10 Songs You Need to Listen to While Smoking Weed
April 20 marks a special day for anyone who enjoys the benefits of smoking marijuana since it's the annual day recognized as a pot holiday. Whether it's at a big event surrounded by a bevy of smokers, a smaller affair with a few friends or just rolling dolo, 4/20 tends to be the day when that sticky icky permeates the air even more followed by clouds of ganja smoke.
If there's anyone that is a big supporter of this day, it's usually rappers. Just listen to many of their lyrics and you'll realize a majority have been fans of 4/20 and the herb for decades. They have written albums about weed, centered videos around taking tokes of the marijuana smoke and share the recreational activity on social media. We're sure you've seen a few rappers even light up onstage at some point -- Drake did it for the first time last year.
And with all of the appreciation for the plant, many hit songs have been dedicated to cannabis. Perhaps some of most iconic of these examples is Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" and "How High" by Method Man and Redman. There are also tracks that have brought artists from various genres together -- namely the 2012 tune "Roll Me Up," which featured Snoop Dogg, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Jamey Johnson.
We decided to look through hip-hop and R&B's catalogs and put together a playlist that combines some more recent tracks from the new generations of smoking rappers and also threw in a few hits that we just can't ignore. So as you get ready to light up that blunt or bong or just want some music to vibe to, here are 10 Songs You Need to Listen to While Smoking Weed.
- 1
"Because I Got High"
AfromanNo list about smoking up would be complete without Afroman's 2000 hit song, "I Got High." Clearly the song speaks for itself and tells you just about every reason for anyone to light up a doobie. Last year, Afroman collaborated with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) and Weedmaps, a site that shows where the closest medicinal marijuana strains and dispensaries are, to revamp the song to give it a more positive twist. Watch the comical video -- complete with budsicles -- below.
- 2
"Marijuana"
Kid CudiKid Cudi may have quit smoking in 2011, but it wasn't before he dropped his 2010 album, Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager, which featured the track, "Marijuana." The rapper once loved the sticky green so much that he dedicated an entire song to praising its euphoric qualities. "Pretty green bud / All in my blunt / Oohh I need it / We can take off now / Oohh Marijuana, yeah / Pretty green bud / All in my blunt / Oohh I need it / We can take off now / Oohh I know you wanna / Smoke," he raps.
- 3
"Blueberry Chills"
Chanel West Coast Feat. Honey CocaineChanel West Coast has been very candid about her smoking habits. The rapper not only shared a blunt with Snoop Dogg at one point in her career but also got some tips from Wiz Khalifa about lighting up. Chanel chose to show her love for the smokers out there with her track "Blueberry Chills," a collabo she crafted with Honey Cocaine.
- 4
"Stay High"
Three 6 Mafia Feat. 8Ball & MJG and Young BuckIf you heard the first single off Three 6 Mafia's 2005 LP, Most Known Unknown, on the radio, you probably heard the same beat but different title. Due to its explicit nature, the group was forced to change their get lifted tune "Stay High" to "Stay Fly." Either way, 8Ball's verse on the song is a prime example of the process to smoking really good bud. "You ain't met no dude spit it cold as me / The bag of kush cost 650, have a n---- who smoke Reggie Miller / Coughin' and chokin' constantly / Taste like fruit when you hit it, gotta have bread to get it / Smoke all night, sleep all day / That's to me the American way / Roll that s---, light that s---, hit that s---, hold that s--- / Blow that s--- out slow, then pass it to me bro," he delivers.
- 5
"Brown Sugar"
D'AngeloAlthough the lyrics on D'Angelo's 1995 album, Brown Sugar, are centered on romance and relationships, the title track was actually him professing his love for weed. Personifying marijuana as a sexy woman, he sings about how "she" drives him wild. "Brown sugar babe / I gets high off you love / Don't know how to behave," the crooner sings.
- 6
"Young, Wild & Free"
Wiz Khalifa feat. Snoop Dogg and Bruno MarsWiz Khalifa is a member of the new generation of hip-hop's biggest smokers, with his own line of rolling papers and essentially lighting up wherever he pleases. The Pittsburgh, Penn. rapper teamed up with fellow smoker Uncle Snoop and Bruno Mars on "Young, Wild & Free," which celebrates youthful vibes, having fun and his favorite pastime -- smoking a joint. "Give me some 501 jeans on and roll joints bigger than King Kong's fingers / And smoke them hoes down 'till they stingers / You a class clown and if I skip for the day / I'm with you bitch smokin' grade A," Wiz rhymes.
- 7
"That Tree"
Snoop Dogg feat. Kid CudiSnoop Dogg and Kid Cudi will make you bounce to the quirky tune, "That Tree." Simply put, the song is about how they're succeeding in their respective lives despite smoking trees. While the lyrics are pretty solid on this one, the video is so entertaining you'll want to watch it over and over again. "I'm worldwide known, I'm a boss in the zone / I get it how I get it cause I can, I earn my spot / You see the plans, I'm just f---in' with my fans / I turned out to be the better man, important to life / You understand while I'm puffin' on this gram," Snoop spits.
- 8
"How to Roll a Blunt"
RedmanIf you're new to the rolling game, Redman's "How to Roll a Blunt" is the track to help you with that skill. Although following instructions in general can sound bland, the 1992 throwback beat and Redman's flow will have you bopping your head as your roll a doobie. "First of all you get a fat bag of ism / From uptown, any local store sells the s--- friend / Purchase a Phillie, not the city of Philly / Silly punk, I'm talking 'bout the s--- called the Phillie blunt / Lick the blunt and then the Phillie blunt middle you split / Don't have a razor blade, use ya f---in' fingertips," he raps. Sure, he's not giving step-by-step instructions but once you listen to the whole song, you'll learn all of Redman's tips.
- 9
"Legalize It"
Peter ToshThe legalization of marijuana in a number of states in the U.S. has been popping up left and right. It's only a matter of time before the entire nation will be accepting of a stoner's choice to blow it down without fear of being locked up. Back in the 1970s, smoking was popular but entirely illegal. So Peter Tosh wrote the song "Legalize It" to push for laws allowing people to smoke marijuana whenever they like. While the topic might be heavy, the reggae beat will be so relaxing that you'll get to your happy place in no time.
- 10
"Purple Swag"
A$AP RockyA$AP Rocky serves up lyrics about getting high on "Purple Swag," one of the earlier tracks in his catalog. The Harlem, N.Y.-bred MC doesn't only focus on sizzurp but also highlights his fondness for smoking on some purple grass. To give you more of a feel for the state he's in after lighting up, Rocky's flow is much slower, but we definitely get the gist of where he's going.