smoke dza ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

Black Thought, Benny & DZA Link For A Song That’s 3x Dope

In 2019, Benny The Butcher and Black Thought teamed for "Crowns For Kings," one of the hardest-hitting collaborations of the last five years. The Plugs I Met look was produced by Benny's mentor, DJ Shay, who has since passed away—and remains one of The Butcher's biggest songs. During the summer... Read more

December 9, 2023 Audio, Trending Stories

Smoke DZA & Benny Take Pete Rock Production To The Streets Of New York (Video)

Smoke DZA and Benny The Butcher are warming up the frigid streets of New York with their brand of bully-bars over dope production. On their latest adventure, Statue Of Limitations, this destructive duo links up with Pete Rock for this collaborative EP that is six songs, 20 minutes of all-killer,... Read more

January 12, 2020 Video

Daringer & Beat Butcha Detail Producing Griselda’s Album Without Samples (Video)

Last Friday (November 29), Griselda released their Shady Records debut, WWCD. The collaboration between the Buffalo, New York independent imprint and Eminem's veteran powerhouse is the first group album between Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine, and Benny The Butcher. It involves 50 Cent, Raekwon, singer Novel, and a new, expanded... Read more

December 4, 2019 Video

Benny, Smoke DZA & Westside Gunn Glide Over Smooth Pete Rock Production (Video)

New York City's Smoke DZA has been a close affiliate of the Griselda team since they first started gaining attention around 2015. He has featured on a number of their tracks and vice versa. So, when The Kushed God announced a joint EP with Benny The Butcher, it was no... Read more

October 19, 2019 Video

DZA, Benny & Pete Rock Are Releasing An EP. Here’s The 1st Song & Tracklist (Audio)

Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let Ambrosia For Heads fight through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it’s ever been. Not only are we able to... Read more

October 11, 2019 Audio

Pete Rock Has Music With Heavy D That He’s Thinking About Releasing

Pete Rock is a living legend in Hip-Hop. Throughout the last 30 years, Pete has fed a dedicated fan-base with material from his duo with C.L. Smooth, solo albums, remixes, DJ sets, plenty of collaborative albums, and production work. However, like J Dilla, Madlib, Ayatollah, and others, Pete Rock has... Read more

April 16, 2019 Video

Benny The Butcher And Smoke DZA Are Winning & It’s Not Because Of Luck

Smoke DZA is an MC who thrives on collaborative chemistry. The Harlem, New Yorker who came in the game as one-half of Smoke & Numbers has made some of his best work while vibing with peers. For example, he has done multiple cuts with A$AP Twelvyy, Action Bronson, and Curren$y,... Read more

March 11, 2019 Video

Smoke DZA & Joey Bada$$ Are In The Mood To Borrow A Scarface Classic And They Wax It (Audio)

Smoke DZA is preparing to release his forthcoming project Not For Sale (April 20). In announcing the LP, he decided to link with his Smokers Club affiliate Joey Bada$$ for the Babygrande Records album's first single. "The Mood" is a tribute to all the New York City MCs that came... Read more

February 27, 2018 Audio

Big K.R.I.T. Rates The Bars & Hands Pimp C The Lowest Score In The Batch (Video)

Big K.R.I.T. is the latest rapper in the hot seat for "Rate The Bars." More than most, Krizzle seems to be a generous rater (handing out almost exclusively 4's and 5's). Heads have long found this artist to be generous with his music, whether giving away acclaimed mixtapes and making... Read more

February 12, 2018 Video

Pete Rock Dusts Off His Mic & Performs “One In A Million” With The Soul Rebels Band (Video)

Pete Rock and his latest partner in rhyme, Harlem's Smoke DZA performed a B.K. show last month with a band, The Soul Rebels—who headlined the Brooklyn Bowl event. In this footage shared exclusively with Ambrosia For Heads, viewers beyond B.K. get a taste of live band synergy, two MCs, and a... Read more

September 20, 2017 Exclusive, Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: Pete Rock vs. Kanye West. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” the third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more

February 24, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Listen To Some Of The Best Hip-Hop Songs Of 2016 & More In 1 Playlist (Audio)

2016 is officially a wrap. For many it will go down as one of the more challenging years in recent memory, but, no matter what may have transpired, it was a period in which a lot of great music was released. Skillz’s 2016 Rap Up Reminds Us Of The Year’s... Read more

January 7, 2017 Audio

A Tribe Called Quest & Many More Gave Hip-Hop Much To Be Thankful For In November (Audio)

November 2016 was one of the most tumultuous months in a generation. Regardless of one's political affiliation the world seemingly changed over one long night on November 8 for hundreds of millions of Americans. When not fixated on the news, many turned to music for relief from the onslaught or,... Read more

December 7, 2016 Audio, Throwback

Pete Rock Discusses His Smoke DZA Collabo Album & Who Would Be In His Dream Band (Video)

Last Friday (December 2), Smoke DZA & Pete Rock released their first collaborative album, Don't Smoke Rock. The Babygrande Records LP features Rick Ross, Royce 5'9", Jadakiss, Mac Miller, Styles P, Big K.R.I.T., and Cam'ron (among others) on 13 brand-new Pete Rock productions. DZA, who has known Pete since he... Read more

December 5, 2016 Exclusive, Food for Thought, Video

Smoke DZA & Pete Rock Release The Full Stream For “Don’t Smoke Rock” & It’s Crack (Audio)

Don’t Smoke Rock, the long-awaited album by legendary producer Pete Rock and Harlem’s own Smoke DZA, released on Babygrande Records, is finally here — and not since DJ Premier and Royce Da 5’9” linked for their PRhyme project has such a dope multigenerational collaboration occurred. Incidentally, Royce joins Jadakiss, Styles... Read more

December 1, 2016 Audio

Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth Have An “Awesome” Third Album Coming In 2017

Last month, A Tribe Called Quest released its first album in 18 years. We got it from Here...Thank You 4 Your service featured the founding three MCs of the Queens, New York collective. The Epic Records LP debuted at #1, setting a new feat for the genre. Pete Rock &... Read more

December 1, 2016 News, Video

Tech N9ne & Smoke DZA Ignite A Cypher On A Fresh Pete Rock Beat (Video)

In less than two weeks, the unit of Smoke DZA & Pete Rock, as well as Tech N9ne will release albums, respectively. As Smoke has become a force to be reckoned with in 2010s independent Hip-Hop, Tech may be the standing giant of that field—given his commercial success and cult... Read more

November 29, 2016 Video

Pete Rock & Smoke DZA Look To Create Milestones With Jadakiss & Styles P (Audio)

On December 2, Pete Rock and Smoke DZA will release Don't Smoke Rock, a collaborative project that's been in the works for some time. The relationship began in 2014, when the legendary producer contributed to the Harlem rapper's Dream.ZONE.Achieve and two years later, Heads are being treated to an entire LP of... Read more

November 10, 2016 Audio

Pete Rock & Smoke DZA Release The 1st Single From Their Joint Album & It’s Limitless (Audio)

A year to the day since Ambrosia for Heads reported that Pete Rock would be producing Smoke DZA's new album in its entirety, the two have emerged on this Halloween with the first single from the much-awaited joint LP. Don't Smoke Rock is the aptly hybridized title for the project,... Read more

October 31, 2016 Audio

Pete Rock Comments On Who REALLY Invented The Remix (Video)

Since debuting Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth music in 1990, producer/MC/DJ Pete Rock has always been known to speak on his records. Songs like Nas' "The World Is Yours," his group's own "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)," and AZ's "Rather Unique" all feature notable background vocals from the Mount Vernon,... Read more

October 26, 2016 Video

Smoke DZA’s Ear For Beats Is Superior. He Operates Over Some Opera (Audio)

Smoke DZA is believed to be currently in the lab with Pete Rock, working on Don't Smoke Rock. As that makes its way to the public, the Harlem, New York veteran keeps his output strong. Whether working with Pete, or past affiliates such as Harry Fraud, DJ Dahi, or Ski... Read more

May 18, 2016 Audio

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop of February (& January) 2016 In One Playlist (Audio)

The month of February brought many surprises in Hip-Hop. DJ Premier partnered with ambient songstress Yuna, for some boom bap vibe music. Blu rocked on a 45 King track reminiscent of "Hard Knock Life." Kendrick Lamar and Ice Cube got funky with Funkadelic. The Game waxed poetic with nothing but... Read more

March 7, 2016 Audio

Snoop Dogg Surfs Right Into A Harry Fraud & Smoke DZA Wave (Audio)

Smoke DZA and Harry Fraud have years of chemistry. The Harlem-to-Brooklyn, New York connect built a strong base of slick talk over in-your-face beats. Almost four years after Rugby Thompson, the pair is still working. "Morals" looks at the G-code through the generations and circumstances. As DZA stands tall by... Read more

February 5, 2016 Audio

Pete Rock Is Producing Smoke DZA’s Entire Next Album (Video)

In addition to his acclaimed work with C.L. Smooth, Pete Rock has produced albums for the likes of Smif-n-Wessun, 80 Blocks From Tiffany's, and I.n.I. The Mount Vernon, New York MC/DJ/producer is adding a new artist to the repertoire: Smoke DZA. The Harlem, New York MC worked with P.R. for... Read more

October 31, 2015 News, Video

Dame Dash & Kanye West Share A Glimpse Of Their Film In Segments Starring The LOX, Smoke DZA & More (Video)

In Hip-Hop, film and music videos are often of blurred lines. From Krush Groove to Murder Was The Case, plots often pause to show artists expressing themselves in cinematic vignettes. Loisaidas, the new film executive produced by Damon Dash and Kanye West is no exception. In a 17-minute reel-style "episode,"... Read more

February 26, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Cam’ron, Wiz Khalifa & Smoke DZA Can Touch The Sky Sitting Down (Video)

Following last week's (October 23) "Touch The Sky" release from 1st Of The Month, Vol. 5, Cam'ron, Wiz Khalifa, and Smoke DZA shared the visual. Thematically, all three independent Hip-Hop icons decided to sit this one down. From couches and chairs (Cam's notably being on top of a Harlem high-rise),... Read more

October 27, 2014 Fresh, Video

Cam’ron Touches The Sky With Wiz Khalifa & Smoke DZA (Audio)

Cam'ron is one of the most influential MCs of the wave right now. Both Wiz Khalifa and Smoke DZA, who had loose ties to Dipset since battling J.R. Writer in the early 2000s, owe a lot to Killa Cam. The irreverence, the humor, the style of the Harlem, New York... Read more

October 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Curren$y’s Releases His 2nd Mixtape in a Week with Jet Life’s World Wide Hustlers (Mixtape)

Curren$y stays on his mixtape grind with his second release in a week. World Wide Hustlers features, Spitta, fellow Jet Life members Young Roddy, Corner Boy, Le$ and T.Y., as well as Smoke DZA, Freddie Gibbs and more. The project contains some original soulful beats as well as some old... Read more

October 12, 2014 Audio, Mixes

Nitty Scott, Chris Webby, Smoke DZA & CJ Fly Cypher With Conviction (Video)

One day after the 2014 BET Hip-Hop Awards' Digital All-Stars Cypher (Emilio Rojas, Andy Mineo, Dreezy, Dillon Cooper, Retro Jace, Conceited) premiered, RAW rolling papers' shows another healthy, talented crop of MCs. Nitty Scott, MC, Pro Era's CJ Fly, Chris Webby, and veteran Smoke DZA represent the NY tri-state lovely,... Read more

September 23, 2014 Fresh, Video

Action Bronson, Schoolboy Q, Vic Mensa & More Blow The Roof Off Peter Palooza III (Video)

Blow out the candles with Hot 97's Peter Rosenberg as the radio personality kicks it behind the scenes with some of the biggest names in Hip-Hop for his third birthday bash aptly titled Peter Palooza III. After snapping a few quick pictures with the likes of Chris Rivers, Retch, and... Read more

July 30, 2014 Fresh, Video

This Week in Video Brought Visuals of Jay Z & Jay Electronica, Talib Kweli, Phonte, Crooked I & More (Video Playlist)

This week in video brought lots of variety, ranging from Jay Electronica & Jay Z's first live performance of "We Made It," to a scaled down acoustic set by Phonte and his Foreign Exchange crew. Here's a video playlist of some of the best including a freestyle from Elzhi, Peter... Read more

July 13, 2014 Featured-homepage, Playlists, Video

Smoke DZA & Ab-Soul Take You 6 Feet Under (Video)

Smoke DZA and Ab-Soul are tough on the mic, looking to take out any and everyone in their path on the cut, "Hearses." Ab and Smoke, who have created magic before with their addicting single, "Diamond," bring their lyrical assault to life with dark, cinematic clips evoking similarly sinister production.... Read more

July 9, 2014 Fresh, Video

Smoke DZA Flows Over Music from Dr. Dre, Aaliyah & 112 on The 5 Fingers of Death (Video)

Smoke DZA stopped by The Sway in the Morning show to tackle the 5 Fingers of Death freestyle challenge and passed with flying colors. The Harlem MC went off the top over 5 beats, including music from Dr. Dre, Aaliyah and 112. Riiiight...Check it out. Related: Did You Know Smoke... Read more

April 10, 2014 Video

Did You Know Smoke DZA’s Name is a Tribute to Snoop? The Boss Dogg and DZA Converse on GGN (Video)

Smoke DZA's album Dream.ZONE.Achieve hit stores today. Here's another release from the album, the soulful Bamma Weed featuring Flatbush Zombies, as well as an entertaining episode of Snoop Dogg's GGN featuring the Kushed God. Snoop and DZA talk pro wrestling, the origins of DZA's name (a tribute to Snoop) and... Read more

April 1, 2014 Audio, Video

Joey Bada$$ Gives the Assist to Smoke DZA on Fhvt BVsturd (Audio)

Cinematic Music Group's Smoke DZA and Joey Bada$$ re-team on one last release before Smoke DZA's Dream.Zone.Achieve drops tomorrow. Check out Fhvt BVsturd. Related: Smoke DZA – Gotham F*cking City ft Joey Bada$$ (Video)... Read more

March 31, 2014 Audio

Smoke DZA and Cam’ron Resurrect the Ghost of Dipset (Audio)

Harlem is in the building. Smoke DZA and Cam'ron resurrect the Ghost of Dipset on this slow, grimy burner. Check it out. Related: Smoke DZA & Ab-Soul Hop On A DJ Dahi-Produced Cloud For Hearses (Audio)... Read more

March 27, 2014 Audio

Sean C & LV – Loud Dreams Vol. 1 Features Raekwon, Busta Rhymes, Big K.R.I.T. & Plenty More (Mixtape)

On his own, Sean C produced "Can't Knock The Hustle" and "Roc Boys" for Jay Z. The New Yorker not only co-founder the legendary X-Ecutionerz DJ crew (R.I.P. Roc Raida), but he was a major hand in Loud Records' success, thanks to his A&R role. Once he teamed with LV,... Read more

March 25, 2014 Fresh, Mixes

Big K.R.I.T. Does Not Take the Weekends Off. WeekOfKRIT Continues (Audio)

Just when it seemed WeekOfKRIT was over, Big K.R.I.T. returns with his hardest track of the week. He, Smoke DZA and oft collaborator Big Sant trade bars on the hard-driving Steps. Check it out. Related: Big K.R.I.T.'s Egyptian Cotton is Another Strong New Track (Video)... Read more

March 8, 2014 Audio

Smoke DZA & Ab-Soul Hop On A DJ Dahi-Produced Cloud For Hearses (Audio)

For nearly a decade, Smoke DZA's been around when movements start. From the last days of Dipset and Purple City, to the recent Harry Fraud wave, to Black Hippy, DZA's positioned himself as every rapper's willing collaborator, and the results can be quite pleasing. Such is true of "Hearses," with... Read more

March 3, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Smoke DZA Blows Some Cloud Rap Overtop An Experimental Flying Lotus Beat (Audio)

Although Flying Lotus has built his following in the Electric music and Instrumental Hip-Hop genre, the California native has roots in Rap. He's worked with Finale, D. Prosper, and Blu, but now the Los Angeles-based musician links with Kush God? Well, not completely. But DZA hops on a FlyLo beat... Read more

January 29, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Smoke DZA Puts Record Labels on Blast on His New Song Black Independence (Audio)

Smoke DZA details the pitfalls of being signed to a record label and celebrates his Black Independence on his latest release. Related: Curren$y & Smoke DZA Release The Stage EP (Prod. Harry Fraud) (Mixtape)... Read more

January 16, 2014 Audio

Curren$y & Smoke DZA Release The Stage EP (Prod. Harry Fraud) (Mixtape)

Fellow Smoker's Club alums, Curren$y and Smoke DZA have come together on The Stage EP, a free project produced entirely by Harry Fraud. Big K.R.I.T. and French Montana also make guest appearances on the 4-song EP. You can stream and download The Stage EP below. Related: Curren$y – Jetflix Documentary... Read more

October 30, 2013 Mixes

Smoke DZA – City of Dreams

Smoke DZA releases City of Dreams, a salute to New York. Here's what DZA had to say: "New York ain't been the same since 9/11. But what will always remain the same is the hunger, the hustle, and the real talk approach that makes New York, New York the "City... Read more

September 11, 2013 Audio

DeLorean – Philippe ft. Smoke DZA

Houston, Texas' DeLorean hands the mic to Harlem representative Smoke DZA on this wristwatch-inspired cut. The Kush God glides over this mid-tempo beat from 183rd, as DeLorean takes the booth back and really stands out, as the case through the star-studded guests on Grace. Like Tito Lopez in Mississippi or... Read more

August 1, 2013 Audio, Fresh

The Smokers Club & Jonny Shipes Present: OIL: 710 (Mixtape)

Here's a new mixtape from The Smokers Club and Jonny Shipes (who manages artists such as Big K.R.I.T, Smoke DZA, Joey Bada$$, Pro Era and more). The mixtape features music from DZA, Joey, CJ Fly, Boldy James and more. You can listen to and download The Smokers Club & Jonny... Read more

July 10, 2013 Mixes

Wiz Khalifa – Old Chanel ft Smoke DZA (Video)