Smoke DZA: Harlem, Mixtapes, Ghostwriting & Kush Culture | Compound Conversations

Harlem’s own Smoke DZA joins Compound Conversations for a deep dive into his multi-layered journey—where hip hop, weed culture, wrestling, and fashion collide. From hearing Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle as a kid to ghostwriting hits for Sean Kingston, Smoke DZA shares how he went from battle rap ciphers to a respected solo artist with a fully branded identity as the “Kush God.” 

He talks about his earliest inspirations, personal losses, the legacy of Biggie, and his dream-like transition into the business of wrestling alongside Westside Gunn. This is a raw, inspiring look at how to evolve as an artist without losing your essence.

00:00:00 -  Intro
00:00:54 – A Harlem Upbringing
00:10:05 – First Album Was Doggystyle
00:12:32 – Biggie Smalls Changed Everything
00:16:03 – Where the Name “Smoke DZA” Comes From
00:20:23 – Branding Through Fashion
00:24:12 – From Battle Rap to Mixtapes
00:28:13 – Writing for High-Tek & Sean Kingston
00:33:01 – Becoming The Kush God
00:38:23 – Smoking with the OGs
00:40:44 – Merging Wrestling with Hip Hop
00:44:49 – Legacy in the Ashes

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📸 https://instagram.com/smokedza

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