AZ

Mixtape Monday Video: Clipse, AZ & More

21 Jul 2008 08:29:00 EDT

Plus: Greg Street wants to see who rules the turntables in a DJ battle with Jermaine Dupri.
By

DJ Absolut and AZ
Photo: MTV News

Related Artists

AZ
Clipse

Clipse Have Their Eyes On Kanye West For Next LP; Jermaine Dupri Isn't Up For DJ Battle: Mixtape Monday

21 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EDT

Plus: AZ inspired by Nas on new tape; 8Ball & MJG team up with old friend T.I.
By Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Rahman Dukes and Joseph Patel

Pusha-T of the Clipse performs at Columbia University on Sept. 1, 2007
Photo: Steven Roberts

Artist and DJ: AZ and DJ Absolut Representing: Brooklyn and Queens Mixtape: N4L

411: It's hotter than the devil's dirty drawers on Brooklyn's Coney Island boardwalk, but AZ is taking his mind off the heat by laughing at a guy backflipping off the pier into the sand and sharing stories from his youth when he used to come to the legendary spot. "This was our [Six Flags] Great Adventure," AZ said with a smile as he strolled past Nathan's Hot Dogs. AZ, one of the most respected wordsmiths of the past decade, has found his second, maybe even third wind. Any talk of retirement is laughed at now. He wants to do his thing for many more albums — and hopefully at least one of those LPs will be with Nas. Hey, you make one of the most stirring duets in hip-hop history ("Life's a Bitch"), you're bound to be forever bonded in the minds of the fans no matter how great your individual accomplishments. After all these years, people are still asking for a Nas and AZ album. The project isn't coming anytime soon, but AZ was partly inspired by his "homie's" Untitled LP to drop the mixtape N4L (or N---as 4 Life). DJ Absolute came onboard to lend A his ear and supply some beats. "I said this is the closest thing that I can give the fans to me and him doing an album," AZ said of how his mixtape relates to Nas' album concept. "I'm doing a concept album that is neck and neck with what he's doing. So you know we could put 'em together. "I also came up with [the title] because I felt like being a n---a, you get rich, you get that master's degree, that Ph.D. — you still a n---a in some people's eyes. So we all n---as for life, regardless of the progress we make in life. We took that and ran with it. On top of that, the influences from N.W.A and how they put it together, they just spoke their minds. I just felt like I wanted to vent." "Original material for real," DJ Absolut said. "Original music, production — it's a good look. Flight Runner production, beats are serious, lyrics are serious, it's a classic right there, for real." After years on the indie scene, A told us he's looking to go back on a major label and make more records for years to come. "Listen: I ain't going nowhere," the Visualizer declared. "I'm here. I'm just trying to put as much music out and stay as relevant as possible. I'm looking for a home now. Once I find the right home, I'm back working. But for now, we got a mixtape August 5th, and I'm doing a soundtrack for a movie I'm executive-producing and starring in called 'Silent Wars.' That should be out like November sometime." Joints To Check For » "Knowledge Freedom." "That's one of the joints where I just vented," AZ described. "Knowledge is definitely freedom. But I spoke to you about the language of my peoples, and how we get down, how we live. I'm trying to speak to my peoples and get the point across in that joint." » "The Secret." "I did that one because I brought my man Charlie Rock to the table," the Brooklyn native described. "He's fresh off the press, and he's serious with it. He's a dart-thrower, and my man Raekwon — I ain't really collab with my man Rae in a while, and that was a good look. We was just sparring. It's even more iller, because we more advanced," he added about working with the Chef now as opposed to a decade ago. "We know we're not just floating around wild. We got a target. Just keeping hip-hop alive right now, that's what it is." » "Runaway Slave." "To me, it's a record," the former Firm member said, "but in reality, it was a slave's life. I just basically put it in poetic form, and it's like a theatrical musical thing. I mean at the end of the day, I spoke from the bottom of my heart in the song, and the music and the lyrics coincide so much you will feel it when you hear it. It's one of those records that's felt and then the sound effects I put in the back and all of that ... I just made a visual with the lyrical." Don't Sleep: Other Notable Selections This Week » DJ E-V - Bitch I'm From Cleveland
» The Empire , Lil Wayne and Kanye West - From Another Planet (Drought Is Over Special Edition)
» Hell Rell - Top Gunna (The Ruga Edition)
» TearDropz - Dis Iz Y Dis CD Betta Den Dat 1
» Team 20/20 - Rebel Music 'Hood's Heavy Rotation: Bubbling Below The Radar » Chamillionaire - "Put On" freestyle
» Nas - "Proclamation (N---a Hatred)"
» R. Kelly - "Skin"
» Styles P (featuring Junior Reid) - "Invasion"
» T.I. - "Whatever You Like"
» Wale (featuring Young Chris) - "Whole Time" Celebrity Faves "Pimp haaarrrrd," grind harder. 8Ball & MJG are coming back with another group LP later this year. The record will be released via a joint venture between the Memphis duo's own label (it's so new, the label isn't named yet) and, of course, T.I.'s Grand Hustle imprint. The King of the South recently announced the signing. MJG, who is about to release his next solo LP, This Might Be the Day, told the Mixtape Monday family that officially aligning with Tip is just working with family. "It's cool, 360 [degrees]," MJG described. "We been knowing Tip since he was in his teens running around the studio, so it's all good. We been riding with him and collaborating with him since he first blew up on the mic." The Streets Is Talking: News & Notes From The Underground The Clipse's Re-Up Gang LP is done. August 5 is the release date. Nobody's sitting on their hands, though. Pusha T says he and brother Malice are working with a gang of producers on their third duo LP. Kanye West is a name the brothers have their eyes on. Of course, Pharrell Williams has already been in the lab with the group. "We're recording the Clipse album right now," Pusha told us last week in New York on the set of N.E.R.D.'s "Everybody Nose" remix video. Kanye and Lupe Fiasco were also present. "[We're] working on 'Till the Casket Drops, the third album. That drops this winter. "For everybody who don't know, we're putting out The Clipse Presents: The Re-Up Gang through Koch [Records]. That's the Re-Up Gang album, of course," Pusha added. "You'll love it, enjoy it. First single off there is 'Fast Life.' 'Fast Life' is just a celebration of the high life. A congratulations to all those who are still making it and living life to the fullest in this hard world that we're living in." His older brother, the lyrical menace Malice, simply described the record as "summertime fun with Scott Storch." Scotty produced the song. Meanwhile, the Clipse's good friend Fam-Lay — a fellow VA native — is working on his next mixtape, Dirty Music. The first track we've heard is called "War Music." " 'War Music' is actually a sample from a song called 'Fever' that's on the 'Last King of Scotland' [soundtrack]," Fam said. "My man Shay [Haley] from N.E.R.D. used to play it all the time, and me and him would just be vibing off it. The beat is so crazy. I was like, 'I'mma off of that joint,' and I did a freestyle on it called 'War Music,' which is coming out on my mixtape Dirty Music. [The tape] is a collection of afro-funk, afro-beats. It was something funny to do. I'm doing the whole mixtape like that." ... Over the years, Jermaine Dupri and Atlanta DJ Greg Street seemed to b

Related Videos

Mixtape Monday Video: Clipse, AZ & More

Related Artists

You Told Us: Your Reactions To The Grammy Nominations

08 Jan 2003 20:02:00 EST

Readers share their feelings on who was honored, who was snubbed.
By Joe D'Angelo

Avril Lavigne, John Mayer, and Nelly at the 2003 Grammy nominations
Photo: MTV News

When nominations for the 45th annual Grammy Awards were announced Tuesday morning, reactions ranged from sincere congratulations to "What were they thinking?" (Click here for the list of nominees.) Few readers writing to MTVNews.com's You Tell Us forum had sour sentiments about demure Norah Jones, the jazz-influenced singer/pianist who's got a chance to sweep the four biggest categories — Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and Best New Artist (see "Eminem, Avril Lavigne, Nelly, Norah Jones Nab Most Grammy Noms"). Jones is also among the eight artists who garnered five nominations. (Click for photos of this year's Grammy nominees.) "I'm sooo happy for [Norah Jones]," wrote 18-year-old Lexi, from Seattle. "I know many people haven't heard her music, but those who have know how great it is. Big ups to the critics for giving this girl the credit she deserves." Jones' Come Away With Me faces stiff competition from The Rising, Bruce Springsteen's return to form, and, to a lesser extent, The Eminem Show. Although the mainstream seems to have embraced the volatile rapper, with hardly a protest over his third major-label album or his fictionalized biopic "8 Mile," the Grammys might not be ready to bestow such a prestigious honor to a man who had a hit with a song that talks about killing the mother of his child and stuffing her in a trunk. Then again, Eminem already has five golden gramophones in his trophy case (though none in the big four categories), and the Recording Academy did grant an Album of the Year Grammy to Steely Dan in 2001, for Two Against Nature, which featured the song "Cousin Dupree," about incest. But old guards like Donald Fagen and Walter Becker have always had Grammy odds in their favor, which is why Springsteen stands such a good shot. And even if The Eminem Show doesn't win for Album of the Year and "Without Me" doesn't lay claim to Record of the Year, Eminem is likely to make good on at least one of his other three nominations. While Jones stands as the artist with the smallest presence at radio compared with fellow new-artist nominees R&B songbird Ashanti, singer/songwriter Michelle Branch, sensitive guy John Mayer and pop-rocker Avril Lavigne, most of you think the latter stands as her fiercest competition. "I think Avril Lavigne definitely deserves Best New Artist," wrote 14-year-old Ashley of Thief River Falls, Minnesota. "She's worked so hard and accomplished so much this year." "There is no doubt that Avril Lavigne should win Best New Artist," echoed 14-year-old Danielle, from Somerset, New Jersey. "She writes her own music, had three top 40 songs in 2002, sold over 4 million copies of her debut, Let Go, and hates Britney Spears. What more could you want in a Best New Artist?" While statistics may garner gold records, they don't necessarily translate to a Grammy. Awards are (theoretically) doled out to those who demonstrate genuine artistry in their work. And that's Avril Lavigne, isn't it? "Avril has no business being nominated for as much as she was," disagreed 19-year-old Andrea. "As far as music and creativity go, Britney is more creative — and you know that's a stretch, especially since Britney is nothing but manufactured bubble gum. Avril may have had something going with her and her ties but let's face it, MTV, that's all she has had." After yesterday's announcement of the nominations, Lavigne has a lot more attached to her, namely a monumental mistake when she mispronounced David Bowie's last name. When reading the list of artists up for the Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, she mispronounced Bowie as "bow-wie" (rhymes with oh, wowee!). An unnerving hush immediately enveloped Madison Square Garden. "Am I the only person who realizes what a poser Avril Lavigne is?" queried 22-year-old Kim, from Denver. "First of all, she botched the pronunciation of David Bowie, one of the most influential musicians of our time. ... Does Avril know anything about music? ... My point is, although everyone seems to be touting Avril Lavigne as some new prodigy, the fact is that she is not a true musician or artist and is just as fake and untalented as Britney Spears." And here we thought Avril was the anti-Britney. While Mayer's the only guy among the gals in the Best New Artist pack, his fans warn not to count him out just because he's outnumbered. "John Mayer deserves to win the Grammy for Best New Artist," declared 18-year-old Tiffany Johnson, from Austin, Texas. "He is just on a different level from the rest of the nominees. The guy is brilliant." Nelly, who's up for Album of the Year, Best Male Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Album honors, among others, is feeling the brunt of haters. For the nearly 5 million copies of Nellyville sold, the St. Louis rapper seems to have just as many, if not more, detractors. "I want to know what the Grammy folks see in Nelly," demanded 19-year-old Jason Curtis of Seattle. "Everyone is hypnotized by his so-called 'skills,' which are by no means good. As far as I'm concerned, Nelly doesn't deserve a Grammy." It wasn't all trash talk directed at the St. Louis rapper, however. Many have their fingers crossed that the Band-Aid bearing MC will leave with even more gold than he came in with. "I'm really anticipating seeing Nelly take home the Grammy for best album," wrote 14-year-old Linzi, from Sandusky, Michigan. "I mean, his music is totally hot, and I'm pretty sure that I don't know anyone who isn't into Nelly." Linzi, meet 21-year-old James, from New Haven, Connecticut. "It is clear once again that the awards honor what is popular, not what is good," James began. "Nelly has sunk so far down in the talent pool that he's left rapping about sneakers and some sort of heat wave that has apparently swept Nellyville. Talk about meaningless music. Seriously, if it's that hot in 'herre,' then drink a glass of water. Don't make a freakin' song about it." Fellow hip-hopper Petey Pablo, up for Best Rap Album with Diary of a Sinner: 1st Entry, faced some harsh reactions, with fellow nominee Mystikal also catching some heat. "I am very upset to see that Pete Pablo has been nominated for Best Rap Album," expressed 25-year-old Curtis, from Tallahassee, Florida. "Also, Mystikal's Tarantula album was very disappointing. How come someone like Trick Daddy or Cee-Lo never gets nominated? He is pure trash, and I understand why people like Jay-Z protest the Grammys. If we want to make it mainstream for all these old white people, let's nominate Will Smith. Even though his album sold probably 200 copies, he does not curse." Such outrage over those who were nominated couldn't rival the furor over those who were left out: uber-producers the Neptunes and anyone from the neo-garage school, such as the Hives, the Vines, the Strokes or the White Stripes. "How did Dr. Dre get nominated in the Producer of the Year category, while the Neptunes were ignored?" wondered Venni, 18, from Blacksburg, Virginia. "Dre didn't do anything in 2002. Every single song on the radio was produced by the Neptunes." OK, Venni may be exaggerating a bit, though Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo are responsible for Justin Timberlake's "Like I Love You," Nelly's "Hot in Herre" and Mystikal's "Bouncin' Back (Bumpin' Me Against the Wall)," all of which are Grammy-nominated. "I'm surprised the new 'the' bands didn't get major nods," typed an aghast CJ, 18, from Newmarket, New Hampshire. "I'm sad that the White Stripes were shafted, when overrated Avril Lavigne gets all the credit. Well, the Grammys are pretty lame either way." If the nominations aroused such fervent feelings in these folks, they'd better be prepared for the shock of February 23. While some surprises can be expected with the nods, utter jaw-droppers like the over-the-hill Jethro Tull winning for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance in 1988 are unmatched. Stay tuned and stay calm. For a look back at previous big Grammy winners, red carpet photos and much more, visit our Grammy News Archive. For more Grammy info, photos, games, videos and more, click here.

Related Artists

AZ Playing Caesar In Flick, Hopes To Reteam With Nas, Foxy Brown

01 Aug 2002 07:52:00 EDT

Brooklyn MC portrays drug kingpin in film that also stars Ray J, Maia Campbell.
By Shaheem Reid

AZ on the set of his video
Photo: Scott Gries / ImageDirect

In his current video for "I'm Back," AZ borrows the plot from Denzel Washington's "Training Day," where a cop teaches his young partner the ropes. On Tuesday the Brooklyn native likened his next project to a "Training Day" — of sorts — for criminals. "I'm doing this movie with Ray J, Maia Campbell, Chico DeBarge and Lisa Raye," AZ said yesterday from the Detroit set of "Caesar." The rapper stars as a drug kingpin in the film. "It's some gangsta sh--. Me being Caesar, being the head of the film, I'm trying to give the lifestyle up. Ray J, being my little cousin [in the movie], he wants to get in the game. I'm giving him the torch, let him carry the name on. I'm also letting him know it's all kinds of sh-- in the game. I'm putting him through all types of street tests. He saw me in his younger years while I was doing my thing, now that he's older, he's trying to follow in my footsteps." The film is already two weeks into a scheduled six-week shoot, and AZ said that aside from his attempts to get some scenes between the sheets with his movie love interest Lisa Raye, there's been a lot of wheelin' and dealin' when the cameras stop rolling. "Love is love, everybody is politicking and vibing," he said of the set. "After we finish the movie, we all gonna lock in for the soundtrack." Two people AZ is looking forward to collaborating with in the future is Nas and Foxy Brown. The trio, who made one album along with rapper Nature under the name the Firm, were supposed to reunite onstage during New York radio station Hot 97's Summer Jam concert this year, but due to Nas' no-show, everything went kaput (see "Nas A No-Show At Summer Jam, Denies Planned Mock Lynching Of Jay-Z"). "I swear, I don't know," AZ said, seemingly growing weary at the question, about the trio rejoining for a follow-up to their 1997 album. "I don't even know. I ain't even gonna lie. It's up in the air like a muthaf---er, but I'm here for it. Everybody is definitely politicking right now so it can still become a reality." As for the AZ and Nas duet LP, the former Visualizer hints that project is likely to happen first. "That's still there too," he said. "With all the chaos that's been going down, we had to fall back a minute. Hopefully we can keep it on schedule and start by the end of the year." Don't look for AZ to be starting any projects with Nas' on-wax nemesis Jay-Z or any members of the Roc-A-Fella family anytime soon. Despite the chatter on the rumor mill, AZ says he's not in any negotiations to sign to Roc-A-Fella Records. "Nah, I ain't going to do that," he said. "I am trying to get the label deal for [my company] Quiet Money."

Related Artists

For The Record: Quick News On Eminem, Moby, AZ, Kittie, Coldplay, Mos Def & More

29 May 2002 16:45:00 EDT

By MTV News staff report

Eminem 2002 interview still pointing
Photo: MTV News

He's got the #1 album in the country (again), but Eminem hasn't forgotten where he came from. Tuesday night at a party to celebrate the release of The Eminem Show, Em was far from acting Shady as he cooled out at New York club Remedy with members of his current rap clique D12 and the crew of MCs he ran with when he first started out, the Outsidaz. ... A few blocks downtown at Joe's Pub, rapper AZ chose not to make his advertised one-night foray into DJing at his album release party — even actor Billy Bob Thornton stuck around for about an hour to peep AZ's skills on the wheels of steel, but the fiesta's main attraction was fashionably late. Actors Marcus Chong (Tank from "The Matrix") and muMs (Poet from "Oz") did stick around, however, to chill with the Brooklyn wordsmith. ... Moby's collaboration with New Order on "New Dawn Fades" will be included on the "24 Hour Party People" soundtrack, due July 30. The Clash, the Sex Pistols, the Buzzcocks and Happy Mondays also have tracks on the album, which features several songs from New Order and Joy Division. ... Mos Def, the Roots featuring Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch and DJ Quik have contributed new material to the third volume of Rawkus Records' Soundbombing compilation, due June 4. Cipha Sounds and Mr. Choc mixed the album, which also features Q-Tip and the Beatnuts. ... Ex-Kittie guitarist Fallon Bowman is working on a new, one-woman project called Amphibious Assault, which she had conceived while still with her former bandmates, according to the AA Web site (www.spastica.net/aa/). Although the music has yet to be posted on the site, Bowman promises "no death metal growls and grinding guitars" this time out. ... Coldplay singer Chris Martin will appear on "Gold in Them Hills" from Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith's next album, Cobblestone Runway, due in September. Coldplay's second LP, A Rush of Blood to the Head, is due August 27. ... Twenty-two previously unreleased tracks will be featured on Jan Hammer's Miami Vice, The Complete Collection along with all 20 of his compositions available on various "Miami Vice" albums. The double-disc collection, due July 23, will include "Miami Vice Theme," the only instrumental TV theme to hit #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 singles chart. ... Coal Chamber and American Head Charge will hit the road for nine dates beginning June 15 in Tucson, Arizona, and ending June 26 in Houston. Medication, Whitfield Crane's new band, will also be on the bill. ... Michael Jackson will appear in a non-singing capacity at a June 14 charity benefit organized by illusionist David Blaine in Exeter, England, according to the BBC. He'll deliver a brief speech at the event, which will benefit the charities Children With Aids and Support for Africa. ... Pitchshifter guitarist Jim Davies will hit the road with the Prodigy during the group's upcoming European festival shows. But Davies insists his participation won't interfere with his role in Pitchshifter, which remains his main priority. ... Biohazard have replaced guitarist Leo Curley with Carmine Vincent. Vincent was a roadie for the band, and his former group, Nucleus, supported Biohazard during a 2000 European tour. ... 05.29.02 Leggo my egos, says Def Jam head honcho Lyor Cohen — rumors that P. Diddy was wooing Foxy Brown to Bad Boy will remain just that, as Foxy has resigned with Def Jam and negotiated an Ill Na Na Entertainment label deal with the Universal Music Group in the process. The newly formed label is to be run by the rapper's brother-turned-CEO, Gavin "Pretty Boy" Marchand. ... Lil' Romeo's second album, Game Time, has been pushed back from its June 4 due date to July 16. That leaves Romeo with a little bit more time for pre-Game rituals, such as his radio Disney promo tour, and preparing for his post-Game campaign with McDonald's to push their Mighty Kids Meals, which begins September 13. ... Mainstream country music legend Dolly Parton knows all that glitters is gold, and now she's buying the "Stairway to Heaven." Parton covered the Led Zeppelin classic for her upcoming record, Halos & Horns, receiving both Jimmy Page's and Robert Plant's blessings (though she took some liberties with the lyrics). ... The Neptunes have signed Minneapolis funk band Spymob as the first act on their on Star Trak Entertainment venture with Arista Records. Spymob are opening for N.E.R.D. and performing as their backup band on a three-week tour that kicked off Thursday in Los Angeles and crosses the country before wrapping up back there June 15. ... While everyone keeps wondering if his film "House of 1,000 Corpses" will ever see the light of day, Rob Zombie's creepy video for Black Label Society's "Demise of Sanity" should soon be coming to a video outlet near you. Zombie is scheduled to shoot the clip on June 24 at a Los Angeles slaughterhouse. ... British pop rock foursome Gene will release their first Stateside album since 1997's Drawn to the Deep End on the new Artist Direct imprint iMusic in late summer. Libertine, which received rave reviews when it was released in the U.K. last fall, will feature four new tracks and will be promoted with a U.S. tour. ... Fatboy Slim will stage another free beachside concert in his hometown of Brighton, England on July 13. Before Big Beach Boutique # 2, which will also feature John Digweed, Fatboy will be the official DJ at the World Cup soccer tournament in Japan in early June and will spin at a variety of events. ... Detroit rappers Slum Village will release their second album, Trinity, on July 30. The record finds acclaimed producer Jay Dee taking more of a back seat role to lyricists Baatin and T3. ... Tony Bono, the bassist for '80s thrash metal band Whiplash, died early Saturday morning from an apparent heart attack. He was 38. ... Hulking singer Henry Rollins has enlisted what he deems an "amazing crew of people" to sing various songs by his former band, Black Flag, for a West Memphis Three benefit album. The LP, which will feature the Rollins Band playing backup, should see release in November ... Sense Field guitarist Rodney Sellars was forced to withdraw from his band's North American tour, which continues through June 14, after his four-year-old daughter, Leilani, and her mother were involved in a car accident on May 12 that left the girl in a coma. She's in critical but stable condition and is expected to require long-term medical care, for which a fund as been established to help the family with costs. Further information is available on the band's Web site (www.sensefield.com), and donations can be sent to Leilani Gutierrez c/o Globe Packaging, 179 E. 17th St., Box 400, Costa Mesa, California, 92627.

Related Artists

AZ Shoots Video And Short Film Inspired By 'Training Day'

13 May 2002 18:50:00 EDT

Rapper plays mentor to hip-hop rookie in clip for 'I'm Back.'
By Shaheem Reid

AZ, on the set of his new video,
Photo: Scott Gries / ImageDirect

NEW YORK — The rules on the set of AZ's still-untitled short film Sunday night were pretty simple. If you were one of the thong-wearing girls who walked in stiltlike high heels (talk about professional, one of the ladies even Crip-walked in her boots during downtime), you'd better be backing that thang up and proving to everybody that they ain't ready for your jelly. If you were one of the gun-toting guys participating in the film's climactic shootout, no aiming at anybody's head and no fooling around. "There is no reason why any gun should be pointed at anybody," the project's choreographer told the actors as they listened intently at the Carousel, a lower Manhattan strip club. Nobody wanted a replay of the tragic movie-set death of Brandon Lee, who was shot during a stunt in 1993. "You should assume all guns are loaded," the choreographer continued, standing next to a pole the exotic dancers use to encourage dollar throwing. Of course the guns — which ranged from 9 mm Glocks to Uzis — were only loaded with blanks, but a misfire at close enough range could still be deadly. Anybody within earshot of the film's co-director, Motown CEO Kedar Massenburg, could hear his equally lethal words. This may be AZ's starring vehicle, but it's Massenburg's baby. It was his idea to have Justin "DJ Jus" Spaulding (the smart-mouthed kid in Alicia Keys' "A Woman's Worth" and "How Come You Don't Call Me") playing the Ethan Hawke to AZ's Denzel Washington and taking off of "Training Day." The story, like the movie, is pretty complex. Spaulding wants to make it in the music industry as a rapper. AZ is his trainer, driving around in a 1971 Monte Carlo, rapping to his song "I'm Back" (the first single from Aziatic, due June 11) and showing him the ropes in less than 24 hours. The day of cruising ends up at the Carousel. When AZ and his partner walk into the club, two undercover cops suddenly roll up on them. Both parties draw firearms and scare the stuffing out of the dancers and patrons. The crew had gone through at least five takes in which somebody pulled out too fast or a gun got stuck in somebody's jeans or somebody laughed before AZ finally let out an enthusiastic "Yeah!" thinking they had gotten it right. "That's not it," Massenburg screamed, bursting everyone's bubble. "That's not the shot." A few do-overs later, everybody was happy except for a couple of strippers engaged in a cat fight. The video for "I'm Back" is slated to drop in a couple of weeks, according to AZ's spokesperson. The short film will be released in July. Besides Aziatic, the man who used to refer to himself as the Visualizer is getting ready to team with Nas. The two plan to record a duet album later this year.

Related Artists

AZ Planning Next Solo LP, Group Effort With Nas

26 Mar 2002 07:54:00 EST

Duet with Nas already in can for 9 Lives follow-up.
By Shaheem Reid

Nas and AZ in Firm Biz video
Photo: Sony

Nobody knows it more than AZ — it's time to deliver the masterpiece that will generate platinum sales to go with its critical acclaim. And before he can get around to recording another group effort — he's talking to Nas, one of his partners in the Firm, about doing that now — AZ wants to step up to the plate with his fourth solo LP. "Once again, they let me in the game," the Brooklyn native said earlier this month of the follow-up to his last album, 9 Lives. "This album means a lot to me. I'm hoping it does what it's supposed to do. This one, to me, it's my best album. You really get to know AZ." Back in 1994, when we were initially introduced to AZ, "the Visualiza," on Nas' "Life's a Bitch," he seemed destined to be the next great MC. His words embodied the picture-painting insight of Nas, and he flowed with that Brooklyn swagger Jay-Z, who didn't emerge until two years later, has personified. But AZ's career has been hampered by label problems, bootlegging, friction with his crew and at times admittedly being unfocused when it comes to making music (see "AZ Returns In May With Nine Lives"). Now, AZ says he's clearheaded, has all bases covered and is gearing to drop his next album, hopefully this June. "I think I really hit my apex," he said. "I think I'm gonna self-title the album and call it AZaddict." AZ is almost at the halfway point of recording and has been in the lab with producers such as DJ Premier and Bink (Mr Cheeks' "Lights, Camera, Action"). He hopes to line up Jill Scott for a guest spot and has already recorded another duet with Nas. "We locked it through the whole song like that, just like we did on the last verse on ["The Flyest"] off his [Stillmatic] album," he said of the interchangeable wordplay he and Nas display on the still-untitled track. "The whole song, we're going back and forth. "The love was there," he added. "A lot of chemistry. He's got his way of doing things, I've got my way. When we're locked in, it's harmony. We're even looking forward to doing an album together at the end of this year." Nas echoed AZ's sentiments. "I'm a person that just likes to work no matter what status [the person is], and [AZ is] a brother of mine," he said. "We had a nice chemistry in the beginning, and that's somebody I'd like to see take it to where they gotta go. AZ is the type of person that wants to do it, but he's just gotta put super effort into it, and then he's there. If he shows me he really wants to do it, then I'm with [making an album with him]." Aside from the song with Nas, AZ said he's completed a track called "Each Day I Cry," where he raps about some of the supportive fan letters he gets, and another cut titled "I Just Wanna." "That's real emotional," he said. "That's the one I want Jill Scott on. It's saying, 'I wanna be here when people start recognizing me for what I'm worth.' I don't wanna die for people to go back to my track record and be like, 'A was really one of the top 10 [MCs].' "

Related Artists

AZ Returns In May With Nine Lives

30 Mar 2001 12:06:00 EST

By Shaheem Reid

Az, Foxy Brown, Nas
Photo: MTV News

As the first single from his new album, Nine Lives, indicates, AZ has had more than his share of "Problems." After setting the industry abuzz with his introspective street narrative on Nas' "Life's a Bitch" in 1994, the Brooklyn native gained ghetto celebrity status. His debut, Doe or Die, set him on the path for mainstream fame. He, Foxy Brown and Nas became the Firm, with the trio recording for Dr. Dre's then-new Aftermath label. Fans anticipated a hip-hop classic; while The Firm went platinum, the underworld-themed collection fell short of expectations. Complicating his woes, EMI - the label he was signed to as a solo artist - folded. He was absorbed by Virgin Records, and after several pushbacks of his second album, Pieces of a Man, the LP dropped in 1998 with little fanfare. Since then, the Firm has disbanded, rumors of beef between the collective have circulated and AZ has been virtually invisible. Now with Nine Lives scheduled to drop on May 22 via his Quiet Money Records label (released though Motown), AZ feels rejuvenated, and he says he's once again feeling the love of the streets. "I bounced back and put a smile on people's faces," AZ said, referring to the buzz generated by the bootleg S.O.S.A. (Save Our Streets AZ) that circulated last fall. "I was putting some things together, and it kind of got out there. That helped. People realized AZ is still on his job, that there was a void in the game." Nine Lives features four songs from the bootleg, including "Problems" and "Love Me." Making cameos on the LP are Joe, Amil, Beanie Sigel, Timbaland (via production) and Foxy Brown, whom AZ said he's remained friends with through the years. He also said the beef between himself and Nas has been exaggerated. "It ain't never been no friction between us," AZ said. "Everybody's gotta grow. When you're going through the game, you learn from experience. I was going through my own world. [Nas' music] was moving, so [he] had to move with it." The two have reconnected after being estranged for close to three years, and AZ said they'll record together. "We're grown men now," AZ said. As for the conversation that brought them back together, "Basically it was like, 'Cut the bullsh--,' " he recalled. "I know your situation, you know my situation. It ain't about no paper now. You sold millions of records; I'm still on the grind. You're at one side of the candle; I'm at the other. We're both burning at both ends.' " AZ also said he has no harsh feelings toward Dr. Dre, who expressed his disappointment in the Firm project several times on his Dr. Dre 2001. "I think he was showing love, to be honest," AZ said. "He was basically talking about the errors he went though. He was just giving his autobiography to the people. I built with Dre. He knows it's real on my end as far as being a man. He knows the talent is there, or else he wouldn't have messed with us in the first place." AZ, who also appears on Jon B.'s new album, is trying to line up releases from other artists for Quiet Money, and he recently shot the video for "Problems" in Brooklyn. His biggest project is putting the past behind him. "I feel bad that I didn't really grow to my greatest potential in the game and reflect what I should've reflected," AZ admitted. "My main thing now is to show the world I'm holding it down. This sh-- is like a new beginning. I'm bringing back the AZ people love, the AZ that people embraced. Right now I feel unstoppable."

Related Artists

AZ Speaks Out On Rules & Regulations, Influence Of Dr. Dre

20 Mar 1998 17:00:00 EST

Photo:

Coming off his success as part of the rap supergroup The Firm, Brooklyn rapper AZ felt it was time to get a little more serious with his new effort, "Pieces of a Man," due out April 7.

By drawing on sources ranging from the poetry of Langston Hughes to the block parties he attended as a kid, AZ says that his new album found him searching for a "higher expression of self" and exhibiting a "more lyrically inclined" side than on his 1995 debut, "Doe or Die."

That maturity came to a head in his collaboration with Rza of the Wu-Tang Clan on a new track called "The Birth," on which AZ admits that the duo were looking to discuss the need for a little order in an otherwise chaotic social situation.

"We were just trying to instill that back in the minds of the people," AZ said. "Like, you know, know, let's get some rules and regulations going on, man. Let's have some morals and principles, some laws, man." [800k QuickTime]

Other guest stars on "Man" include Firm bandmate Nas on "How Ya Livin'" and rapper Half-A-Mil, whose debut album AZ plans to release on his own label, Goldmine Records. But AZ doesn't want to limit himself to promoting just rap acts on Goldmine, and plans to diversify the label to include both R&B and rock groups.

As for the future, AZ claims that there is still plenty of tape left over from the "Man" sessions with Dr. Dre, whom AZ said was extremely influential to how he approached the sound of the new record.

"That West Coast vibe that he was bringing was new for me," AZ said, "Because Dre only works with important people in the game, and that just made me feel like I was an important person just by the fact that he had the time to do what he had to do with us." [500k QuickTime]

"That was live," AZ added, "and his music is inspirational, too. Cause he's got that, that funk that makes you get ill."

AZ will tour behind "Pieces of a Man" this summer.

Related Artists

AZ
Dr. Dre

Nas, Foxy, A-Z To Stand Firm

03 Sep 1997 14:00:00 EDT

Photo:

September 3 [14:00 EDT] -- They have already appeared on each others albums as a collective, but now it's time for Nas, Foxy Brown, and A-Z to release their first group effort.

The group, known as The Firm, will soon deliver its first single, "Firm Biz," which features the aforementioned rappers plus Nature (also a card-carrying Firm-member) as well as former En Vogue singer Dawn Robinson. The song, which was produced by L-E-S for Trackmasterz, samples Teena Marie's "Square Biz" and should come spilling out of radios any day now.

The Firm plans to shoot a video for the track this weekend in New York City with mega-director Hype Williams.

The album, which will be released on Dr. Dre's Aftermath label, was produced by Dre himself along with The Trackmasterz.

Speaking about how the Firm came to be, Foxy told the MTV Radio Network, "We did it kinda differently... Every other crew started out as a crew and broke up and became solo artists. We started as solo artists and then formed a crew. When we collaborate, it's all love."

Related Artists

AZ - The Come Up

13 Sep 2005 00:00:00 EDT

The Come Up

Artist: AZ
Label: Quiet Money/Fastlife Music
Director: Dan the Man/S.M. Godder
Album: The Birth of Swing