In the ever-expanding world of Hip-Hop, few names resonate as strongly with both lyricism and lifestyle as Smoke DZA. Known to fans as The Kushed God, the Harlem native has built a career on sharp wordplay, timeless collaborations, and a devotion to the culture that raised him.
But beyond his catalog, DZA stands tall as one of rap’s most unapologetic cannabis connoisseurs. Weed isn’t just a pastime for him: it’s woven into his art, his brand, and his very identity. Whether trading bars with Curren$y, sparking up with Snoop Dogg, or championing legalization after once being criminalized for the plant, Smoke DZA has cemented his place as both a hip-hop heavyweight and a cannabis ambassador, carrying the torch for a lifestyle he lives and breathes daily.
High Times caught up with Smoke DZA at Ted’s Fest in Los Angeles, California. DZA performed on stage and even brought his wrestling group 4th Rope, sharing the bill with G Perico, Cornfed Ted, and the legendary B-Legit.
How much do you smoke in a day? We got the blunt rolled up right now.
I smoke a lot. I wake up, I might run through three or four to get me started. And then gradually through the day, I’m rolling. And if I’m out, I’m rolling even more because I got social anxiety nowadays. I’m just smoking to be doing something, I guess. But I smoke a lot.
Do you smoke first thing in the morning before you brush your teeth, or after?
Before and after.
Favorite munchies?
Trail mix.
What kind of trail mix?
Cranberries, cashews, pistachios, peanuts, almonds. That little mix-up right there.
You got raisins in your shit?
I like raisins.
You like chocolate?
Nah.
Sativa or Indica?
Indica.
Favorite strain?
Luigi OG.
I love OGs! Do you remember the first time you got high?
Yeah. I was in Grand Projects with some of my friends, that’s still my friends today. Shout out, Fat Troy. Shout out, B Dot. Shout out, James. We got high. I was high for a couple of hours, and I thought it was never gonna go away. I swore I was never gonna get high again… and then I turned into the Kushed God.
How does cannabis improve your life?
I’ve supported my family off cannabis. I’ve made a lot of money off cannabis. Cannabis isn’t a drug; it’s a plant, and I lean on it, and I utilize it the way it should be used.
What’s the threshold for running out of weed?
Oh, I gotta smoke every drop of everything I got in my facility. But once I start getting to my last little seven (rams), I’m like, “Alright, it’s time.”
Who in Hip-Hop has the best weed?
That’s a tough question. It’s not just one person, it’s a couple. Wiz Khalifa, Berner, Snoop Dogg, Smoke DZA. And Curren$y. But Curren$y don’t share; he keeps his weed to himself.
He don’t be sharing his Jet Llife?!
Spitta don’t share.
Most legendary session you’ve had?
I’ve had a couple. Me and Steven Adler of Guns N’ Roses. That was cool. Me, Berner, and Spitta when we did “Life Instructions.” The first time I smoked Cherry Pie, I fell asleep in the session after I did my verse. That was a good one. Then I was with Snoop and him asking me to rap, and I was coughing. [laughs]
I saw you brought your wrestling squad, 4th Rope! Top three wrestlers of all time?
Hulk Hogan. The other two are Ric Flair and The Rock.
What is the most pressing issue in cannabis?
The most pressing issue. Nowadays, we don’t have too many pressing issues. Where I’m at, it’s decriminalized. Like, you guys don’t know what that feels like to not be able to smoke weed outside. You’ve been able to smoke weed outside since you came outside off the porch. We got arrested when we were smoking weed outside. Being able to have weed decriminalized and being able to smoke weed in front of the cops and not go to jail, that’s the only thing I’ve been criminally in trouble for, is marijuana. The fact that we don’t have those issues no more, that was my number one issue. So I don’t really have no problems, nothing makes me upset about the weed game. I’m really excited about what’s happening.
How long were you locked up for?
I only went to jail for a weekend or two. But that was when I was getting in trouble for smoking weed back then. Nothing current.
Anything you wanna plug that you’re working on?
4th Rope. Follow @4thRope. Check us out. Shout out to my brother, Westside Gunn. HEELS HAVE EYES 2 is out right now. Download it. Stream it. Buy the vinyl, buy the CD. On My Way To Berlin by Smoke DZA, that’s also in the hemisphere. And get ready for A Road Trip To Amsterdam. Shout out to Shirley, I love her.
Photo courtesy of GrapeProductions
