Track: Never Been - Wiz Khalifa (2010) กล่าวถึงสายพันธุ์ “Granddaddy Purple”
Track: Gorgeous - Kanye West (2010) กล่าวถึงสายพันธุ์ “Skunk”
West Coast’s OG Kush
ความคึกคักของวงการฮิปฮอปในแคลิฟอร์เนีย ทางฝั่งตะวันตกของประเทศสหรัฐฯ ที่สูบและร้องไรม์ถึง chronic ก็มีการแต่งและแร็ปถึงกัญชากันอย่างไม่ขาดสาย จากทางฝั่งใต้ Bay Area ขึ้นไปถึงเมืองซีแอทเทิลทางตอนเหนือ
Return of the Canna-King: Champelli, Randy Robinson
Best Songs about Weed, Complex
A History for the Blunted: How Weed Culture Evolved Through Hip-Hop by Anthony P
Married to Marijuana: Weed & Hip Hop Documentary
Great Moment in Weed History, Abdulla S. and DavidB.
What Are You Smoking? Leafy PodcastInterviews
In the 1990s, hip-hop artists in the United States pioneered the use of beats and rhymes to voice opposition against society and government. Their music echoed the unjust aggression by law enforcement towards people of color, shedding light on the hardships faced by those in slums and the underground life of the gangster underworld, as well as the involvement of cannabis and hard drugs.
The impactful rap music rode on resonating beats, paralleling the evolution in cannabis quality stemming from indoor cultivation and hydroponic systems. Strain selection and the expertise of cultivators improved significantly.
Through every bar of lyrical rap, the essence of cannabis was intricately woven into the songs. If you take notice, over 45% of hip-hop music tends to touch upon weed, whether it’s about rolling up or smoking up, hydroponic growth, distinct aromas, popular strain names, and more.
While the demands of beats, songwriting, rap style, and artist presentation evolve with time, one constant remains: the cultural connection between cannabis and hip-hop music.
From the Chronic to the Kush Explaining the grading and quality of cannabis largely remains non-standardized due to its legal status. Cannabis is still considered illegal in many places. Differentiating between low-grade and high-grade cannabis often comes from the hip-hop community, primarily artists, who help “grade” cannabis alongside slang terms used in their songs.
The names that rappers use to refer to good cannabis buds usually come with a playful nod to the nature of marijuana and the habits of its users. Hence, terms like “cheeba,” “hydro,” “dro,” “indo/endo,” “chronic,” “dank,” and even newer terms like “zaza” and “broccoli” have become part of the cannabis lexicon in hip-hop culture.
“I don’t mind being an advocate for weed. It’s not as bad as tobacco, alcohol or firearms, for that matter. There’s no reason it shouldn’t be legalized. You can make all kinds of stuff out of hemp. I think the cure for cancer’s probably in cannabis-who knows?” – Method Man
From rapping about top-grade buds with terms like “chronic” tied to Dr. Dre’s work on the 2001 album to the word “broccoli” or 🥦 as it’s often used in social media, hip-hop music has showcased the counter culture world that draws inspiration from marijuana to create an endless stream of artistic expressions.
As strain names started playing a role in songs, whenever a high-quality cannabis strain hits the market, rappers are often among the first to embrace it, incorporating it into their music and studio sessions. And if there’s a particularly outstanding strain in town, you can bet that rappers won’t be too far behind.
Even though many artists have come forward rapping about smoking high-quality, densely packed buds grown with care, the influx of new and unique hybrid strains has ignited a powerful trend within the rap and dealer community.
For Da Love of Da Weed The hip-hop music scene has garnered immense popularity on both the East Coast and West Coast of the United States. In this cultural battle between the two coasts, i’s not just about the music – it extends to even who possesses the most exceptional cannabis.
The legends of Oldschool strains often echo through hip-hop songs, creating a wave of connection among both cannabis enthusiasts and music lovers. Beyond these classics, renowned strains like Big Buddha Cheese referenced by Nas, have led listeners down a path of exploration through cannabis.
And it doesn’t stop there. Strains like DJ Short Blueberry, cherished and sold by local dealers, find their way into the lyrics of Ludacris. Even hydroponically grown strains like Chocolate Thai, mentioned by Dr. Dre, continue to leave their aromatic trail. The realm of hip-hop and cannabis also encompasses Granddaddy Purple, favored by Snoop Dogg, and the legendary Skunk#1, a hybrid pioneer.
Tracks
Nas’ “It Ain’t Hard To Tell” (1994) mentions “Buddha Cheese.”
Dr. Dre’s “Light Speed” (1999) references “Chocolate Thai.”
West Coast’s OG Kush In the hip-hop scene of California’s West Coast, artists and rappers from the Bay Area to Seattle passionately incorporate references to “chronic” in their lyrics, underscoring the strong link between hip-hop culture and cannabis. This trend has become a defining aspect of the genre, showcasing the significant influence of cannabis on the lyrics and lifestyle of the hip-hop community in California and beyond.
Artists like 50 Cent have ventured into rapping about Cali Bud and the premium strains available in California, such as Purple Haze, which is a sought-after hybrid strain that combines sativa and indica qualities.
Amidst the excitement surrounding emerging cannabis strains, OG Kush has also made a resurgence in popularity. This strain gained traction through the efforts of cultivators like Matt “Bubba” Burger of Bubba Kush fame in Florida and Josh D. in California, both of whom showcased the strain at various cannabis events and conventions.
OG Kush came from Kryptonite, Krippy, and Kushberry/Kush. However, as it gained popularity and became a favored high-grade cannabis strain, people started broadly referring to quality cannabis as “Kush.” The original group of cultivators took deliberate steps to distinguish their strain by adding “OG” (original) to its name, not directly linked to the Hindu Kush lineage on the Indica side. This move successfully propelled OG Kush to prominence in the California cannabis market.
The uniqueness of OG Kush lies in its characteristic of producing relatively small flower yields due to its sativa genetics. However, it boasts surprising and distinctive aromas and effects. Cultivators focused on quality rather than quantity, emphasizing meticulous cultivation, curing, and trimming practices. This strain shifted people’s perception to value the qualities of “show bud,” where the emphasis is on showcasing the exceptional attributes of each individual flower.
Tracks & Albums Kryptonite - Big Boi (2006) mentions the “dro” strain
Lil Wayne’s “Kush” (2008)
Gucci Mane’s “Kush Is My Cologne” (2009) refers to the “Bubba Kush” strain
Dr. Dre’s “Kush” (2010)
Wiz Khalifa’s “Kush & Orange Juice” (2010)
Another legendary strain in the Western side’s cannabis lore is Champelli, famed for its distinct aroma, flavor, and euphoric effects that aid in creative thinking. This strain gained prominence during the 90s-00s, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was even referenced in songs by artists like Mac Dre, The Jacka, and Snoop Dogg.
Joseph Rutherford, a cultivator of Champelli, suggests that the high quality of the cannabis strain he grew might be attributed to the circumstances of his cultivation. He had to conceal the marijuana plants from his parents in an underground room. During the light cycle manipulation of closing and opening lights, his plants encountered periods of intense darkness, which led to light deprivation. This process is crucial in producing high levels of resin and cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD).
Memphis Bleek’s “Everyday” (2000)
Mac Dre’s “Doin’ What I Do” (2001)
Beanie Sigel’s “I Don’t Do Much” (2001)
East Coast’s Sour Diesel
In the vibrant culture of the East Coast, especially in New York, a unique blend of lifestyles, hip-hop rhythms, blunt rituals, and poetic expressions converge. Amid this, strains like 'Sour Diesel' stand out for their distinctive essence – a potent aroma akin to diesel fuel. Its roots lie in the seed exchanges and stories shared among the city’s cannabis enthusiasts and cultivators, embodying the collaborative spirit of New York's cannabis scene.
“Sour Diesel” is the successful result of A.J.’s cultivation and phenotypic selection, where he skillfully blended Chemdog#91 seeds with enigmatic strains. A.J. explains that despite having consistent mother plants or genuine seeds, achieving uniform results remains challenging. This is due to the polygenic nature of cannabis genetics, which leads to variations in outcomes each time.
Genuine strain plants with the same three seeds have the potential for matching genotypes. However, they may exhibit varying phenotypes or distinct characteristics based on cultivation techniques and environmental factors like temperature and others, resulting in three different outcomes.
The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Beef” (2005)
N.O.R.E.’s “Sour Diesel” (2007)
The trade of premium cannabis strains in New York often hinges on dealers, who mostly have connections and often travel to acquire top-grade cannabis to sell within the music industry. The legendary 90s dealer ‘Branson’ is frequently mentioned in rap songs, narrating tales of high-quality marijuana. The quality of the cannabis is known to be exclusive to the city and is accessible only through them.
Many claim that Branson was the mastermind behind the high-quality cannabis strains enjoyed by artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, and Redman. They used his services and even rapped about the inspirational marijuana that fueled their creative lyrics during that era.
Redman’s “Da Journee” (1994)
The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Rap Phenomenon” (1999)
The intertwining history of cannabis and music has been a constant presence. Both in the realm of listeners and creators, this relationship is undeniable. Whether it’s to enhance musical experience or elevate lyrical inspiration, the connection between cannabis and music has always been present.
The culture of rap, from strain names to cannabis consumption, remains a tradition through which rappers convey their perspectives on cannabis, urging society to better understand it. In eras when cannabis was considered a harmful substance, rappers used their platform to challenge these views. Today, as attitudes towards cannabis evolve, many are becoming more open-minded about its use.
อ้างอิง
Behind The NYC Legend, Branson, Dad Reagans
Return of the Canna-King: Champelli, Randy Robinson
Best Songs about Weed, Complex
A History for the Blunted: How Weed Culture Evolved Through Hip-Hop by Anthony P
Married to Marijuana: Weed & Hip Hop Documentary
Great Moment in Weed History, Abdulla S. and DavidB.
