Cannabis has been intertwined with hip-hop culture since the genre’s earliest beats, lyrics, and lifestyle imagery. From underground rebellion to mainstream legalization, rap’s most iconic weed moments helped define music, marketing, and social attitudes. Here’s a look at some of the defining highlights that shaped both industries.
1. Dr. Dre’s The Chronic Defines an Era (1992)
Dr. Dre’s The Chronic wasn’t just an album—it was a cultural shift. The title itself is slang for potent cannabis, and its Zig-Zag-inspired cover art visually symbolized a lifestyle millions would soon emulate. The record introduced G-funk to the mainstream and elevated marijuana as a symbol of creativity, rebellion, and identity in West Coast rap. It’s widely regarded by Rolling Stone and Billboard as one of the most influential hip-hop albums of all time.
2. Cypress Hill Becomes the Voice of Advocacy (Early ’90s)
While Dre and Snoop made weed cool, Cypress Hill made it a cause. The Latino rap trio proudly championed marijuana long before legalization seemed realistic. Their 1993 hit “Hits from the Bong” and frequent activism earned them a spot in High Times’ Hall of Fame. Their early performances—often surrounded by clouds of smoke—broke barriers between counterculture and mainstream audiences, turning advocacy into artistry.
3. Method Man & Redman’s “How High” Launches a Legacy (1995–2001)
No duo embodied stoner rap chemistry like Method Man and Redman. Their 1995 hit “How High” became an anthem, eventually inspiring the cult classic How High movie. The film’s success in the early 2000s proved that cannabis and comedy could be a box-office formula. Both artists later became outspoken advocates for legalization and patient access, blending humor with purpose.
4. Afroman’s “Because I Got High” Becomes a Cautionary Classic (2000)
Afroman turned his humorous weed anthem into a global phenomenon. “Because I Got High” climbed the Billboard Hot 100 charts, proving that cannabis-themed songs could cross into pop territory. Years later, Afroman re-released the song with a pro-legalization message, collaborating with NORML to highlight the failures of prohibition and celebrate reform.
5. Wiz Khalifa’s Kush & Orange Juice Revolutionizes the Mixtape Era (2010)
When Wiz Khalifa dropped Kush & Orange Juice, Twitter exploded. Fans made the hashtag #KushAndOrangeJuice trend globally overnight, signaling a new era where digital platforms and cannabis culture collided. The project’s laid-back vibes helped redefine stoner rap for a younger generation, setting the stage for Khalifa’s eventual business ventures, including his Khalifa Kush brand.
6. Snoop Dogg Becomes the Industry’s Face (2015)
Snoop Dogg’s Leafs By Snoop launch marked a pivotal moment: a rapper transforming his cannabis persona into a legitimate business empire. With premium packaging and nationwide media coverage, Snoop became hip-hop’s first true “weed mogul.” The brand’s success opened the door for future artist-led cannabis ventures.
7. Jay-Z’s Monogram Raises the Bar (2019–2020)
When Jay-Z partnered with Caliva and later launched Monogram, he elevated cannabis branding to luxury status. Beyond design and pricing, Jay used his platform to highlight social justice, addressing racial disparities in cannabis convictions. Forbes and Rolling Stone both praised the move as a symbol of cannabis maturity—where activism and entrepreneurship meet.
8. Snoop Lights Up Before the Super Bowl (2022)
Just before taking the stage at Super Bowl LVI, Snoop Dogg was filmed lighting up backstage—a subtle yet powerful moment. Broadcast worldwide, it represented how far cannabis had come: from criminalized culture to mainstream acceptance on America’s biggest stage.
A Legacy Still Rolling
From The Chronic to Monogram, cannabis has fueled creativity, rebellion, and revolution in rap. These moments didn’t just normalize marijuana—they commercialized and celebrated it.