Smoke DZA’s stuck in an awkward rut with his timing.  While he’s firmly entrenched in the new wave of New York rappers, he ascended to relevancy a couple years before NYC really burst with Beast Coast, the A$AP Mob, and Roc Marciano/Ka.  Here’s the thing, though - DZA’s quietly been one of the strongest rappers of the last few years without the critical adoration that’s leveled on his contemporaries.  At the verly least, he’s clearly head, shoulders, and trademark beanie above Joey Bada$$, New York’s newest darling.  Don’t believe me?  Listen to him snatch Joey’s own song from under him with “Death of YOLO”: “International, my bread is well earned/L’s burned, smash hoes in Melbourne.”  Joey’s faults are another post in its own, but DZA’s verse here is a contender for verse of the year regardless of the verses sandwiching it

In fact, I’d argue he’s one of the top three rappers in New York’s new wave alongside Action Bronson and Roc Marciano.  The best case DZA has for that is 2012's Rugby Thompson, which slid under the radar as one of the year’s best. It’s hazy and blunted without drifting off thanks to one of the sharpest flows alive and liberal hi-hat usage, plus the Kushed God outmaneuvers Domo Genesis, fellow not-just-a-stoner-rapper.  But perhaps most importantly, DZA’s been rapidly improving even in the last year.  He’s been on an incredible run of features, stealing the show from Bada$$ and Big K.R.I.T. on “Underground Airplay” and recently seizing Willie the Kid’s “Goodness Gracious” from Willie’s newest mixtape. DZA’s more clever and versatile than Joey Bada$$, flows even better than the already smooth A$AP Rocky, and he’s more charismatic than Ka.  I’d argue the man doesn’t have a project of Reloaded or Rare Chandeliers caliber yet, but in this form it shouldn’t be long.