1)
“Describe the Vibe” of Aziel.
My vibe is all about showing love, being real, and always trying to stay to my
roots- giving a 110% at everything I do.
2)
Your first release presented you as AZ, but the next album you switched to Aziel. Why the name change?
I changed my name to Aziel because that is my birth given name. “AZ” is a nickname and I didn’t want any confusion between myself and the Motown recording
artist who also goes by AZ.
3)
You also switched labels from Mafiuso to Lastwon Productionz. Why
this switch?
I switched record labels because at Mafiuso I felt like I was being mistreated. In this business, loyalty is everything, between both the Record label and the Artist. I just felt, the loyalty wasn’t given to me, but you learn from your mistakes. With Lastwon Productionz, I am treated how I am suppose to be treated…fairly!
4)
As a member of the media industry as well as a fan of your music I respectively ask: There’s been controversial events that has occurred over the past years, which has brought much negative
attention your way. Accusations and allegations against you have led many fans
and admirers of your work to perhaps have a change in opinion. Again with the
utmost respect I humbly ask for you to share to whatever extent you’re comfortable with or allowed to in regards to
the accusations.
I’m
going through the legal process now, so I can’t really discuss this matter, but I just want everybody to know that I
am innocent of all accusations.
5)
There’s no doubt in my mind that you’re very passionate about your music. What’s very refreshing to see is that you’re not afraid or ashamed to share your faith in your
music. On the “Show You Love” album you released a song entitled
“Jesus is the best thing” in which you start the song with a personal testimony.
Expand if you will on how big a part your faith influences your music.
Everything started from my faith. Without
God, I would be nothing. I was raised in church.
My dad was a pastor and both my brothers are pastors, so I was highly influenced by the church…spiritually and
musically.
6)
Is a full-length gospel album in the future for Aziel?
Most definitely!
7)
Who (artists) would you consider the biggest
influence on your music? Brian Mcknight, Al Green, Luther Vandross, Smokey Robinson,…man,
the list goes on and on. Who non-artist? My brother,
Rev. Alexander Toeaina, My dad, My sister, My whole family.
8)
Are there any artist(s) you’d love to collaborate with on future music projects?
Usher, Natural Vibrations, Ekolu.
9)
Do you see yourself as a role model for the Pacific Island community worldwide?
No, but being that I am in the spotlight, people automatically see me as one. I just try to be myself.
10)
As a big fan of your musical style, I personally feel your works could easily be successful and compete in the mainstream
R&B realms. Do you feel it’s tougher making the “cross-over”
into the mainstream being labeled as an “Island artist?”
Yes, its hard to go mainstream wherever you are, but being labeled an Island artist,
it’s a little harder because a lot of us Island artists don’t fit the “Hollywood Profile”, if you
know what I mean.
11)
Through Pipeline 2 Paradise radio your music to date has been heard in over 62 countries, including major U.S. markets
such as California, New York and right here in Nevada. Have you personally received
any e-mail responses on your music from distant lands?
Yes, I
received e-mail from places like my hometown, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, Utah, Oregon, Iraq, Afghanistan.
12)
“Tha3LOGY”- an appropriate name for your third release in my opinion is your best work yet. Please comment on the many collaborations that are featured with you on this cd.
Man, everybody I worked with on this album was very talented. From the producers, musician, artists. Wendell Ching, Kainoa
Delo, B.E.T., J.D. and Papa T, Vincent Moe from Hi-risk Facktor, Salaam Tillman, Jeff Rasmussen, The artists on the same record
label as me, FOCUS-Phat Pat, Atlast, Fili, and Cherie. It was a very good project
and I had a lot of fun working with everybody involved.
13)
What’s your favorite song on “Tha3LOGY?”
Miss U Much
14)
Are there any other people you’d like to thank in regards to your third?”
I would like to thank God always and my Record Label, Lastwon Productionz. Everyone that helped work on the album and most off all to the fans, even though there
was a lot of negative publicity about me, you guys looked beyond that.
15)
Any last thoughts or seeds to plant?
No matter
how hard the road ahead gets, in anything you do, keep striving and moving forward till you achieve your goals.
16)
What is your favorite? :
Food(s) - Everything
Hollywood Celebrity – Angelina Jolie and Robert Deniro
Movie - Godfather
NFL Team – SF 49ers
NBA Team – Sacramento Kings
Color – Red
Word or phrase – “Nothing To A Boss”
