He has since returned to sobriety and is currently teaming up with President Obama to raise awareness for the country’s growing opioid epidemic. As a youth, Lecrae earned the nickname “Crazy Crae” for his wild drunk stunts. “I tried pretty much every drug there was to try, except for heroin and crack. I was out there,” he told Complex in 2012. Despite his absurd and often offensive rappers that are sober music, Tyler, the Creator has stated that some things aren’t for everyone, which was a reference to drug use.
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A few famous rap stars who are sober even inspired other hip hop stars to kick their addictions for good. Arguably the most successful rapper of all time, Eminem has had an incredibly successful career after overcoming a long history of substance abuse. His hit single “Lose Yourself” even references his struggles with drugs and alcohol in its chorus.
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Cole was featured on the eventual single “First Person Shooter”, which would debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his first song to top the chart. Logic is a great example of choosing a path of addiction treatment, despite being raised in an environment that harbored drug use and addiction. His parents were both drug addicts, and though he briefly experimented with drugs, he ultimately decided that lifestyle was not one he wanted to live. J. Cole is a prime example of using the glamorization of drug use to fuel the commercial side of music.
50 Cent
Minus one relapse he’s had with codeine, Macklemore has been clean since August of 2008. For rappers struggling with drug addiction, seeking help and overcoming their addiction is a crucial step towards recovery. There are various treatment options and resources available to support individuals in their journey to overcome addiction. Additionally, hearing success stories of rappers who have successfully battled addiction can provide inspiration and hope. Some of today’s biggest names like Lil Wayne and Kid Cudi, among others, have spent much of their careers looking for a way to cope with their own personal traumas. Many times, the glamorization of substance use is in their rhymes, peppering hooks with one-liners that speak to those internal struggles.
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I knew I couldn’t have drugs in my life,” Gucci Mane shared with the finance publication Money. A former drug dealer, 50 Cent is sufficiently knowledgeable about the adverse effects of drug abuse. “I had an experience with alcohol that made me paranoid because of it and I stayed away from it,” 50 told Piers Morgan. In an interview with G-Unit, Tony Yayo confirmed that 50 Cent abstains from drugs and alcohol. J. Cole’s KOD album even explored the severity of drug abuse and addiction. Unfortunately, drug use in hip hop is nothing new, as we have lost talents like Pimp C, Mac Miller, and Juice WRLD to overdoses.
- Have you ever been the designated driver at a party or hung out in a room full of stoners while completely sober?
- Drug addiction is a pressing issue that affects individuals from all walks of life, including those in the rap industry.
- While he’s said that he’s never really had any desire to drink or do drugs, it’s also notable that he’s pretty naturally turnt up as it is.
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- KOD is a conscious album responding to hip-hop’s obsession with prescription drugs and self-medication—and in this respect, it has every right to point some fingers.
- The road to addiction treatment can be very challenging, especially with the media glamorizing drug and alcohol use.
- Not because he wants anything in particular; only because this time, he’s more sure of who he is.
- It doesn’t apologize for Hart, but encourages men to make better choices.
- He got increasingly into substance abuse the older he got, and it got worse the more prominent he became.
The album, released last November, earned 236,000 equivalent albums in the tracking week, up 264%. The sum also powers it 4-1 on the all-genre Billboard 200, where it captures the summit for the first time since its debut drug addiction week. When drug addiction infiltrates the lives of rappers, it can have profound consequences both personally and professionally. The detrimental effects of drug addiction can manifest in various ways, impacting every aspect of their lives. Additionally, the environment in which rappers live and work can play a role in drug addiction.
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The song is loosely about sex addiction, and the video sends up Hart’s situation, imagining a day in his life after the cheating news broke. When Cole repeats the phrase “made it out, it gotta mean something,” it’s as if he’s carrying the weight of his city’s deferred dreams. Much like the athletes whom he seeks to emulate, Cole becomes a vicarious bearer of hope.
- Many times, the glamorization of substance use is in their rhymes, peppering hooks with one-liners that speak to those internal struggles.
- He was able to turn his life around in 2011, and since then he has been open about his sobriety journey.
- For artists, especially up-and-coming independents, smoking grass has always been a way to bond with fans on tour.
- A few famous rap stars who are sober even inspired other hip hop stars to kick their addictions for good.
- Kid Cudi had a difficult upbringing that ultimately made him turn to drugs.
Please post only when sober; you’re welcome to read in the meanwhile. In the highly competitive world of rap, artists often face immense pressure to maintain a certain image. This pressure can come from fans, record labels, and the industry as a whole. Rappers may feel compelled to project an image of success, wealth, and a “party lifestyle” to appeal to their audience and maintain their popularity. Lupe Fiasco has always been a passionate artist, but he has also had a long battle with substance abuse.
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Eminem’s Bad Meets Evil cohort, Royce Da 5’9”, is currently killing the rap game dead sober. One of the biggest storylines on Royce’s remarkably personal Layers album is his newfound sobriety. While many artists will seek out drugs to give them an edge, sober Royce sounds sharper than ever. It’s also interesting to hear how his sobriety has helped not just his technical ability but his creativity and inspiration. Rappers looking for some chemical enhancement to their lives is nothing new, but right now it’s definitely more flow than ebb.