Wale's WaleMania really returned in epic fashion
It’s no secret - Wale is a huge wrestling fan. The hip-hop veteran made sure to get into the WrestleMania mode by putting together an epic WaleMania at House of Blues in Dallas, Texas heading into the same weekend as the WWE’s biggest names went head to head.
It’s no secret - Wale is a huge wrestling fan. The hip-hop veteran made sure to get into the WrestleMania mode by putting together an epic WaleMania at House of Blues in Dallas, Texas heading into the same weekend as the WWE’s biggest names went head to head.
WaleMania is back-back
After mounted anticipation, Ralph Folarin hit the green light on having friends and fellow wrestlers pull through for an unforgettable celebration. The line-up included everyone from wrestling fanatics like Griselda’s Westside Gunn and Smoke DZA to the 7-foot brawler Omos ahead of his bout with Bobby Lashley.
On Thursday, March 31st, after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Walemania re-emerged partnering with Spotify to kick off a weekend showcasing the immortals. Led by Wale and hosted by Kazeem Famuyide, a mega mashup of wrestlers and hip-hop stars filled the House of Blues, in Dallas, Texas. Foot Locker teamed up with Walemania to sell a recurring series of merchandise catered for the show at an onsite pop-up shop. This was a unique leveled-up merch experience. Wrestling superstars in attendance included Montez Ford from The Street Profits and Angelo Dawkins kicked off the show with stellar dance moves to New Edition. Even Mr. Pay-Per-View Rob Van Dam with his wife and fellow wrestler Katie Forbes joined some of the rappers on stage.
One of the best moments might have come in the form of Wale delivering ‘Lotus Flower Bomb’ to the masses.
The House of Blues witnessed Westside Gunn, Smoke DZA, Yella Beezy, and DJ Poizon Ivy shut down the venue with main-event-level performances. Swerve Strickland from AEW pulled up to the party and shut it down with his own performance. Fans saw the giant Omos rap Jay-Z’s Public Service Announcement with such flair that wooed the crowd. There was a surprise guest appearance from AEW’s TBS Women's Champion Jade Cargill on stage with Wale as he performed one of his popular songs Lotus Flower Bomb.
Even bigger and better things on deck for ‘23
It’s only going to get crazier in the years to come. Plans are currently set for WaleMania to go down in California 12 months from now.
In wrestling, there’s this term known as the “forbidden door,” notably coined by AEW’s Owner Tony Khan. The vernacular relates to how certain businesses or wrestling worlds would not want to work or intersect with each other. Walemania is not just an event. It’s an annual statement that kicks down the forbidden door and brings stars from all possible wrestling companies to step into the ring with hip-hop culture to become a powerful tag team. It’s an eye-catching tag team with all the gold chains and gold title belts in attendance that would even impress The Bad Guy Razor Ramon. Next year, Walemania is set to be in Hollywood. If Thursday can be an indicator of how next year’s Walemania would go, it’ll continue an undefeated streak of stellar collaborations and performances
Endless WaleMania moments
There’s currently tons of footage circulating online showing just how much fun WaleMania turned out to be. From Wale performing ‘No Hands’ to The Street Profits pulling through, it was an event to remember.
Smoke DZA's 'Driplomatic Immunity' is - finally - streaming
I won’t lie - when it comes to Smoke DZA’s music, it’s hard not to be impatient. The Kush God has come through with his much-needed new Driplomatic Immunity album and it’s pure Harlem vibes.
I won’t lie - when it comes to Smoke DZA’s music, it’s hard not to be impatient. The Kush God has come through with his much-needed new Driplomatic Immunity album and it’s pure Harlem vibes.
Smoke DZA’s ‘Driplomatic Immunity’ album is now streaming
After some mounted anticipation, DZA has hit the green light on dropping his album to the masses. The EP follows his recent Real Bad Man collaborative project and is non-stop repeat mode nice.
After recently teaming up with Real Bad Man for the collaborative drop Mood Swings, Smoke DZA is back with his RFC Crew Nym Lo & 183rd to present Driplomatic Immunity. “When I locked in with my brothers (Nym Lo & 18rd) to do this project I wanted to give the world the best representation of what uptown sounds and looks like in just eight songs” DZA asserted. “We represent of the heart of the hustlers... this is Driplomatic Immunity.” Driplomatic Immunity is now available at all DSP’s and the lone guest appearance on the project is courtesy of Rome Streetz.
And ‘Trust Issues’ is a must-see, too
It’s not just the new album to celebrate. Smoke DZA has also come through with the visual treatment for his new ‘Trust Issues’ video.
Along with the new EP, DZA also released a new visual for “Trust Issues,” which can be viewed below.
Smoke DZA's new 'Driplomatic Immunity' album is officially on deck
Harlem’s own Smoke DZA isn’t settling down after dropping new music. The hip-hop veteran is already reloaded with his new Driplomatic Immunity album preparing to drop in the coming days.
Harlem’s own Smoke DZA isn’t settling down after dropping new music. The hip-hop veteran is already reloaded with his new Driplomatic Immunity album preparing to drop in the coming days.
Smoke DZA’s ‘Driplomatic Immunity’ album is dropping
Barring any setbacks, the Kush God’s newest studio effort is set to arrive next Friday. To celebrate the big announcement, DZA has also put out a new tune.
Smoke DZA recently teamed up with producer Real Bad Man (who most recently released his collaborative project, Real Bad Boldy, with Boldy James in 2021) to bring you their collaborative drop Mood Swings. DZA & RBM have just released a new video from the project “Run It,” which you can view below.
In addition, DZA also announced a new project, Driplomatic Immunity, with his RFC crew members Nym Lo & 183rd, which will be released on 3-4-22, and with it, they released the project’s first single “Trust Issues.” Driplomatic Immunity’slone guest appearance comes from Rome Streetz.
DZA hypes up his new studio album
With Driplomatic Immunity on deck, Smoke’s already issued a statement about the motivation behind putting it together.
“When I locked in with my brothers (Nym Lo & 18rd) to do this project I wanted to give the world the best representation of what uptown sounds and looks like in just eight songs” DZA asserted. “We represent of the heart of the hustlers... this is Driplomatic Immunity.”
Smoke DZA and Real Bad Man’s ‘Run It’ music video
Just in time for new music Friday, DZA and his longtime pal Real Bad Man put out their ‘Run It’ visual to the masses.
Smoke DZA's 'Mood Swings' album is officially streaming everywhere
New York rapper Smoke DZA has come through clutch on a new music Friday with his much-needed Mood Swings album. Just days after teasing the project’s existence, the Kush God’s latest studio project is officially streaming to the masses and comes packed with heat.
New York rapper Smoke DZA has come through clutch on a new music Friday with his much-needed Mood Swings album. Just days after teasing the project’s existence, the Kush God’s latest studio project is officially streaming to the masses and comes packed with heat.
Smoke DZA’s new Real Bad Man project Mood Swings is here
DZA made sure to come correct on his newest project with help from producer Real Bad Man - who actually recently put out his Real Bad Boldy album alongside Detroit’s own Boldy James. The seven track project is completely produced by Bad Man with guest spots courtesy of artists like Remy Banks and Nym Lo.
“Mood Swings came about in a very natural way. I’d been a fan of Smoke for a minute and wanted to work with him. I had some tracks in mind that I thought he’d sound great over, he’s got such a distinct vocal tone that I wanted the beats to compliment that tone sonically” Real Bad Man lamented. “I sent over beats and we started recording right away. I wanted this project to be quintessential Smoke DZA, just through my lens.”
In addition to Real Bad Man weighing in, DZA also spoke on the project coming together.
“I was going through a lot of different emotions during the pandemic. Being legally able to sell weed on the west coast was inspiring” Smoke DZA confessed. “Badman and I created this project during that, and because his beats were so dope, Mood Swings became a perfect title for the project.
The new ‘Casualties’ music video hits hard, too
It’s bigger than just a new album. To celebrate the project’s rollout, Kush God has also hit the green light on dropping his new ‘Casualties’ music video.
The Mood Swings tracklisting
Even though the album is only seven tracks deep, each one hits hard. The project officially clocks in at just over 20 minutes.
Dearly Beloved Feat Flee Lord
Last Of The Mohicans
Extra Cool Feat Nym Lo
Run It
Ken Patera Feat Knowledge The Pirate & Remy Banks
Casualties
Live At The Speak Easy Feat OT The Real
Smoke DZA's new 'Run It' anthem is here with an album to follow
The Kush God is back! Harlem’s own Smoke DZA is back-back on his music grind - as if he ever stopped - and comes through with both his new ‘Run It’ single and news of dropping a much-needed Mood Swings album in 72 hours.
The Kush God is back! Harlem’s own Smoke DZA is back-back on his music grind - as if he ever stopped - and comes through with both his new ‘Run It’ single and news of dropping a much-needed Mood Swings album in 72 hours.
Smoke DZA’s ‘Run It’ hits hard and new album drops this week
DZA relied on media conglomerate Complex to bless the world with his newest audio gem. The song hits completely from beginning to end and comes courtesy of producer Real Bad Man.
Smoke DZA teams up with producer Real Bad Man (who most recently released his collaborative project, Real Bad Boldy, with Boldy James in 2021) to bring you their brand new collaborative drop Mood Swings, which will be released on 2-4-21. The new seven track project is entirely produced by Real Bad Man and also includes features from Flee Lord, OT The Real, Knowledge The Pirate and Remy Banks. Today, Complex premiered the first sample from the project, “Run It,” along with the project announcement, release date, tracklisting and artwork for Mood Swings.
Smoke DZA’s love for cannabis inspired the new anthem
With Mood Swings dropping in the next few days, DZA’s making it no secret to how the record came together.
“Being legally able to sell weed on the west coast inspired me to create this record during the pandemic” Smoke DZA commented to Complex. “The beat told me everything to do.”
And here’s the Mood Swings album tracklisting
Don’t expect this to clock in at more than an hour but the seven-track project will still be well-received and much-appreciated by every true Kush God fanatic.
Mood Swings TRACKLISTING
Dearly Beloved Feat Flee Lord
Last Of The Mohicans
Extra Cool Feat Nym Lo
Run It
Ken Patera Feat Knowledge The Pirate & Remy Banks
Casualties
Live At The Speak Easy Feat OT The Real