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‘Don’t get too high’ with playlist “9 Aromatic, Smoky Songs,” which features music courtesy of 2 Chainz, Fetty Wap, Jhené Aiko, Logic and ZAYN. 

Sometimes, when a concept comes to mind ‘out of the blue,’ it’s pretty tough to give it proper label or title.  That’s sort of the case with this playlist.  Drugs are engrained in popular music across the board, particularly in urban contemporary and hip-hop.  While there are definite grounds for an ethical, moral debate on the pronounced ‘druggy’ nature of music, that’s not the role of this aromatic, smoky playlist in the least. This list explores two-handfuls of songs written about drugs, that are ultra-specific to marijuana. What does that mean? Well, each of the 9 Aromatic, Smoky Songs correspond with a specific strain of marijuana.  If you consider yourself a connoisseur, maybe the names instantly click. If your naïve, like myself, well, maybe you’ll be educated or perhaps be reminded just how sheltered you are/were.  Artists appearing on this list include 2 Chainz, Fetty Wap, Jhené Aiko, Logic, and ZAYN.

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1. Zayn, “Sour Diesel”

Sour Diesel – Single • RCA • 2018

“Like sour diesel (she burn, she burn she burn) / I can’t stop the feelin’ (she burn, she burn, she burn).” In case there was any question, yes, ZAYN is indeed comparing a woman to Sour Diesel, a strain of marijuana. “Sour Diesel” is completely different from anything the urban-pop singer has released up until this point. The record sounds like a mix of 80s R&B, pop, and rock – maybe even a bit of New Jack Swing thrown in as well.  Michael Jackson and Prince come to mind as influences, even if the execution of this particular song is imperfect, particularly considering those two icons. The lyrics are sexually-charged (not surprising), but interestingly eschew explicitness. There’s also overlap with ZAYN’s smoking habits as well: “Smokin’ some more, I’m in her space / She touches me there, then I do it again.”

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2. Lary Over, “Pineapple Express”

Ft. Jon Z & Farruko

El Wason BB • Carbon Fiber Music • 2018

In the 2008 film Pineapple Express, via IMDb, “A process server and his marijuana dealer wind up on the run from hitmen and a corrupt police officer after he witnesses his dealer’s boss murder a competitor while trying to serve papers on him.” The film, part of a successful run of comedies involving Judd Apatow in some capacity, stars Seth Rogen and James Franco.  Pineapple Express itself is a hybrid strain of marijuana, according to Leafly – see the connection? Anyways, Puerto Rican rapper Lary Over, assisted by Jon Z & Farruko, not only named the song at hand after weed, but likewise raps about smoking it throughout (mostly in Spanish of course).  “Sour diesel, Gucci, purple haze / Pineapple Express / No sé cual de to’as prender / No te conozco, no te vo’a vender.” Notably, there are references to the show Jackass, money, and expectedly, sex.

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3. Logic, “Indica Badu”

Ft. Wiz Khalifa

Bobby Tarantino II • Def Jam • 2018

“Riding ‘round the city with my homies, blowing trees / Wavy like the Seven Seas, living life, let me get it right.” Ah “Indica Badu” – one of the highlights from Bobby Tarantino II, the 2018 mixtape by Grammy-nominated rapper, Logic. “Indica Blue” benefits from its smooth, soulful sound, not to mention a respectable feature from Wiz Khalifa. What is Indica exactly? According to Leafly, Indica cannabis plants are “Known for their distinctive fat leaves and short flowering cycles, … are also relatively small in stature, often growing under six feet tall.”  According to Logic:

“I can’t get much higher, been smoking that fire / Riding ‘round the city with my homies that know me / Know that I can’t get much higher, word to my supplier / While you break it, roll it, light it, use that fire, ignite it.”

Pretty self-explanatory, right?

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4. Jhené Aiko, “Sativa”

Ft. Rae Sremmurd

Sativa – Single • Def Jam • 2018

“Sativa” – not a common name for a song.  For those wondering (or naïve, sheltered… not a ‘smoker’), sativa is a strain of cannabis. Jhené Aiko, with her cool, calm, and collected approach, is perfectly suited for this high-flying gem… Originally appearing on her 2017 album, Trip, the remix adds both members of Rae Sremmurd. Swae Lee delivers the chorus, with his signature, sweet, upper register vocals. He paints the sleek, sexy backdrop beautifully.

“Smokin’ weed out the container / We spend cash for entertainment / There’s more where that came from, that’s all I’m sayin’ / It’s me and you, and we makin’ arrangements / It’s you and me, and we makin’ arrangements.”

Once Aiko enters, she’s chill to the nth degree. Slim Jxmmi isn’t as mellow as his colleagues, contrasting by packing a bit more oomph on the third verse.

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5. Fetty Wap, “Strawberry Kush”

Bruce Wayne • 300 Entertainment • 2018

“Love it when I touch you, I can smell you in the air / I love how you love me, feel your love all the way over here.” Like “Sour Diesel” earlier, marijuana and love are mixed together. Fetty Wap focuses mostly on love on “Strawberry Kush,” despite referencing substance in the title. Literally, strawberry kush is a hybrid strain that can be described as “Strong and sweet…one well-rounded lady.” That definitely explains why Fetty Wap is so into her… his lover we assume.

“…I love how you love me got me feelin’ like you care / And the way I think aobut you evidently make it clear that / I want you forever, so forever I’ll be there / And I really meant forever, baby, not a couple years, baby.”

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6. 2 Chainz, “OG Kush Diet”

Pretty Girls Like Trap Music • Def Jam • 2017

“Sippin’ Quavo, ridin’ Offsets, guess I’m ‘bout to take off.” Ha – I see you 2 Chainz – I see you!  2 Chainz seems to enjoy his fair share of pot – understatement.  Not only has he battled Nancy Grace about it, smoked a gold-covered joint, or visited a weed dispensary in Las Vegas, he’s also rapped about it. One example of his musical relationship with a particular strain is “OG Kush Diet” (OG Kush).  Notably, “OG Kush Diet” is preceded on Pretty Girls Like Trap Music by “Blue Cheese” (featuring Migos), but doesn’t indulge into the Blue Cheese one might expect. While Chainz focuses mostly on money on “Blue Cheese,” he does reference smoking on “OG Kush Diet” – how could he not? “OG kush diet, OG kush diet / OG kush diet, OG kush diet / My partna just died, my partna just died / Nothin’ else to do but get high, f**k.” The thing is, despite being named after a hybrid strain of marijuana, “OG Kush Diet” doesn’t focus on smoking.  In the aforementioned line for example, he’s coping with the murder of friend Bankroll Fresh.

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7. $uicideBoy$, “Marlboros & White Widow”

Ft. Germ

Dark Side of the Clouds • G*59 Records • 2016

New Orleans duo $uicide Boy$ – $lick ($crim) and Ruby Da Cherry – have experienced their fair share of success on SoundCloud, also releasing music beyond the confines of the platform.  Dark Side of the Clouds was one of four projects released by the duo in 2016.  Among the notable songs from the project – “Marlboros & White Widow” featuring Germ.  Marlboro is a famous cigarette brand, while White Widow is “among the most famous strains [of marijuana] worldwide.” Leafly goes on to expound about the effects of White Widow: “A powerful burst of euphoria and energy breaks through immediately, stimulating both conversation and creativity.” Question: Does the $uicide Boy$ and Germ focus on smoking cigarettes and marijuana?  A variety of drugs (lean, PCP, pills) fuel the fire, as well sex.

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8. Danny Brown, “Kush Coma”

Ft. A$AP Rocky & ZelooperZ

Old • Fool’s Gold • 2013

“And I’m on walking on these clouds like marshmallows / Nodding off, smelling like rose petals / Zoning out, tow-three, like a fiend in hellfire and angel wings.” Yep, the ‘high is real’ for idiosyncratic rapper Danny Brown on “Kush Coma,” a highlight from his 2013 LP, Old.  While Brown isn’t specific in the title about strain, on the bridge he asserts, “Now I’m in a kush coma off the OG aroma.”  Perhaps he’s a fan of OG Kush, “cherished for its ability to crush stress under the weight of its heavy euphoria.”

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9. Ludacris, “Blueberry Yum Yum”

Ft. Sleepy Brown

The Red Light District • Def Jam • 2004

“Got a little bit of blueberry yum yum / And I never woulda thought that it could taste this good / Thank God for the man who put it in my hood / It’s got me singin’ melodies I never thought I would.”  Ludacris is rapping about Blueberry, where “The sweet flavors of fresh blueberries combine with relaxing effects to produce a long-lasting sense of euphoria.” Apparently, the Georgia rapper is totally into it and goes on to say “I’m feelin’ sorry for the homies who be smokin’ wood.”  In other words, he’s enjoying the good stuff.  The hook, performed by Sleepy Brown written by Future (before he blew up), is fantastic.

“Get your lighters, roll that sticky, let’s get higher (let’s get higher) / Got that blueberry yum yum and it’s that fire (it’s that fire).”

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Photo Credit: 300 Entertainment, Carbon Fiber Music, Def Jam, Fool’s Gold, RCA

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