The High is Real on These 13 ‘High-Flying’ Anthems | Playlist

For musicians such as Chris Stapleton, Kid Cudi, and Snoop Dogg, “the high is real” on this playlist filled with literal high-flying anthems.

“The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).” This is no biblical playlist, but the key part of that person, translated as “There’s nothing new under the sun,” is pertinent to this playlist.  For years, songs have been written capturing love and sex, money, and drug use.  Of the latter, the number of popular songs that capture a high seem infinite.  Rappers, country musicians, and rockers alike have proven that the high is real.  Chris Stapleton, Kid Cudi, and Snoop Dogg are just a few musicians appearing on this playlist filled with literal “high-flying” anthems.

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1. Logic, “Indica Badu” (Ft. Wiz Khalifa)

Writers: Arjun Ivatury, Cameron Jabril Thomaz, Kevin Randolph, Khalil Abdul-Rahman, Sir Robert Bryson Hall II « Producers: 6ix, DJ Khalil & Kevin Randolph

Bobby Tarantino II • Def Jam • 2018

“Indica Badu” serves as one of the highlights from the 2018 Logic mixtape, Bobby Tarantino II. “Indica Blue” benefits from its smooth, soulful sound, not to mention a respectable feature from Wiz Khalifa. What is Indica exactly?  It is a cannabis strain. According to Leafly, the plant is known for “distinctive fat leaves and short flowering cycles.”

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2. Jhené Aiko, “Sativa (Ft. Rae Sremmurd)

Writers: Brian Warfield, Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo, Khalif Brown & Maclean Robinson « Producer: Fisticuffs

Sativa – Single • Def Jam • 2018

It’s a rarity when a song is titled, “Sativa”. Like the aforementioned indica, sativa is a strain of cannabis. The cool, calm, and collected approach of Jhené Aiko is perfectly suited for this high 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.” – Swae Lee

Once Aiko enters, she’s chill to the nth degree. Slim Jxmmi contrasts, packing a bit more oomph on the third verse.

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3. Chris Stapleton, “Them Stems”

Writers: Chris Stapleton, Jimmy Stewart & Shawn Camp « Producers: Chris Stapleton & Dave Cobb

From a Room, Vol. 1 • Mercury • 2017

“Them Stems” shines, thanks to being utterly unapologetic. How is Chris Stapleton unapologetic? He’s been smoking “them stems” – those left-handed cigarettes.

“This morning I smoked them stems

Yeah, that’s the kinda shape I’m in

I’m in a bad, bad way again

‘Cause this morning I smoked them stems.”

By far, “Them Stems” is the most fun joint (no pun intended) on From a Room: Volume 1.  Glorifying drug us is never advised. Nonetheless, there’s an undeniable infectiousness about Stapleton’s situation. Schadenfreude of sorts?

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4. Toby Keith, “Wacky Tobaccy”

The Bus Songs • Show Dog • 2017

Over the years, Toby Keith has proven he has quite the sense of humor. Keeping things fun and loose on his new album, The Bus Songs, in addition to being the “Shitty Golfer” that he is, he also sings about “Wacky Tobaccy”. Naturally, he isn’t singing about cigarettes, but marijuana. “Wacky Tobaccy” is tongue-n-cheek to the nth degree.  Keith knows his “wacky tobaccy,” detailing it like a champ on the third verse.

“You got your Mexican and Jamaican with those buds of blue

Humboldt County and Hydroponic too

Okeechobee Purple from down in the south

And that ol’ stuff your uncle smokes ‘ill give you cotton mouth…”

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5. Machine Gun Kelly, “Wake + Bake”

Writers: Colson Baker, Edgar “JV” Etienne & Harmony David Samuels « Producers: Edgar “JV” Etienne & Harmony “H-Money” Samuels

Bloom • Bad Boy / Interscope • 2017

Cleveland rapper Machine Gun Kelly seems to exemplify his “Wild Boy” status on the unapologetic “Wake + Bake.”  The sophomore cut on his third studio album, bloom, the only substance within the record itself is, well, J’s, and we’re not talking jump shots! Otherwise, it’s devoid of depth.  A great supplement to this faded joint is “Can’t Walk,” which appears near the end of the album’s track list (“I been f**ked up for the last two days straight”).

“Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up
Brush your teeth and light the J up
Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up.”

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6. JoJo, “Edibles”

Writers: Hayley Warner, Joanna Levesque, Jussi Karvinen & Justin Tranter « Producers: Jussifer

Mad Love. • Atlantic • 2016

“If you wanna come eat edibles…” Sigh, if only the word edible simply meant what is supposed to mean: “fit to be eaten”. But that’s not the way the world works these days, as the age of innocence has been stripped.  Now, the first thing that comes to mind with the word edible or plural “Edibles.,” like the JoJo song at hand is “any edible product that contains THC.”  By the way, THC is tetrahydrocannabinol.  Indeed, “Edibles” encompasses a high. It also encompasses sex:

“Do some freaky shit, incredible

I’m your girl, I’m your girl…”

The weed references, coupled with sex, are amplified on the bridge:

“Green candies melting us together

I feel higher up than Fenway Park

Is it your fingers giving tingles or this

Hydroponic daily spark?

Meet me in the dark

I need you here 10 PM sharp…”

A year prior to “Edibles.,” Snoop Dogg recorded his own song, “Edibles”, assisted by T.I. Apparently, he has a line of marijuana goods…

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7. DRAM., “Broccoli” (Ft. Lil Yachty)

Big Baby D.R.A.M. • EMPIRE / Atlantic • 2016

“In the middle of the party, b*tch, get off me
In the cut, I’m rollin’ up my broccoli
Yeah, I know your baby mama fond of me
All she want to do is smoke that broccoli.”

Veggies have NEVER sounded so appetizing until DRAM came along, sigh. “Broccoli” gave the Virginia rapper-singer a breakthrough hit. Additionally, he received a Grammy-nomination! Aside from an assist by Lil Yachty who drops an insensitive Columbine reference, “Broccoli” delivers quite the high: excellent production set in a major key and positive vibes.

“Ain’t no tellin what I’m finna be on

I’m beyond all that f**k shit…”

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8. Rob $tone, “Chill Bill”

Writers: Antonio Carrillo, Bernard Herrmann, Javan Davis & Jaylen Robinson « Producer: Purpdogg

Chill Bill – Single • RCA • 2016

“And I’m smokin’ on that widow when you see it out the window
Got a dusty old tee, lookin’ bummy, leave it simple.” – Spooks, Verse 3

Rob $tone had one of the hottest rap singles of 2016 on his hands with “Chill Bill”. Featuring infectious production work, led by a whistle sample with a long history, this high-flying anthem is something else. Spooks references White Widow in the aforementioned excerpt from the third verse.  Even so, it is the hook that is the centerpiece, alluring in the shallowest way possible.

“Said she wanna roll with me and smoke up all my weed

I said baby just buy dutches ‘cause you can’t smoke for free

I got some loud but no money babe buy me a Fiji

She said you need a job, b*tch f**k a job I still get cheese.”

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9. 2 Chainz, “100 Joints”

Collegrove • Def Jam • 2016

“No matter what they say I smoke 100 joints a day
Laying by my chopper, chopper laying by my safe.”

Essentially, “100 Joints” is one faded occasion for 2 Chainz.  Joints are the focus, but the southern rapper formerly known as Tity Boi makes room for lean (purple drank) as well.  For good measure, he also references his chopper, adding violence to the high-flying occasion.

“Pull your b*tch when I want her
Marijuana in the joint
Codeine in a Styrofoam, that’s getting to the point.”

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10. Snoop Dogg, “Kush Ups” (Ft. Wiz Khalifa)

COOLAID • Doggy Style / Entertainment One • 2016

“My weed man got the hook up
Rolling up another pound every time you look up
Big-ass joints, them ones that leave you shook up
So much weight that now I’m doing kush ups.” – Wiz Khalifa, Hook

As the title suggests, “Kush Ups” is a big-time, Kush anthem.  No questions asked.  Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa make a formidable pair when it comes to smoking (see Mac and Devin Go to High School). On the first verse of the record, Snoop Dogg raps:

“… Smoke a zone with my pen pals
In my neighborhood, flavor’s good, roll up, put some papers to it…
Get my lift on, while get my spliff on, fo sho
Break bad, stay cool, way cool, roll a doob
Old school, paid my dues, spray these fools, ladies drool.”

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11. The 1975, “Chocolate”

Writers: ADAM HANN, George Daniel, Matthew Healy & Ross MacDonald « Producers: Mike Crossey & The 1975

The 1975 • 2013

“Now we run, run away from the boys in the blue
And my car smells like chocolate.”

Chocolate in the context of the song “Chocolate” isn’t referring to M&Ms, Snickers, or any other candy bar.  No, in the hands of Matt Healy and The 1975, the band is referring to Mary Jane.  In the aforementioned line, Healy has been smoking in the car, and is running away from the police (“boys in the blue”).  He goes on to sing:

“Hey now we’re building up speed as we’re approaching the hill
Oh my hair smells like chocolate
Hey now you say you’re gonna quit it
But you’re never gonna quit it.”

Essentially, the smoking in the car continues, with the distinct smell in his hair, and despite saying he’s going to stop, he’s not really ever going to quit.

“Now you’re never gonna quit it
If you don’t stop smoking it
That’s what she said.”

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12. ScHoolboy Q, “Collard Greens” (Ft. Kendrick Lamar)

Oxymoron • Interscope • 2013

“Kush be my fragrance, we love marijuana

Function on fire, burn the roof of this motherf**ker.”

From the opening groove to the gimmicky, infectious hook, “Collard Greens” is quite distinct.

“Oh, oh luxury

Chidi-chidi-ching could buy anything, cop that

Oh, oh, collard greens

Three degrees low, make it hot for me drop that.”

With an ideal tone and compelling flow, ScHoolboy Q is on autopilot. Kendrick Lamar captivates on the second verse, providing Spanish and gun sound effects among many other things.  Stoners can relate to the high of “Collard Greens,” as well as rap enthusiasts who don’t partake of wacky tobaccy.

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13. Kid Cudi, “Marijuana”

Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager • Universal Motown • 2010

“Pretty green bud all in my blunt, oh, I need it
We can take off, yeah, ooh, marijuana, yeah
Pretty green bud all in my blunt, oh, I need it
We can take off, yeah, ooh, I know you wanna, smoke.” – Hook

Marijuana plays a big role in Kid Cudi’s music – understatement.  No, perhaps he doesn’t get as high musically as Snoop Dogg or Wiz Khalifa, but the weed is an essential part of the script. He practically confirms this on the first verse of “Marijuana.”

“That’s the only thing that keep me level
Up in my crazy head
Stoned on the run-run.”

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