SOB’s, one of Manhattan’s premier hip hop venues, was smoked out on Wednesday, May 7 as Smoke DZA celebrated the release of his album Dream.ZONE.Achieve. Accompanied by Ken Rebel and CJ Fly on the bill and Hot 97’s DJ Relly Rell in between sets, it was a night of straight New York rap.
Things kicked off at 9:40 p.m. with Bedstuy’s Ken Rebel and his posse taking the stage. Within their short 15 minute set, the energy stayed high and Rebel took full attention of everyone in the club. A definite crowd favorite was his tribute to Biggie Smalls, as he spit relentless bars over the classic “10 Crack Commandments.”
After a quick DJ set from Relly Rell, CJ Fly from Pro Era was up next. Opening with “The Motto” followed by “Q&A” off his latest project Thee Way Eye See It, CJ’s smooth style was a nice contrast to Ken Rebel’s grittiness.
After the two songs, CJ Fly brought on the Pro Era crew (minus their most notable member, Joey Badass), to rock with him. The surprise appearance of the Pro Era collective, though somewhat anticipated, definitely did its job of exciting the audience. The presence of these young comrades complimented the energy and lyrics of the CJ’s songs, particularly in my personal favorite, “Loco Motives,” off of his TKTKTK mixtape.
After CJ Fly’s performance, the DJ launched into the standard rap concert shout-outs routine. First Dipset for Harlem, then Jay-Z for Brooklyn. Wu-Tang for Staten Island, Mobb Deep and Nas for Queens (though surprisingly, no love for the Bronx). Soon after, the lights turn green and purple as and the air is filled with the sounds of stoner anthems in preparation for the Kushed God. Blunts are lit, smoke also filling the air, and after one final spotlight on Relly Rell scratching Run DMC’s “Peter Piper,” Smoke DZA hits the stage at 11:15 p.m.
Smoke DZA opens his set with his latest single, “City of Dreams,” pacing back and forth on stage. His gold Bob Marley piece shines in the light and his black robe sways behind, giving him a larger than life appearance. Each time he is handed joints and blunts, he takes a long drag and the crowd cheer, rallying behind his “I don’t give a fuck” attitude.
At the start of “Marley and Me,” DZA pauses at center stage, reaches into his pocket, and pulls out a blunt which he then passes into the crowd. “If you book me, I hope you got the Fire Marshals right there/’Cause the Kushed God’s a non-smoking venue’s worst nightmare.”
DZA definitely stays true to what he raps about.
After a few more songs including “Personal Party,” “Continental Kush Breakfast,” and “Count Me In,” Smoke DZA starts “FHVT BVSTURD” before cutting it short halfway. To the delight of the audience, Joey Bada$$ makes a special guest appearance and the two finish off the song together.
By now it’s 11:45 p.m. and the club has turned into one enormous hotbox. DZA gives Joey the mic to perform a quick snippet of “Death of Y.O.L.O” with the rest of Pro Era hopping on stage. It’s a apparent crowd favorite as the club suddenly snaps out of its kush coma and jumps in unison. As the concert nears the end, Smoke DZA breaks out a bottle of Avion and passes it into the crowd. “I don’t usually drink so you all got to take a shot with me,” says DZA. “My name is Smoke DZA not Drink DZA.”
After a performance of “Err Thing Valid”, DZA brings out Bronx up and comer Al Doe to thug things up a bit with a few a capella bars on cooking crack and moving dope, fucking bitches and getting money, the whole shebang.
I guess the Bronx got its moment after all.
At the end of the night, DZA thanks the crowd for their support and is happy to meet with fans. He closed with “Obey Your Thirst” and reveled in the moment. It was finally DZA’s turn to step into the New York spotlight.
As the doors opened and people exited the club, the smell of marijuana spilled into the streets. It was evident that the Kushed God had blessed the building that night.