Equipped with a smooth flow and cadence in delivery — not to mention an intricate wordplay — Brooklyn veteran emcee AZ is by far one of the game’s most proficient lyricists.

More than a decade removed from introducing the world to his format on Nas’ seminal debut, Illmatic — regarded as one of the most memorable guest verses of all-time by many — the Visualiza continues to hone the same razor-edged lyrical sword that’s strengthened his fan base and garnered him critical acclaim throughout the years.

Despite never matching the commercial success of his debut’s (1995’s Doe Or Die) first single, “Sugar Hill,” Sosa has remained resilient, going on to release a string of praise-worthy work including 2002’s Aziatic, which earned him a Grammy nomination for the Nas-assisted “The Essence.”

Currently prepping the release of his forthcoming sequel Doe Or Die II, as well as reuniting with partner-in-rhyme Nas, who together are currently performing on the nationwide Rock the Bells tour, XXL spoke to AZ to discuss a number of things including the tour, his relationship with Nas, Doe Or Die II, and just what exactly happened with his “Hey AZ” record. —Ralph Bristout

XXL: How's the Rock the Bells tour going, man?

AZ: Ah man, beautiful. Beautiful look. I been there a couple times for just performing but, as far as this I'm doing Illmatic shit, that's crazy right there.

How's the experience performing the quintessential verse that jumpstarted your career?

For me it's just reflecting 'cause it's 17 years and it only feels like yesterday. It's like, yo, me and him never aged at the end of the day. It just feel crazy that he just doing the whole album, not saying that I was there for that whole album but, for a majority of that album I was there. So to see him spit it 17 years later, its incredible.

How's your personal relationship with Nas now? Everyone that's a fan was waiting for you two to link back up.

His career took off on a whole other level at the end of the day and dealing with a lot of things, it puts people in certain zones that they need to be in to progress and shit. I understood that he was doing what he had to do and it was like a new role for him and he had to stay focused.  I was over here trying to keep my thing alive, doing what I do and the independent thing [which] was a new thing for me because we both started off with majors and was used to that machine. Then I chose to go independent and that was a whole other monster itself. So, when I bumped back up with him, it was like we never loss a step because there wasn't no bad blood or malice involved. It was like everyone was growing. When you grow, even as brothers, certain people got different paths in life and they gotta handle things accordingly, so it was understood.

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A few weeks back you posted a pic on Twitter of you two in the studio together. How does it feel being back in the studio with each other?

I mean, you know, [with] me and him it's like magic when we connect so, it's that magic all over again. We a lil older now so, it's really more dangerous and potent because now we know the moves and the proper moves to make so, it's a beautiful thing now.

I know you probably don't want to get into any specifics about what was cooked up in the studio—

[Laughs] Yo, we gon' reinvent the wheel, that's what we gon’ do.

Last month, Jay-Z & Kanye West's Watch The Throne was released. What do you think about the idea of the two heavyhitters teaming for the project?

I wanna say big ups to Jay for being in the game for so long and what he's done and Kanye as far as being a producer, crossed over to being a lyricist carrying his own, it's a beautiful project in itself just because of that alone. Then you know, Jay being a lyricist on top of his game, to me, I appreciate it 'cause I'm from that era. I'm from that cloth and for him to still be doing his thing, it's a beautiful thing, man.

That seems to be the latest trend now, emcees creating duo collaborative projects, from Jim Jones & Cam'ron planning their Fly Boys album to Gucci & Waka releasing Ferrari Boyz. Could we possibly see an AZ & Nas album happening?

[Laughs] Anything is possible, that's all I could say right now. Anything is possible.

So, the 16th Anniversary of Doe Or Die is coming up in October. Congratulations. How does that feel?

Yo, it's like a dream come true. For any artist, they want to see longevity in their career regardless of what level. So, the fact that I even stood the test of time and continued to put out music and still get love and have a fan base, its a blessing. It's serious to me. Doe Or Die 16 years, Illmatic 17 years and just for everyone to still be pushing, you can't take nothing away from me.

Last year you celebrated the 15th Anniversary with a special concert at NYC’s Santos Party House. Will there be another celebratory concert this year?

Well right now I'm just focusing on Doe Or Die II and trying to get that magic back.

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Speaking of magic, how's the process been so far regarding the producers and label situation?

We're still working on the producers and I'm not even worried about the home because I know once the album is done, I'm definitely getting a home. That's my last worry right there because that independent lane is always open to get a distributor. As far as if I want to get back on the major, that door's open as well. My whole focus is getting the album done and creating that spark and magic again, get everybody riled up and show my worthiness of being in the position I'm in. That's my whole focus now.

Will it have the same mafioso vibe as the first?

Nah, [because] that was for that time.  This one is gonna be from a wiser, hustler's perspective. Just a hustler and making power moves and making money.  That's what all the focus is on, Doe Or Die II.

Could Nas possibly be making an appearance?

Everything is possible. You got a lot of goodies like we're trying to bring a whole lot of things to the table. For that question, imma say guaranteed he'll be on that. For a song on Doe Or Die II, I could guarantee that.

There was a rumor a couple months ago about you and Statik Selektah doing an album together. Is that true?

Nah, but I definitely want Statik on [Doe Or Die II].  I love Statik's music; he got that hip-hop sound.  When I'm coming under that umbrella of Premier, he got that sound and I definitely want him on the album.

How do you feel about what all these new artists are bringing to the table?

The new ones are the future so I appreciate it.  Big up to Wale, I like what he doing and he loves the culture. We need the young cats to preserve the culture and keep it going.  This is our voice for the streets, our voice for the youth. All the artists that's coming up doing their thing, man, just stay doing it, stay sharp, and just preserve this culture right here.

How do you feel about the current state of lyricism?

It's coming back and a couple cats is bringing it back.  For the last couple of years it was about getting your hustle on and making moves, it wasn't really about the art of it. Which I can't be mad at because this is a business. But, it is a culture and this is what we do so, it's a good thing that a lot of cats are bringing lyrics back to the table. Everybody gotta get their sword sharp again so, I appreciate it.

A couple months ago Fabolous released his own version to "Mo Money, Mo Murder, Mo Homicide," alongside Vado and Lloyd Banks titled "Mo Brooklyn, Mo Harlem, Mo Southside." Did you hear it?

Yeah, it was nice.

How'd you feel about it?

They definitely was showing homage and I appreciate it.  All three of them lyricists, being from New York City, I was like, "Yeah!"  I was waiting to hear that. Like I said, they preserving the culture and that's what its all about. Big up to all three of them.

Whatever happened to that “Hey AZ” record you dropped for your 1998 sophomore album, Pieces of A Man?

When we was getting ready to put it out and shooting the video, that’s when EMI closed.  They were going through financial difficulties and had to shut down. So, that record was out there and it didn’t really get the push that we wanted and it was right in the middle of us shooting the video so, we just threw that out there.  In the process of EMI going through that, that’s when Puff and ’em came out with the Mariah remix so, it was like you know what we not even gonna throw our energy into that. Let’s keep it movin’. So, that’s what happened.

Wow, things got real complicated.

[Yeah] that was like a crazy time in my career ’cause me just getting in the game and witnessing how the music business shift and shake, you know what I’m sayin’, a lot of people fall and it kind of hurt a lot of people . But, the strong survive through them times. That’s just like with life itself. When you move and certain things hit you from left field, it’s how you maintain and get up from that and keep it moving shows the true quality of a person. So, it is what it is at the end of the day.

With Doe Or Die II dropping soon, are you going to release any singles to hold the fans down?

I'm just moving accordingly, man.  I have nothing planned but, if push come to shove I should be dropping something just before the year is out to let them know its coming. The calm before the storm.

Besides the album, anything else we can expect within the next couple of months?

Well, right now its just working with my boy [Nas], working with my joint, and I got a few artists waiting for me to kick the door in and then we’re gonna bring everything to life.

It's still Quiet Money Records right?

Quiet Money for life. I aint going nowhere with it. I started it and imma end it, Quiet Money!

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