"WHY WOULD I DO THAT FOR A COME UP?!!" AZ ON 50 CENT TAKING A SHOT & AVOIDING RAP BEEFS

n this past clip from My Expert Opinion Ep #220, hip-hop legend AZ of The Firm sits down with Math Hoffa to discuss the immense pressure of following up a classic debut and his unique, guarded approach to the rap industry. AZ admits that his mentality entering the game was based on legacy and money, not challenging others. He dismisses the concept of a "game plan," living by the philosophy that "great expectations bring great disappointment," and focuses solely on putting his best foot forward. He acknowledges the pressure of competing with the greats he idolized, like Rakim and Kool G Rap, but chose to rely strictly on his talent.

AZ explains why he never fully engaged in the rap beef culture, stating he was "not running from nothing," but rather protecting his mindset: "I knew it would go beyond music." He confirms that 50 Cent was the only one who ever truly crossed the line during his massive war path, but AZ intentionally avoided the confrontational zones where Nas, Jay-Z, and Foxy Brown excelled. He strongly critiques the current industry where "attention is the new currency," maintaining that his philosophy of quiet money and focusing on talent over spectacle (the "circus") is the superior and more genuine path to longevity: "If my talent can't do it, I don't need to be here."