The Format (album)

For the band, see The Format.
The Format
Studio album by
AZ
ReleasedNovember 7, 2006 (2006-11-07)
Recorded2006
StudioChop Shop Studios (Brooklyn, NY)
GenreEast Coast hip hop
Length45:55
Label
  • Quiet Money
  • Fastlife
Producer
AZ chronology
A.W.O.L.
(2005) 		The Format
(2006) 		Undeniable
(2008)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About.com[1]
AllHipHop[2]
Cokemachineglow55/100%[3]
HipHopDX4/5[4]
RapReviews8/10[5]
Tiny Mix Tapes[6]
XXL3/5 (L)[7]

The Format is the sixth solo studio album by American rapper AZ. It was released on November 7, 2006 via Quiet Money Records. Recording sessions took place at Chop Shop Studios in Brooklyn. Production was handled by Emile Haynie, J. Cardim, Lil' Fame, Arnold Mischkulnig, Bob Perry, DJ Premier, Face Defeat and Statik Selektah. It features guest appearances from Fresh, Big Pooh, Jha-Jha, M.O.P., Phonte, Ralo, and Samson.

The album's lead single is its title track, "The Format", produced by DJ Premier, with "Vendetta" as its B-side.[8] The Format also features the bonus track "Royal Salute", a retaliation to 50 Cent's song "What If", which included a line aimed at AZ. On October 7, 2007, Quiet Money released The Format (Special Edition) adding six bonus tracks, including "Royal Salute".

  1. ^ Rott, Ivan. "AZ - The Format (Quiet Money)". About.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2007. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  2. ^ "The Format". AllHipHop. November 7, 2006. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  3. ^ Betz, Chet (October 30, 2007). "AZ: The Format | Records". Cokemachineglow. Archived from the original on February 12, 2008. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  4. ^ Virly, Justin (November 6, 2006). "AZ - The Format". HipHopDX. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  5. ^ Jost, Matt (November 14, 2006). "AZ :: The Format :: Quiet Money/Fast Life Music". RapReviews. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  6. ^ Ranta, Alan. "Music Review: AZ - The Format". Tiny Mix Tapes. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  7. ^ Blanco, Alvin (November 2, 2006). "AZ The Format - XXL". XXL. No. 87. Archived from the original on November 10, 2006. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  8. ^ Richburg, Chris (September 29, 2006). "AZ Prepares Return With New Album, The Format". AllHipHop. Archived from the original on October 20, 2006. Retrieved August 16, 2024.