Over the last 30 years, rappers have mentioned, paid homage to, and warned against the pitfalls of drugs, from lean to Xanax. We used the Genius lyrics database to track drug trends through song lyrics. From Grandmaster Melle Mel in 1984 to Future in 2016, every artist referencing the drug of the moment is only a piece of a larger puzzle—a story told through rap. Standing on the shoulders of the women who came before her, Lil’ Kim didn’t just flaunt her lyrical skills and musical talent, but she also reveled in her sexual power and bold fashion style. Born in Long Beach, Snoop has always made a point to let listeners know about his Cali life. Released in 1993, Doggystyle was the first debut album to enter the Billboard 200 at the top spot.
- Police said they believe that people were going there to buy it and that some of the drugs were marketed toward high school to college-aged kids.
- But as the group began disbanding in the early ’90s, Ice Cube set out on a solo career, releasing albums like Amerikkka’s Most Wanted, Lethal Injection and The Predator with great commercial success.
- It might sound callous, but Jacob Thureson’s parents, Erik and Judy, were not too worried when they heard about his latest overdose.
- His first solo album, The Chronic in 1992, put the G-funk sound on a new level and proved he could do it alone.
The best rappers of all time include those like Lil’ Kim and Kendrick Lamar, who combine a lyrical know-how with a style that’s their own. Between critical acclaim, cultural influence, album sales, innovation in the genre and more, this list compiles the top 50 rappers of all time. Keep scrolling to reveal the rankings and read a bit about each artist. Last on our list of rappers who overdosed is the “Solcyboyz 2” rapper Big Scarr. He was at his girlfriend’s house in Memphis when he was found dead on December 22, 2022. His passing was attributed to an accidental prescription drug overdose.
How Hip Hop Has Redefined America’s “War on Drugs” For the Better
Now, he’s back on the road with his pals and bringing the hype to the stage without any serious drug problems. This South Florida boy’s had to struggle with more than just some “Ice Ice Baby.” Bro was feeling way down https://ecosoberhouse.com/ after his shameful exit from the spotlight, and in the mid-’90s, he turned to ecstasy, coke, and heroin. Ice actually tried to kill himself with a heroin overdose in ’94, but his friends found him and saved his life.
Roc Marciano’s name might not be as familiar to today’s youngest listeners, but he played a pivotal role in hip-hop during the late ‘90s and beyond. It was after these two group experiences that Marciano broke out into a solo career, which eventually cemented his status as a special figure in the genre. Rising to prominence in the early 2010s, Chief Keef put Chicago on the map in a whole new way.
Oneida man pleads guilty to gang-related drug charges after initially rejecting plea agreement
He may rap about blood and gore, but Tyler, the Creator says “no to drugs, I never spark it.” The Odd Future leader has a strict stance against drug use, despite being surrounded by it. Judging by his boundless energy and creative mind, he’s doing just fine without it. Grunge is also a member of The Opioid Era, named for their gritty, raw imagery and lyrics.
Erik Ritland is a songwriter, musician, journalist, and podcaster based in Nashville, Tennessee. He’s released over a dozen albums since 2002, most recently Old Dog Almost Gone (2021), the first-ever multimedia album, and his latest collection of all original material, A Scientific Search (2020). During his 15+ years as a music journalist, Erik has written hundreds of articles for Music in Minnesota, Something Else Reviews, his own blog Rambling On, and more. In addition to continuing his music career, Erik currently runs The Cosmic American, a music journalism website, and is the editor of Music in Minnesota. Singer, songwriter, and rapper Lexii Alijai also makes our list of rappers who overdosed. She died on New Year’s Day of 2020 due to a mix of alcohol and fentanyl poison.
Rappers Who Overdosed
Their 1998 debut album, Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star, is seen as one of the greats. But the Brooklyn-born artist also successfully went for a solo career. His first solo album Black on Both Sides (1999) is regarded as one of his standouts rappers on drugs in terms of displaying his artistic vision. Other songs he’s known for include “I Against I,” “Sunshine” and “Sex, Love & Money.” His legacy, especially as a conscious voice, continues to leave a strong imprint in the industry.
Through the years, various high-profile rappers have entered rehab for substance abuse or mental health problems. Since the 1980s, rappers have referenced substance use in lyrics. Others have expressed concern about drug culture, emphasizing the negative consequences, including addiction. While cocaine dominated the first half of the 2000s, another trend was brewing. Three 6 Mafia’s “Sippin’ On Some Syrup” and Big Moe’s City Of Syrup set the stage for hip-hop’s new drug of choice—lean.
Agregue un comentario