The hip-hop powerhouse that is New York is re-emerging to its rightful place. While many may contest the idea that the gritty New York rap the 90s grew accustomed to embrace was extinct, what is true, is that the past five years have allowed for a scope of rappers from other areas in the U.S. to push the sound of their coast.
Smoke DZA is one of the many budding New York artists fighting not only to dispel that notion, but embodying the proof to the contrary. He’s Brooklyn at it’s finest from his attitude, to his gear, all the way to his thick New York accent.
Diversions staff writer Mballa Mendouga chatted it up with DZA after his energy-filled show at Chapel Hill’s Local 506 on Oct. 14, which also boasted prominent local acts like Keaton, Lazurus, and The Koolest, and found out more about his taste and both his musical and political views.
Diversions: What projects do you think are worth listening to in 2012?
Smoke DZA: Smoke DZA projects, or projects period?
Dive: No. projects period. We know K.O.N.Y is great.
DZA: Ok, Rugby Thompson, Live from the Underground. Not just because he plugged me, that’s because that’s my brother and we’re both fans of each other’s craft. Stoned Immaculate, the Yellow Album, Section 80… There are so many dope projects out there – uh Flatbush Zombies – Drugs a lot of great projects.
Dive: How did you make sure that you stood out online as a rapper and as a brand among the millions of other rappers putting out mixtapes?
DZA: Well, me personally, I guess I kind of stand out in life. Every situation I’ve been in, in my circle of friends, I’ve always been the one that kind of like stands out. And people just – tend to like me for some reason. But you know, I am a cool guy. I’m really cool. So you know I just stay consistent, being my self. I mean, people can see it’s genuine. It’s not like I’m faking. It’s not an act. This is me 24/7. Cameras are off, this is me. Cameras are on this is me.
Dive: But everybody raps though. How did you make sure that they listen to you?
DZA: Because A lot of people rap, but a lot of people can’t rap.
Dive: This is real.
DZA: Anybody can rap, you know my sister can rap. But, I feel like I have craft. I make high-end rap, you know how they have high-end design? That’s what I do.
Dive: How do you feel about the people who are saying the opposite, the people that are talking about New York like it fell off?
DZA: That’s their opinion. I guess from a large crop of talent, maybe people may say that we fell off because we got overpowered. But we still have Jay-Z, so I don’t know if we ever fell off. You know Jay-Z is still alive and strong.
Dive: Haha
DZA: But as of right now, the state of hip-hop in New York, as for the young crowd? Myself, Action Bronson, A.S.A.P. Rocky, New York hip-hop is in a great place. K.O.N.Y – King of New York, that’s my shit – yeah but I don’t like saying “Yo New York is back!” But yeah New York is standing strong, MrMFNeXquire, Lotto. There’s a list. You name them, New York, we’re out here.
Dive: What is it that you feel is your greatest mistake? What is it that you would tell other rappers not to do?
DZA: Don’t depend on someone else for your success. You’re going to get whatever you give. I would say, be independent. Work for yourself and don’t try to lean on somebody else to always be behind you. When you do it your own way, you’ll see the results what I’m talking about. It’s sweet.
Dive: One last question: Elections are right around the corner, what’s your opinion on both presidential candidates? What do you think about the current situation, and if you’re willing to disclose who you’re going to vote for, who is it?
DZA: OK. Well I’m not going to try to do no crazy shit. First and foremost, I’m not a politician. I smoke weed. I take care of my kid. And what’s going to happen is going to happen. Shout out to Barack. I’m voting for Barack. I vote. I do that. It’s good for you guys to vote too.
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