Westleaf Staff
What's up Leafers? Welcome to the latest edition of On the Rise where we interview upcoming hip hop talent. Today's guest is rapper, DZE Like RZA. DZE hails from Phoenix, Arizona. The AZ based artist is a true MC when it comes to free styling, as his sound is gritty and raspy with the bars to match similar to DMX. We can definitely see DZE performing on stages such as Coachella or Rolling Loud. The rising MC just dropped a new single "Dark Man DZE" so we had to tap in with him. Check out the interview below. Westleaf Staff: What's up, DZE Your sound is fire! When did you start making music?
DZE Like RZA: I started out just writing pretty much.Little poems and random notes all over my notebooks and desk. Around 6th Grade I actually started writing raps and making songs; they used to let me rap on the school news in the mornings. I played the trombone for like a week too.
Westleaf Staff: That's dope! What city do you represent? DZE Like RZA: I'm from Phoenix. Born AND raised.
Westleaf Staff: Shout out to Phoenix. So how did you create your stage name? DZE Like RZA: When I say "DZE" people either think "Dizzy" or "D Z E" so I used to have to say it's DZE, like RZA. It had nothing to do with Wu-tang I just used RZA as an example of how my name was spelled and pronounced. Eventually I just add the "LIKE RZA" part to DZE, thus: DZE LIKE RZA. All caps.
Westleaf Staff: That's a dope name. So how did your early life shape your interest in music? DZE Like RZA: My moms was super strict growing up she didn’t want me listening to or watching anything that wasn’t PG. My big sister used to always pull up with the radio blasting so she exposed me to Hip-Hop pretty much. I remember she gave me one of her burned CDs & I would play the DMX and Busta Rhymes tracks on repeat!
Westleaf Staff: Dope! So who is your biggest Musical influence? DZE Like RZA: As of right now if I had to choose my biggest influence on my sound I would have to say a mix between ODB, Cole & Kirk Franklin... that'll make more sense when the EP drops.
Westleaf Staff: Dope! I feel that. Those are some legends. What's been the defining moment in your music career thus far? DZE Like RZA:Graduating from CRAS as an audio engineer and being able to record myself really allows me to do music how I've always wanted to.
Westleaf Staff: That's dope! So what makes you a unique artist? DZE Like RZA: I have a unique mind
Westleaf Staff: Dope! The mind is key. So what does art mean to you? DZE Like RZA: A way of expressing your imagination.
Westleaf Staff: That's deep! Where do you see your music career going over the next few years? DZE Like RZA: I definitely feel like I'm fully committed to the music now so I don't wanna put a cap on where I'm going to go, but me and the team will be competing with the top dogs of the industry I would say.
Westleaf Staff: I wish you much success! Before we go, describe music in three words. DZE Like RZA: Saved. My. Life.
Follow DZE Like RZA:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chiefdze/?hl=en
