The mixtape doesn’t carry nearly as much weight as it once did. Not only were mixtapes the best place to get your exclusives and keep yourself in the loop but also they showcased new talent and broke boundaries that weren’t able to be broken at the record labels. Today, that really isn’t the issue so when a real mixtape is about to drop it’s definitely going to draw some attention.

For AZ and DJ Absolut their project N.4.L drew so much attention it became a street album and with these two veterans involved it’s sure to make some waves in the industry. Sixshot.com caught up with AZ and DJ Absolut to discuss the making of the album, how Tupac influenced its creation, and how it’s going to change hip-hop.

Abso, what’s good man?

Absolut: Everything is good man. How’s everything over there?

Everything is cool. So tell me bro, how did you and AZ hook up for this project?

Absolut: AZ and me wanted to do a project together. It was just going to be a regular mixtape but AZ is such a lyrical dude that you just want to take it to that next level. We didn’t just want it to be freestyles and whatever. We got in the studio. We picked beats and we decided to have it distributed and all that. < /P>

So you actually produced beats on this album right?

Absolut: Yeah well I got a production company and I got all my people, my producers. It’s not just one or two people. It’s a whole team so when we do beats it’s a team effort.

Now you’re from one generation from hip-hop and AZ you’re from another. Did you guys set that up intentionally?

Absolut: I think it made sense because I’m younger than AZ but I was always a fan of his music. Working with him definitely brought me to another level musically.

AZ: At the end of the day Absolut is the youngest DJ in charge and he loves that hip-hop. When him and me bumped heads it was just an automatic connection and that’s why we started working together.

Absolut: I’m always gonna be the type of dude who’s into the lyrics and into the substance of the music so it only makes sense to work with AZ.

AZ, you’ve been in the game for a long time and you’re still considered one of the best lyricists in the game. Is it an honor for you to still hold that title and have that longevity?

AZ: No doubt, I mean I came in the game on lyricism hearing Rakim and Kane and dudes like that. That’s what I was raised on so that’s what I brought to the game. I just kept my circle small and stayed around good people. It’s a good thing to still be recognized as one of the lyricists in the game.

This project definitely has a theme and concept. How would you guys describe it?

AZ: I really wanted to take that Tupac acronym and run with it when he used to say that Nigga stood for Never Ignorant Getting Goals Accomplished. We all have goals that we’ve accomplished and goals that we still want to accomplish so that’s why I came from that angle.

What was the creative process for you two like putting this together?

AZ: Absolut selected the music and I just got into that zone that I get in. I just got into that mind state where I was staying on track trying to do things quick but still having that substance involved. It wasn’t a hard process.

Abso, let me ask you, what is it like working with a legendary hip-hop artist like AZ?

Absolut: It was great man and what I did was I would just try to picture how he would flow and sound over a beat and that’s how I would pick the music. Everything turned out real good and we’re happy with the finished product. It was great working with AZ.

When word hit that this project was coming out it was getting a lot of comparisons to Nas’ album. What was your take on that AZ?

AZ: I mean it’s the climate for it so I’m with it. With the whole Sean Bell situation and everything I felt that Nas came at the right time with that. I already have my album out so I just wanted to add on to the awareness and that’s what I did. For me it was a good look. Awareness is always good so it was definitely a good look from my perspective. I still haven’t even copped Nas’ album yet. I wanted to finish all my stuff first before I even heard it so I’m gonna go cop it this week. We’re speaking from different perspectives but on the same topics. People were always looking for that Nas and AZ album so fans are gonna be excited about this project I did.

Do you feel like the fans need more of these serious topics as opposed to what they’re getting?

AZ: It’s not about what they’re looking for. It’s about what you give them. It’s like a baby being fed. The baby doesn’t know about nutrition and all that so I just liquefy everything so it can be digested. I dropped a little jewel in there and a little vitamin so when they digest it they’re still getting their vitamins. I spoke what the streets need to hear.

Now AZ how much has hip-hop changed from your first album up until now?

AZ: It went through a couple worlds but it’s a hustle now. The quality of the music has changed and those are just a couple of changes. A lot of the changes are good too so I really can’t complain.

Abso, with as many DJ’s as there are in the game, how do you manage to stand out and make an impact?

Absolut: I been doing this for so long man. I think my work ethic and the fact that I was around when classic music was being made helps people see what I’ve done in the game. I’ve been real visible also where people can see me and place the face with the name. It’s been a lot of hard word that I’ve put in.

AZ, what made you want to make this an official release as opposed to just a mixtape?

AZ: I really don’t do mixtapes too much and you can see that in my track record. When we decided to do it I just wanted it to be something big. What I’m trying to do right now is make it a big event.

Anything you guys want to say to the fans about the project?

AZ: I’m gonna be bringing that lyrical content to the table. I’m gonna bring that flavor to the table and I’m never gonna let ya’ll down. I’m gonna be doing that forever.

Absolut: I just wanna tell everybody to cop this album. I feel like we’re bringing certain things in hip-hop back with this joint and I guarantee that it’s hot and the fans are definitely gonna enjoy it.