Hip Hop is just a hobby for some but for Smoke DZA, it is a way of life. Born and raised in Harlem, NY, DZA (real name Sean Pompey) was raised surrounded by music, though it wasn’t necessarily hip hop, “My first exposure to music was through my Dad.” He reflects, “He played his oldies every weekend and still does up to this day.” DZA was introduced to and fell in love with hip hop at a young age and began a journey that would lead him from dropping out of high school to being one of the hottest, most sought after unsigned rappers in the game today. “I was way too popular in high school,” DZA states, “ I used to battle everyone whether it be in the lunchroom or in front of the school. I was way more interested in that, than attending classes.” His early creative processes started where many rappers do, with the lyrical genius of Notorious B.I.G., “I remember learning all of Biggie’s verses, writing them down and making my own renditions of the songs. After I got out [of] that phase I started crafting my own songs like "History" where I spoke about destroying any rapper lyrically and I wrote a song called "Music On My Side" which was an ode to any artist that influenced me to do music. Jay-Z, Biggie, Big L etc.” As DZA’s focus and talent grew, he began to release mixtapes, like the early Respeconize and even formed a group with a childhood friend call “Smoke & Numbers” before striking out for solo success and Cinematic Music Group in 2005. Though his musical journey is not far removed from his early days in Harlem, DZA has recorded with the likes of Asher Roth, Big K.R.I.T., Devin The Dude and Curren$y to name a few. In the past two years he has released a steady stream of mixtapes to critical acclaim, Substance Abuse (2009), Substance Abuse 1.5: The Headstash (2010), and his most recent project, George Kush Da Button which is quickly making it’s way around the internet. DZA credits his longevity to creating laidback, honest music that people can vibe to and always staying true to the art of hip hop. With all of the disposable music threatening the culture of an art form he is trying to help preserve, Smoke DZA is a welcomed breath of fresh air that will make you grateful for the contact high.
Hip Hop artist based in Harlem, New York. Smoke Dza often references movies and marijuana with his slow laid back style of rap. His mixtape entitled "Substance Abuse" was released on December 1st 2009, Featuring: Devin the Dude, June Summers, Nipsey Hussle and many more. In the summer of 2010 he released another mixtape 'George Kush Da Button'
On April 11th he released another mixtape T.H.C. (The Hustler's Catalog)
Playground Legend
Smoke DZA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh, local superstars
Once was, but ain't get too far
Uh, wasn't humble enough to get in
Now you on the pine, playground legend
Uh, another playground legend
Uh, ain't get too far, playground legend
He was pretty advanced for a young nigga
His older brothers, they was in the streets
Feedin' him stories, he used to run with 'em
Little snot-nosed kid thinkin' he too hard
But he got props for killin' rappers in the schoolyard
Lil big mouth nigga
That could rap his ass off, never thought he'd be a loser
Rap-wise he was corner heavy
Started runnin' around like he on already
Ghetto to ghetto he had a little fame
Feelin' himself, turnin' to Eddy Kane
[Chorus]
Might've been the nicest nigga to handle the rock
Cross over to the block, hand to handin' the rock
Straight awol from his hoop team
One day he just woke up from his hoop dream
He used to mac with the hunnies
Play ball in other blocks, kill cats for the money
Til one day he watched Bronce tail in and try to turn into Sunny
Went on some bullshit in the corner niggas looked at him funny
Caused some static with some local dealers
Started carryin' ratchet knowin' you not a killer
Could've went to the A got him a max deal
Now he ridin' aside, got him a max bid
[Chorus]
Uh, another playground legend
Uh, ain't get too far, playground legend
In Smoke DZA's song "Playground Legend," the chorus repeats the phrase "playground legend" referring to local superstars who had talent but didn't humble themselves enough to progress. The song tells the story of a young rapper who is surrounded by his older brothers who are involved in the streets. While he was a "little snot-nosed kid," he had advanced skills for his age and was praised for his ability to rap. Despite being able to "kill rappers in the schoolyard," he was never humble enough and had a big ego, which prevented him from blossoming into a successful artist. He was as far as he could go in his local community and remained a "playground legend" that didn't reach his full potential.
The lyrics reveal that the rapper had other interests outside of music, such as playing basketball and hustling. He was so skilled at basketball that he was referred to as "the nicest nigga to handle the rock," but after being awol from his hoop team for some time, he gave up on his hoop dreams. He then turned to hustling and started carrying a ratchet, despite knowing he wasn't a killer. Ultimately, he missed his chance to maximize his potential as a rapper and basketball player and ended up with only the status of a "playground legend."
Line by Line Meaning
Uh, local superstars
People who were famous in the local area
Once was, but ain't get too far
People who were once famous in the local area, but did not achieve success beyond that
Uh, wasn't humble enough to get in
These people were not humble enough to succeed in life
Now you on the pine, playground legend
These people are now sitting on the sidelines, no longer in the spotlight, but once known as legends in their local area
Uh, another playground legend
Another person who was once famous in the local area
Uh, ain't get too far, playground legend
This person did not achieve success beyond being a local legend
Even though he was a dumb nigga
Despite his lack of intelligence
He was pretty advanced for a young nigga
He was skilled at a young age
His older brothers, they was in the streets
His older brothers were involved in criminal activity
Feedin' him stories, he used to run with 'em
They told him stories and he followed their lead
Little snot-nosed kid thinkin' he too hard
He was a young, arrogant, and aggressive kid
But he got props for killin' rappers in the schoolyard
He gained recognition for his ability to freestyle and win rap battles
Lil big mouth nigga
He was a brash and talkative person
That could rap his ass off, never thought he'd be a loser
He was talented at rapping and never considered the possibility of failing
Rap-wise he was corner heavy
His rap skills were focused in one area
Started runnin' around like he on already
He began living like he was already famous
Ghetto to ghetto he had a little fame
He was famous in different neighborhoods
Feelin' himself, turnin' to Eddy Kane
He became extremely confident in himself and his abilities
[Chorus]
Might've been the nicest nigga to handle the rock
He was very skilled at playing basketball
Cross over to the block, hand to handin' the rock
He began selling drugs in addition to playing basketball
Straight awol from his hoop team
He left his basketball team without warning
One day he just woke up from his hoop dream
He realized that his basketball career was not going to take him anywhere
He used to mac with the hunnies
He had a lot of female attention
Play ball in other blocks, kill cats for the money
He played basketball in other neighborhoods and did violent work for money
Til one day he watched Bronce tail in and try to turn into Sunny
He witnessed a friend get involved in a dangerous situation
Went on some bullshit in the corner niggas looked at him funny
He caused trouble in the neighborhood and people began to distrust him
Caused some static with some local dealers
He got into a conflict with drug dealers in his area
Started carryin' ratchet knowin' you not a killer
He started carrying a gun even though he was not violent
Could've went to the A got him a max deal
He could have had a successful basketball career and made a lot of money
Now he ridin' aside, got him a max bid
He is now living on the outskirts of society and in trouble with the law
[Chorus]
Uh, another playground legend
Another person who was once famous in the local area
Uh, ain't get too far, playground legend
This person did not achieve success beyond being a local legend
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind