Afroman, Because I Got High | 1 Hit WONDERful

In the 39th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2024), we highlight “Because I Got High,” the Grammy-nominated rap classic by Afroman. 

It only takes ONE hit to solidify a musical legacy 💯! On 1 Hit WONDERful, we highlight songs that were the SOLE hit by a given musician.  It is possible that the artists appearing on this list earned a minor hit or two, BUT for the most part, that ONE hit earned them recognition. So, in the 39^th edition of 1 Hit WONDERful (2024), we dive into “Because I Got High”,  the one-hit wonder by Afroman.

“‘Cause I got high / Because I got high / Because I got high / (La-da-da da da da-da-da-da).” Afroman (Joseph Foreman) earned brief success. His main claim to fame was his song, “Because I Got High”, released in 2001.  It would be the rapper’s sole entry on the pop charts, peaking at no. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Even though Foreman’s lack of other charting entries earns him one-hit wonder status, he earned a multiplatinum single with “Crazy Rap (Colt 45 & 2 Zig Zags)” sans the Billboard Hot 100. Notably, The Good Times, the gold-certified album which both “Because I Got High” and “Crazy Rap” hail from, peaked at no. 10 on the Billboard 200. “Because I Got High” cemented its place in 2000s hip-hop/rap history.  It was certified platinum and earned a Grammy nomination (Best Rap Solo Performance).

“Because I Got High” is self-explanatory – no deep analysis is necessary.  Because Afroman spends far too much time getting high (on weed), frankly, he does lots of dumb shit. It’s not so bad early on though: “I was gonna clean my room until I got high /… I was gonna get up and find the broom, but then I got high.” Not cleaning a room? Forgivable.  His academics are affected by his weed intake, which is less than stellar, hence why he’s “Taking it [the class] next semester” because he flunked.  Where things get hairier on this infectious, melodic rap cut is Afroman shirking bigger responsibilities.  Not going to court and paying his child support – DEAD BEAT DAD! Running from the cops instead of pulling over like he should, and because he was high, he ends up paraplegic… Process that one.  Among the funniest and lewdest happenings in “Because I Got High” occur in the seventh verse:

“I was gonna make love to you (Oh!) but then I got high

… I was gonna eat yo pussy too, but then I got high

Now I’m jacking off and I know why

‘Cause I got high

Because I got high

Because I got high.”

Damn, Afroman! At least he’s transparent when he asserts, “I messed up my entire life because I got high.” His mistakes are troubling but sweet music to our ears on the unforgettable “Because I Got High” which never grows old. This is a stoner anthem for the ages!

Afroman // The Good Times // Republic // 2001

Afroman, Because I Got High: 1 Hit WONDERful No. 39 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Republic; Elias Souza from Pexels; OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]