Cannabis and hip-hop are deeply intertwined. When listening to fire tracks while growing hash marijuana seeds, you may hear some stoner rap bars. Have you ever wondered why these stars spit so much about the green?
We’ve got the whole jug of tea on why hip-hop artists love weed and where the relationship started. We also reveal the most prominent figures in the cannabis-meets-rap world.
The History of Cannabis and Hip-Hop
In the late 1980s, when hip-hop covered some highly controversial topics, cannabis wasn’t mentioned. Although rappers spoke openly about alcohol, weed was still a sensitive subject.
At that time, smoking the herb wasn’t seen as cool. Some painted it as a hippie, Baby Boomer thing to do (far from gangster).
Fans suspect that old-school rappers smoked cannabis but were nervous about discussing it due to the legal and social implications.
Then in 1992, Dr. Dre released The Chronic, featuring famous weed-lover Snoop Dogg. This album screamed pro-pot because:
- Dre named it after potent buds grown from cannabis seeds in California.
- The album art drew inspiration from Zig-Zag rolling papers.
- Snoop Dogg features in and heavily inspired the record (Do we even need to say more?).
The Chronic opened dialogue for cannabis use. Sen Dog explained, “I think marijuana/weed was always part of the culture; it was just underground.” This album was a chance for rappers to speak up for the herb and paved the way for weed culture in hip-hop.
Rappers’ Views on Marijuana vs. Other Substances
Cocaine is arguably one of the most discussed drugs in Hollywood, and it was a problem in many rappers’ hometowns.
Tyler the Creator’s song “48” spits, “Crack fucked up the world, and I wonder if they realized the damage.”
In Snoop’s banger “Left My Weed,” he says, “No weed in the party, all bad I’m in the parking lot, headed to the whip, ’cause now this party ain’t shit.” Many rappers portray cannabis as a fun, celebratory substance, highlighting its ability to uplift the mood.
Key Players in the World of Hip-Hop and Cannabis
The hip-hop world is diverse; creators have unique spitting styles and favored topics. Some rappers are political lyricists like 2Pac, while others are more humorous, like Lil Dicky. Not all artists from this genre rap about cannabis or use it, but there are a few pivotal figures.
Here are four notable artists who advocate for marijuana:
Snoop Dogg
No list of top weed lovers or rappers is complete without the OG, Snoop. He talks about it in most songs and is almost always pictured holding a fatty.
He also has a cannabis collection called Leafs By Snoop. The “Smoke the Weed” rapper is single-handedly responsible for renaming Cush to Green Crack. He’s an icon and pioneer in the hip-hop and pot scene.
2 Chainz
Fans of the “I’m Different” rapper know that he loves weed and has a surprisingly high tolerance. He recently teamed up with CampNova, a Black-owned cannabis lifestyle platform.
Catch him on the hit series Most Expensivest when he’s not in the studio making fire tracks. Many entertaining episodes document his bougie weed experiences, from 5-star-infused meals to $50k blunts.
Wiz Khalifa
This multi-talented rapper has always been open about weed use and promoting stoner culture. Recently he’s become more involved in the cannabis industry.
His game Wiz Khalifa’s Weed Farm shows you the process of growing crops. It inspires marijuana lovers with nifty things to know to grow your own weed. He also owns a premium pot brand, “Khalifa Kush,” stocking his favorite strains.
Jay Z
One of the most influential hip-hop artists, Jay-Z, is in the cannabis industry, and his line Monogram is booming. He prefers to enjoy his weed behind closed doors, so he doesn’t flex about smoking as much as other rappers do.
His brand sells premium weed cultivated on Jay-Z’s farm. It even sells luxury hand-rolled blunts.
Rappers on the Medicinal Effects of Weed
Outside of typical stoner rap, artists open up about how cannabis helped their struggles or touch on its medicinal uses.
In “Mary Jane,” Scarface says, “When you sad, depressed, and feeling strange? Who you blame. Need some company to keep you sane? Call her name Mary Jane.”
Scarface’s words speak to people who use cannabis for mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. It also explains his reason for using weed; as a pick-me-up and something to keep him “true to game.”
Everybody knows the Afroman jam, “Because I Got High,” but did you know there’s a remix? The new version has a positive spin: Weed won’t make you fail a class or not pay your child support.
Instead, Afroman says, “I had problems with glaucoma, but then I got high,” and “I used to take Xanax, but then I got high.” It shows the plant’s possible medicinal benefits and potential to help overcome an addiction problem.
Will Cannabis Remain the Choice Drug for Hip-Hop Artists?
New stars like BIA and Coi Leray talk about how cannabis helps them improve their craft and relieve anxiety. These rising singers are paving the way for more artists to be candid about marijuana use.
How do rappers get away with smoking weed? With more states legalizing marijuana, artists can speak freely about their love for the herb, and they do. Newer stars release tracks spitting on marijuana use, like Baby Tate’s “Cozy Girl.”
We’d say cannabis has a high chance of remaining a choice drug for hip-hop creators.
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