Customer Reviews

The Format

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In my mind, Brooklyn's AZ is a top five MC in hip hop at the moment. Album after album, AZ proves to be one of rap's most consistent artists, making awesome songs and albums to virtually no mainstream recognition for over ten years. From the classic debut "Doe or Die" to latter day greats like "Aziatic" and "A.W.O.L.", AZ has definitely established himself as a true talent. "The Format" furthers his legacy, yet another excellent LP that reigns among his best work. Only fourteen months removed from his last album, the excellent "A.W.O.L.", AZ's second release on his Quiet Money label is really enjoyable, with a balanced mix of hard lyrical songs with a few softer club tracks. Although it's fairly short, it's one of my favorite releases of 2006. He finally seems a little more content with his status in hip hop right now as an underground favorite, and he doesn't try so hard to make a mainstream hit as he has in the past. There are some nice collaborations with artists such as M.O.P. and Little Brother, which show what a great and respected artist he is. Production is also impressive, a lot of the beats are tough and fitting for AZ's lyrical depictions, and there is a lot of nice sampling and hooks throughout the LP. AZ furthers his legendary status with "The Format", a great album that is bound to be slept on by the majority.

The album leads off with the epic-sounding "I Am the Truth", AZ represents his character and legend over a great horn fanfare and tough beat. "Sit `Em Back Slow" is a nice collabo with hardcore veterans M.O.P., it uses a tasteful Rick James sample and the three MCs show some nice chemistry on this rough track. "Get High" is a pretty good song, AZ talks flashy over a decent beat, it's not one of the albums high points though. On "Make Me", AZ challenges others to "make me go away" with a well-produced backing. "Rise and Fall" is a definitely highlight, a collaboration with underground sensations Little Brother. It's a pretty conscious, hard-hitting track about the ups and downs of the industry and life. "Animal" uses a well known vocal sample for a chorus and a nice beat to make a memorable grimy song. On "Doing That", AZ collaborates with a Fergie-wannabe Jha Jha for a decent but kind of forgettable club song, it sounds like a few from "Aziatic". "This Is What I Do" is one of the best on the album, the production is really deep and so are the lyrics, he talks about what he's experienced. "The Format" is a classic track, laced with an awesome beat and hook courtesy of the legendary DJ Premier. AZ's flow and delivery are awesome, he really hits hard and this song is among the best singles of his career. I can't listen to this song enough at this point. "Vendetta" is another hard song, using a well-known horn fanfare for a nice touch. "Game of Life" is maybe my favorite song here though. He goes really deep down to discuss the struggles of life, how nobody wins living in the ghetto, but he tries to maintain a positive outlook, it's an emotional song. The vocal sample adds to the dramatic element. "Royal Salute" is a fitting outro to a great album, a response to a diss from 50 Cent.

I highly recommend "The Format", this album is a track or two away from being a classic and AZ's best. It's one of the best albums of 2006 and has a lot of really awesome tracks, AZ once again proves to be an awesome lyricist and one of the best rappers alive. If you've been sleeping on AZ until now, it's time to wake up and get "The Format", and longtime fans should enjoy this as much as any.

az continues putting out nothing but heat, and format is no exception. I would rate this better then last years AWOL which I rated a 4.5. Lyrically hes coming hard with the his flow and delivery and continues dropping dope verse after dope verse. The production is also pretty strong and complements Az nicely. Even the guest appearances are pretty strong for the most part, something that hurt AWOL. Out of the 13 tracks, I would rate 4 classics, 1 average, 1 good, and 7 near classics. Very strong album a definite buy 5 star classic

He does it again, dropping his 6th solo album and his 3rd classic (with "Doe or Die" and "Pieces of a Man", I'd give "AWOL" 4.5 stars and his other 2 albums 4 stars). Just 16 months after his last album he is back with a 13 song album. Of the 13 songs, 2 are classics, 1 is almost a classic, 3 are ok, the other 7 are good and mostly great songs. Guests aren't very heavy, rappin' on 5 songs and doing the hook on one other. Production is great especially for his style and flow. Emile does 4 songs, Fizzy Womack of M.O.P does 3, J Cardim does 2, DJ Premier, Little Brother, Statik Selektah, and Bob Perry all do 1 song. Definitely a top 5 or top 3 album so far of 2006 (some of the other high points this yr. so far -- Ghostface's "Fishscale", Pimp C's "Pimpalation, Lake & Cormega's "My Brother's Keeper", Method Man's "4:21... The Day After", South Central Cartel's "Random Violence", Bars & Hooks "Most Notorious", Raekwon's "DaVinci Code Mixtape" -- we still have The Game, Fat Joe, Nas, Jay-Z, Z-Ro, 2Pac, Clipse, and Styles coming in the last 7 weeks of this year though). A must have album for fans of real hip-hop not that radio and video garbage!!

#1 - 9 (good beat)
#2 - 9 (f/ M.O.P -- tight Rick James sample on the beat)
#3 - 9 (nice beat again)
#4 - 8.5 (f/ Fresh)
#5 - 10 (CLASSIC -- f/ Samson -- great deeper beat)
#6 - 7 (f/ Big Pooh & Phante of Little Brother)
#7 - 8
#8 - 7 (f/ Jha Jha -- nice beat but not for AZ's style)
#9 - 9 (deeper lyrics)
#10 - 10 (CLASSIC -- great beat as usual by DJ Premier)
#11 - 9.5 (f/ fresh -- great beat)
#12 - 7
#13 - 8.5 (nice 50 Cent dis)

Anthony Cruz -- Brownsville, Brooklyn, NY
Check all my reviews

I copped this album a couple of weeks after it hit stores. I was so eager to listen to it because everyone on here was saying how it was AZ's best album yet. Now although the album is definitely a good one, the reason why I gave it 4 out of 5 stars is primarily because of the production. Perhaps, this is attributed to the fact that AZ is running his own label now and is limited on resources or on a tighter budget.

Specifically, the beats are not as well crafted, sophisticated, and flavorful as A.W.O.L. For instance, I didn't find the Rick James sample all that impressive. It seemed a bit too simple. I was hoping to find more tracks with beats resembling "City of Gods", "Never Change", and "Bedtime Story" where there are more layers stacked on top of one another giving the track a fuller sound. Nevertheless, AZ still delivers that lyrical content and fluid style that is so impeccable its leading me to believe he is a better lyricist than his cohort Nasir.

In reference to "Royal Salute", I heard AZ in a radio interview saying how he doesn't want to play that Game with 50, but man...I'm sure all the hip hop heads out there that would love to see a lyrical monster like AZ just obliterate 50 in a battle.

In the future, I hope to see an AZ and Rakim collaboration!!!

(This CD is raw! This CD beat "Do or Die", "AZiatic", "Pieces of Man", "9 Lives", and "Final Call" senseless. This CD has tremendous replay value and the song "This Is What I Do" is an instant classic. The saddest thing about AZ is that he will never get the credit that he deserves. Lyrically, he demolished the top 30 MC's that are played on the radio ranging from the Ying Yang Twins to Lil Jon. He is representing Hip-Hop and hopefully this can be a revival of true Hip Hop.)

Although it would be infinitely outshone by his former collaborator Nas' high-profile "Hip-Hop Is Dead," AZ nonetheless dropped a gem on 'em in '06 with The Format. Finally opting to go the indie route, SOSA released this joint through his own Quiet Money Records imprint, and the consequent considerable lack of resources is evident. AZ should have his pick of the litter when it comes to production and guest appearances, yet fortunately, his MC magnificence carries this album when its other elements fail to perform to par.

Mr. Cruz kicks things off in triumphant fashion, gliding over soul samples and blaring horns from Fizzy Womack on "I Am the Truth." Unlike several so-called underrated MC's that have failed to match critical acclaim (or hype) with commercial success, AZ proclaims his regal status in rap lore in spite of shortcomings as far as sales are concerned. M.O.P. then drops by and gets hype with their fellow Brownsville, BK native for the certified banger "Sit 'Em Back Slow," with increasingly better performances from Lil' Fame, AZ & Billy Danze. AZ's ability to seamlessly mesh with the hardcore rap duo is a true testament to his awesome versatility and another boost for Brooklyn rap.

Moving along, AZ aptly changes the mood once again with the Emile-laced gangsta anthem "Get High", effortlessly running through a laundry list of commodities with considerable resale value in the hood. So far we have the makings of a classic LP, and that trend doesn't cease on "Make Me!", featuring Fresh, who proves he can hang with the Visualiza by nearly stealing the show by bullying the track and apologizing for it at the end. If he's what Quiet Money has to offer besides AZ, then I can certainly dig it. However, the subsequent "Games" suffers from a bland chorus by some dude named Samson, in spite of AZ's prominent rhymes denouncing player hate & declaring his successful pursuit of happiness in spite of it. With better production and much better vocalizing, this could have been AZ's "Why You Hate the Game" (cf. The Game - Doctor's Advocate).

"Rise & Fall" see's AZ collaborating with the rhyming portion of Little Brother, Phonte & Rapper Big Pooh, as the three underground MC's spit real talk concerning rap act gimmicks that keep shows like "Where Are They Now?" alive and kicking. I was never a fan of Pooh, and this track doesn't change that, but AZ & Phonte do good to entertain with retrospective raps that, in a perfect world of hip-hop, would inspire more sincerity in the art of rhyming (and more room for real MC's, but alas . . .). Next up comes "Animal," a track that was leaked several months before The Format dropped. AZ serves up some succulent imagery here, painting pictures of pistols popped, dimes dropped, merchandise exchanged and people that changed because of the shell shock of the streets. Mixtape stalwart Statik Selektah did a bang-up job on the beat, a simple production with high-pitched synths and a well-placed Biggie sample on the hook ("I been in this game for years, it made me an ANIMAL).

Well, half-way through the album, we have what could have been a classic, but with tracks like "Doing That!", AZ will have to settle for a commendable rating from me so far. Easily one of the forgettable tracks, Dipset's first lady Jha Jha lends some forgettable lyrics to a failed club-esque track, despite another mic blessing from AZ. Even when he seems out of his element on such a track, AZ still manages to deliver the goods with the ridiculous consistency of his lyrics & delivery. Quickly recovering from that slip-up, we find AZ once again proclaiming his status as rap OG on "This Is What I Do," coming through with the crack bars on a beat by J. Cardim. Most fans of NY underground/gangsta rap will tell you that AZ does what he does like few other can, as this notion is exhibited once again on the album's single/title track "The Format." Although I like this song less and less the more I hear it, and I actually find his collabo with DJ Premier from AWOL, "The Come Up," to be better, this is certainly no dud. AZ delivers with compelling, charismatic rhymes that decree his status as an MC up & coming rappers should model themselves after.

As the album draws to the close, we see another Quiet Money posse cut on "Vendetta," the album's B-Side with a beat by J. Cardim that too closely resembles Jadakiss' "It's Time I See You" for its own good. Once again, AZ & Fresh go gutter with gusto with Ralo lending street knowledge for some time after the rhyming is through. A pretty good track, but would've been much better suited with more rap and less talk. Possibly my favorite track follows in "Game of Life," a track leaked on a DJ Wreck mixtape years ago, but it's classic so who's complaining? Emile cooks up another beauty of a beat with catchy, sped-up samples and assertive keys that provide the perfect backdrop for AZ's tactfully true testimonies. I still can't decide which is better, the beat, his verses or the chorus, but I'm pretty confident that this is the best track from "The Format". Most people have praised the title track, but honestly, Premo has done better beats (e.g., Termanology's "Watch How It Go Down", a classic which was only a mixtape track) and AZ's flow is somewhat inconsistent on it, so I'm opting for "Game of Life". Finally, the album closes on something AZ has never been known to do, a (quasi) diss on "Royal Salute", the bonus track that finds the Visualiza crafting a response to 50 Cent's comment about him on "What If." Similar to his former comrade Nas' initial response, AZ avoids the full-frontal assault for a more reflective, sarcastic and laid-back answer to 50's question of "What if I put out bullsh** joints like AZ?" The dozen years veteran calmly comments on the gimmicks 50 resorts to in his soulless pursuit of SoundScan & Billboard numbers, informing him that "he could neva f*** wit him", thus advising him "not to f*** wit him."

So, despite an evidently smaller budget & a highly-desired-but-not-delivered collaboration with Nas, AZV still manages to deliver a pretty dope LP that should stand among the many albums dropped by rap's finest in the second half of '06 (beginning with Busta Rhymes and ending with Nas). However, in a culture seemingly obsessed with mass consumption, superficiality and insincerity, it's no wonder that few people other than those devoted fans who still purchase albums like this will ever be enlightened by "The Format" and it's sicker-than-your-average artist. Nevertheless, here's to you AZ, and DOWN WITH THE BULL**** THAT'S KILLING HIP-HOP!!!

I'm just gonna come out and say it: "The Format" is THE album of the year so far. And is arguably his best album since his debut Doe or Die.

The production is nearly flawless. The only beat I didn't absolutely love was "Doing That", one of two "commercial" joint from the album.

AZ has always been an elite lyricist and this album is no different. I had to rank this album over the Roots because AZ is a lot more charismatic MC than Black Thought. I rank this album ahead of Ghostface because it featured better production and was tightly compacted into 40 minutes of brilliance.

The entire album is flames but the joints I'm feeling right now are: Animal, This is What I Do, The Format, Game of Life & Sit Em Back Slow (that's half the album folks).

4.7/5.0 *I won't give it a 5.0 yet. It'll depend on how I feel about the album after a few months.

AZ will be lucky to even sell 100K, but this is THE album NY rap fans have been waiting for!!! Let's see Jay and Nas even come close to "The Format".

Man if you love Hip Hop then go cop this album. AZ is one of the best Mc's in the game his flow is nearly flawless. I bought that Jay-Z album and it kinda sucks so don't buy that, AWOL was hot and The Format is hotter every song is solid and the beats are truly magic........

Upon listening to the entire LP I got the same feeling I did when I heard the tremendous AZIATIC LP. AWOL was great, but this is much better in my opinion. The lyricism is on a higher level with this release. How can I not mention the perfectly orchestrated production that only a MC like AZ was made to rip. 10 more LP's to go? If so, I definitely will be riding this out to the end with him. A++
Peace!

AZ never fell off. His slick skills still remain. listen to the premiere track 'the format'