Systems and methods for sending asynchronous messages include receiving, using at least one processor, at a node in a distributed graph, a message with a first value and determining, at the node, that the first value replaces a current value for the node. In response to determining that the first value replaces the current value, the method also includes setting a status of the node to active and sending messages including the first value to neighboring nodes. The method may also include receiving the messages to the neighboring nodes at a priority queue. The priority queue propagates messages in an intelligently asynchronous manner, and the priority queue propagates the messages to the neighboring nodes, the status of the node is set to inactive. The first value may be a cluster identifier or a shortest path identifier.