the reader’s about how you first got your start in the music industry.
AZ: “Do or Die” is what really set it off. Messing with Nasir which was never pre-mediatated to get on that album, I just did it because it was the last song and from there all the labels came knocking on my door. It was crazy cause I didn’t know anything about structuring songs let alone albums but I just went with the flow and from one album turned to two albums which turned to three to four and now I’m at eight. Even before the deal or the track I used to jot little poetry down here or there but still in the streets like anyone else at the age of eighteen. Rap was just a dream to me at that point so if it happened it did but if it didn’t then oh well. It was destined though cause at the end of the day everything just connected.

Street Connfinement: That’s what’s up. Talk about your relationship with Nas now and can we expect any future collaborations?
AZ: Me and homie don’t have any bad blood but at the moment he’s doing him and I’m doing me. If we come back to the table then it’ll happen but if not love is love.

Street Connfinement: Why do you feel in the Hip Hop game today it’s so hard for a lyricist such as yourself to get the recognition that they really deserve. Real talk, there’s a lot of watered down MC’s with watered down music that’s not requiring a heavy thought process getting a lot of shine while there’s true MC’s putting their all and not getting much shine.
AZ: I think the kids have a lot to do with it as the game has evolved around the kids and all they want to do is dance and have fun. The street element has been took and used so what can the people connect or relate to? When I was coming up my music was based around the street shi$ I was going through and my peers were living the same way so they were able to relate. Now though we have a lot of kids that want to sing and dance so that’s where the music is going and you can’t be mad at it or hate because it’s like a circle. I have a lot of people that are either dead or incarcerated but it’s like that street era is gone. We have a few lyricists still here doing what they do and if you make it through then you know how to survive through a drought.

Street Connfinement: What can we expect from you in the future so we’re in contact with that authentic sound?
AZ: I’m not going anywhere because I have a few gods to bring to the table like Star Kim, Young God my man Hannibull, Charlie Rock, and my girl Lola so we gonna keep it one hunded. Also there’s a lot of cats out here doing what they do like my man Papoose, Uncle Murda and a few others so we good. The music needs substance so hopefully everything will do a 360 and come right back. Also stay on the look out for this DVD I did titled “Envy”, some Detroit shi$ which didn’t surface yet alongside Ray J, Lisa Reye, Chico DeBarge, Mia Campbell. At the same time I’m getting ready to shoot my own independent movie getting ready to surface sometime mid summer titled “Silent War” but I don’t want to let any details slip because I’m still working on it.

Street Connfinement: Any advice for up and coming artists?
AZ: Stay true to yourself and that beefing shi$ ain’t about nothing. 50 did it and he dawged it out. That’s his thing so let that man do him. If you got talent then over time it’ll shine regardless. Keep some good people around you and let’s cut this bullshi$ out because back in the days when it was on some street shi$ and people beefed then it messed up the money. Other than that keep nothing but thinkers around you and you should be good money. “Undeniable” is in stores right now and it’s food for thought. It’s what ya’ll been missing and ya’ll know I don’t front. “Walk light but hit hard all day. So you ain’t got to front and ice grill if you real, ya dig?” Holla at ya boy!!