Hailing from Detroit with a chip on his shoulder, FMB DZ is a master of no-nonsense hustler talk. Emphasizing his authenticity as he takes a trip to the West Coast, DZ shares “Starting 5,” his new music video. Rhyming over rippling pianos and propulsive 808s, DZ unspools a series of nonchalant flexes that sound both enviable and effortless at the same time: “All I sip is codeine, you can keep a Moet/Pop a bottle pour it out to get the flo’ wet.” In the Stache House Productions-directed video, DZ brings Detroit swag to the Bay Area, strengthening the long-standing connection between the two regions, rocking his Cartier buffs as he strategizes in the EMPIRE offices and pontificates in the city streets.

“Starting 5” is the latest single from the upcoming P Rock Baby, DZ’s next project. Named after the neighborhood he grew up in–P Rock, short for Plymouth Road–in Eastside Detroit, an unassuming neighborhood that helped him develop the quick wits and hard lessons that enabled his hustler mentality. Though it’s rooted firmly in Detroit, the expansive album welcomes sounds from all regions, particularly from the West Coast where the project was recorded. Home to recent singles like the hard-charging “Mo Money Mo Problems“ and the glistening “The Show,” the P Rock Baby project arrives soon via Fast Money Boyz / EMPIRE.

Emerging in the mid-2010s, FMB DZ quickly took his place at the vanguard of the ascendant Detroit scene. He earned national recognition for his The Gift mixtape series, and made an impact with standalone projects like In My Bag and I Ain’t Gone Lie. Buoyed by local hits like “Hold Me Down” ft. GT and “DrippleDragons” ft. Sada Baby, DZ earned praise from the likes of XXL, HYPEBEAST, and The FADER, who praised him for combining “clever wordplay, and a natural ear for beats, with sobering storytelling.” In 2022, DZ shared his 16-song mixtape Back On Track, which featured guest spots from Louie Ray, Rmc Mike, Skilla Baby, and frequent collaborator Sada Baby.

With P Rock Baby on the way, FMB DZ continues to make waves in Detroit and beyond. Stay tuned for much more from the young OG in the near future.

Stream “Starting 5”: https://music.empi.re/starting5