AZ's classic style reminds us of how hip hop once was.

Lately, I’ve been on an oldschool kick. Notorious was on HBO again. Even after exciting Olympic hockey with Slovakia holding off upstart Norway, it never gets old. Plus the movie on Biggie is recent and portrayed well. That final scene where his Mom played by Angela Bassett takes him home one last time still gets me.

It’s still fresh how both Big and Pac were picked off less than a year apart. That was the pinnacle of rap/hip hop. They’ll always be on top in my book. East/West. It don’t matter because they’re both gone for way too long. But their memories live on cause like I’ve said before:

Legends Never Die

Since we’re on the subject of great rappers, it’s time to mention another gunner who doesn’t get enough due. AZ’s been in the game for years. Sugar Hill’s still one of our faves. Of course, it’s the only one that everyone knows along with his work with Nas on epic Life’s A Bitch, The Firm and numerous other tracks. They’ve convened on plenty of stuff combining Queensbridge and BK for classic hip hop. Take a gather of more greatness in How Ya Livin‘.

If you’ve ever heard AZ spit, then you know the homie comes hard, always bringing it. He’s just never had the commercial success of more well known artists we hear all the time. Doesn’t make him any less gifted. If you want that nostalgic sound, he supplies it, which brings us to today’s selection. Every time I’ve heard “The Come Up,” it always gets my juices flowing. It’s real and got street to back it up. Listen to every word because they all have meaning. Delivered with authority. Our favorite line:

“It’s still crazy how them suckers hit up Big. Pac is gone. The state of hip hop is wrong. You want more, then log onto AZ.com.“

Strong lyrics. That’s only a hint. Take it all in along with the classic scene as it was well shot. As P would say, this stuff is crack. So are Sour Skittles.