Smoke DZA Wants To Inspire Voters With His New EP 'We Outside'

"I wanted to use my voice as a different instrument and really do something with substance. Not to say that I don't do things with substance as it is, but it's a different kind of substance," Smoke DZA tells iHeartRadio. "This project in particular is focusing on the culture. What's happening in my community. What's happening to people around me. Some things may not personally directly affect me, so to speak, but it affects people around me, which affects me ultimately. So I wanted to use my voice and my influence in a way to rally people and get them moving for a bigger cause and not just standing on the soapbox pointing my finger saying, 'You should vote.' It's more so highlighting the reasons why you should."

Smoke DZA understands the frustration voters have been feeling recently because he's seen it firsthand. The 42-year-old rapper has gotten more involved with politics and has met with potential voters on both sides of the aisle. In 2024, DZA participated in the Vote or Else campaign spearheaded by Marvin Bing and Pastor Mike McBride. He appears on the outro of the cultural initiative's compilation project, Vote or Else, which also features Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Jay Electronica, and others. On his song "Touch The Ground," DZA repeats his grandfather's favorite quote, "Knowledge is power." He continues to offer more guidance and inspiration to those who are heading to the polls.

"America is in s**t right now," DZA explains. "The only way we can make change in some of these places is to vote and put other powerful people that's actually controlling the, I won't even say the narrative, but just in place to make a change by being empowered. First and foremost, if you are going to vote, I suggest that you educate yourself in the best way that you can. Speak to people that's actually well versed in the area of things that affect you: food inflation, ICE, deportation. It's a lot of things that are bigger than the presidential vote. It can all be changed. The change can start in your neighborhood, in your community."