Smoke DZA is a Harlem native that grew up listening to and emulating fellow New Yorkers Jay Z and Notorious B.I.G. After dropping out of high school to pursue his music career, DZA began battle rapping and was discovered by Jonny Shipes of Cinematic Music Group in 2002. In 2002, he partnered to become one half of the group Smoke & Numbers until going solo in 2008. Since pursuing a solo career, DZA has had steady stream of releases including Substance Abuse, Substance Abuse 1.5, George Kush The Button, Rolling Stoned, Sweet Baby Kushed God, Cuz I Felt Like It, The Hustler's Catalog, and K.O.N.Y. Smoke DZA is a founding member of the Smokers Club. His album, Rolling Stoned was awarded the High Times Doobie Award for Hip Hop album of the year for 2011. In June 2012, Smoke DZA partnered with producer Harry Fraud for the album Rugby Thompson. In 2014, Smoke DZA announced his independence and formed his R.F.C. Music Group, releasing the album Dream.ZONE.Achieve. He closed the year with a collaborative album entitled The Outsiders released through R.F.C Music Group's partnership with iHipHop Distribution. The album showcased the R.F.C. crew, consisting of Al-Doe, NymLo, Blunstmoker, and producer 183rd.