No matter what the law is every generation has had its stoner music. In the 30’s and 40’s it was Jazz (Minnie the Moocher is an awesome song), during the 50’s Beatniks arrived and Rock & Roll started to evolve (thank you Little Richard). If you remember the 60’s than you weren’t there (so I’m told) but they had folk to psychedelic rock. The 70’s weren’t forgotten they gave us Punk, Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and the rise of Ska (even though Ska started in the 50’s it took punks to bring it back). The 80’s are kind of obscure no one really stood out as a smoker, except maybe for UB40 and Eddy Grant — though I think they all were high, The Culture Club anyone?
Than there’s the 90’s and up, when I can start to give you personal experiences. We use to refer to the 90’s as the upside down 60’s; acid, pills, and pot were everywhere. The first bands I would associate with smoking sessions would be Nirvana and Jane’s Addiction. Many a night were spent with multiple friends smoking in whosever’s house, apartment or abandon cabin we could find. We would smoke late night around fires listening to Pearl Jam, Fun Loving Criminals, and Violent Femmes.
During this time I was able to attend the second, third, and fourth Lollapalooza. Grunge was popular and wearing a flannel was cool. At the same time as the peak of grunge was happening hip-hop was taking on a whole new form. Dr. Dre released “The Chronic” which became mandatory for every good stoner to listen to and than Snoop Dog came out with his own release; it became the golden age of stoner rap with the likes of Funkdoobiest, Cypress Hill, and Wu-Tang Clan. Towards the end of the 90’s grunge was going away and punk made a come back with Sublime and Rancid letting the world know California wasn’t dead. This in a lump was my 90’s.
The decade of 2000 started strong with a hit from Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back. That hit was Because I Got High by Afroman. Than it gave us some good stoner rock with Jack Johnson and the rise of G-love and Special Sauce (he’s been playing the Philadelphia scene for years) but it also gave us the sounds of the Gorillaz, Outkast, N.E.R.D, and Gnarls Barkley all which scream “If you like me, you might get high”. Towards the end of this decade it had a strong finish with Matisyahu.
So far 2010 hasn’t been too bad. MGMT is pretty awesome to get high to but I don’t recommend watching their videos at the same time, freaky. The Muse is pretty good to for something to smoke to but there’s doesn’t seem to be much more than that. As much respect as I have for Lady GaGa, something about kicking back, smoking, and listening to Poker Face doesn’t seem to be appealing. Where are the smoking anthems of 2010? Where are the “Hits from the Bong”? I’m hoping with the age of the INTERNET they’re just not signed yet and are still hustling on itunes or something. Maybe I’m wrong.
What is your stoner music? When I’m scoring (since its still illegal on my end) its old school hip hop or some hardcore rock. When I’m smoking its Jazz or Reggae, I’ll even enjoy Jimmy Buffet or some Willie Nelson. So what’s your stoner soundtrack?
While you contemplate what I’ve written here’s some shit I found on the net;
I read stories like these everyday and it just makes me wanna go Noooooooooo!
Illegal drug deal gone bad to try and be used against the legalization and the ignorant will believe it.
Just Nooooooooo! 5 football fields
Dude, how high were you?
