Still promoting his just released Dream.ZONE.Achieve album, Smoke DZA recently spoke with VladTV about his reaction to Trinidad James’ late-2013 claims that Atlanta runs the New York Hip Hop scene.
“At the time that all that shit was happening, it was just, niggas was using New York as a doormat,” Smoke DZA said. “It was cool to certain people for that to happen because it was bringing light on the city. But for the people that’s actually in the city moving and shaking and busting they ass, I felt offended like anybody else. I spoke to Trinidad about that over the telephone. It’s not like that shit was just some computer shit. I ain’t no computer nigga, I don’t fuck with the computer cyborg bullying or none of that bullshit niggas be on. If I know a nigga—which I know Trinidad—I’ll shoot him a text [or] give him a call. The only reason I went to Twitter is because I reached out and I didn’t hear back the first time and then he got right back at me. But that’s how shit be sometimes. That’s the homie. But it definitely lit a fire under everybody in New York’s ass including mines.”
Alluding to the impact of Kendrick Lamar’s 2013 “Control” verse in a similar vein, DZA went on to describe feeling like the incidents were “a gift and a curse.”
“From Kendrick saying what he said in ‘Control’ to Trinidad fucking go on his rant in Brooklyn,” Smoke DZA said. “it made everybody be like, ‘Okay.’ From the deejays to the rappers, coming together. It was a gift and a curse. It made everybody look at each other and look at what’s what.”
When asked directly about his hometown competition, DZA explained feeling like he’s the best of the current landscape of New York artists.
“In the current New York right now?” he said. “Definitely. None of these niggas ain’t fucking with me. As far as the legends, the legends paved the way and they still paving the way. So I”m not about to sit here and turn brown-nose them niggas or sit here and act like I’m better than them niggas after they been successful. You’re only as good as your success. As of right now, in the crop of what’s going on right now, I’m the best. I got the best album out. Best rapper. Best dressed. Smell better than these niggas. All of that.”
Earlier this month Smoke DZA revealed plans to release a collaborative album with Dipset emcee Cam’Ron. “We just started to build and it led up to what we doing right now,” DZA said in an interview with Complex. “We got our project that we working on.” According to Rolling Stone, the rappers are tentatively scheduled to release their joint project later in 2014.
RELATED: Smoke DZA Explains Inspiration Behind “Dream.ZONE.Achieve” & Working With Cam’Ron
gza, rza, dza, sza…in that order
funny. feelin that new sza album.
dza = best thing to happen to wu tang since cappadonna
I admire the confidence but no way he’s the best rapper in NY, maybe the best NY rapper who raps about trees constantly. Never been impressed with dude, to each his own though, some people don’t care about lyrical talent as much and they’re happy with countless tracks about blazing and rockin’ Polo shirts.
Couldn’t have said it better myself. This is NY’s version of Curren$y
Man no disrespect but nobody dnt no dis nigga he local and since when did how a nigga dress and smell determine your status i dnt never see u on tv or hear u on radio and u rarely on a hiphop website niggas get local love and get big headed we dnt no u down south bra shoutout to papoose wu tang banks vado the lox but i dnt even no how to pronounce your name is it dizzzaaaa or d z a imma chrvk out his MIXTAPES tho see Wat it hittin 4
the best artist in new york right now is french montana…hes getting all the shine.
that bullshit 50 putting out aint gon sell shit…i wont even top Excuse my French lol..trust me…
and oh yeah..i jus heard Lloyd Banks and Rick Ross are in the studio recording..according to DJ Khaleds instergram/twitter
yea i seen that on ig…it was a picture of rick ross, ace hood, lloyd banks, tony yayo and dj khaled…
shit getting crazy…
SLIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMMMMME
Clearly delusional.
Vado is the best new artist out of new York right now
1. Vado is not new
2. The only way the word “best” associates with Vado is by virtue of the label he’s signed to.
Smoke is reppin it proper, although until Nas or Jay steps down, the crown ain’t going no where. All that aside, Smoke’s Dream.Zone.Acheive is flames. All the way dope.
I listen to a good deal of hip-hop…and like everything from real lyrical shit, to dumb ass trap shit, and this is one of the only dudes I think is next to useless every time I hear him on a track. He just sucks, no 2 ways around it. He might be better than Fred the Godson, thats about it, lmao.
That’s the truth. Name ONE NY rapper (non-legend) doing it better than Dza. Just one you can’t
ASAP mob, Bronson, Troy Ave..cmon it wasnt till these last two projects DZA put out anything good since George Kush Da Button
Nah Smoke!that’ll have to be Troy Ave,he’s the hottest out of NY right now
I like DZA’s confidence hopefully it keeps shining through his music
Skyzoo is going to be the best thing in New York for a long time.