What Drugs Mean to a Musician

There are two ways that popular songs portray drugs there are the songs that glorify them and tell the story of the “party-life” and others tell the “after-story” that tell of the addiction, of hitting rock-bottom, of how it can ruin your life. More and more of the popular songs are pro-drugs and pro-“party-life” or they are slyly double sided such as Eminem’s Drug Ballad, songs that tend to be lesser known or less popular tell the story of the addiction, about hitting rock-bottom, and of recovery such as D.L. Downer A.K.A. James Williams’ Suga Boom Boom (Chasing Dragons). Drug Ballad, was released on May 23, 2000 in the album The Marshall Mathers LP (www.sing365.com). Suga Boom Boom (Chasing Dragons) was written and sung by D. L. Downer a.k.a. James Williams and his 16-year-old niece Laleazy was produced as a single by MajorEpic music label and was released on October 26, 2014. Both of these songs are within the rap and hip-hop genres. When analyzing and comparing and contrasting these two songs we need to consider why one is more popular than the other, why and how has drugs become such a prevalent problem, why are drugs portrayed differently, and how can we help those that are addicted and keep others from becoming addicted themselves.

In the 1960s, drug culture was popularized through music and mass media, in our current society we still find this relevant. Although we are more knowledgeable about drugs and alcohol, “an estimated 208 million people internationally consume illegal drugs.” The question is why do we conform to a society that is dependent on such substances? Perhaps drug culture is still present due to the references we witness on a daily basis. Witnessing this has resulted in drugs being a constant norm in society, the recently published novel, The Other Wes Moore; addresses drug culture.

In the end, the analysis conducted above makes it ultimately clear that drugs’ influence on rock and roll has been dualistic in nature. While it has indeed contributed to the creative genius of bands and artists such as the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Black Sabbath, it has also brought about the early deaths of promising artists such as Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and Kurt Cobain. As such, it is completely impossible to characterize drugs as being either an absolute positive or an absolute negative for rock n’ roll as a genre. This said, and as per the literature reviewed above, it is undeniable that drugs play a significant part in the history and culture of rock n’ roll, and have thus served to significantly influence the style

After trying ecstasy at a party Kristina affirms, “Ecstasy is hard to describe. It’s like falling softly into a pool of crystal mountain water/ floating on your back circular beneath vibrant sky…It isn’t at all like throwing yourself in front of a runaway train insane” (Hopkins 427). In school, many young adults learn about the harmful effects of drugs, but throughout the novel Kristina undermines all that prior knowledge by telling the reader that doing drugs is a relaxing experience, allowing one to get away from the pressure and stress of everyday life. This positive depiction of drug use scares teachers and parents because they fear it may guide young adults down the wrong path towards habitual drug use (Merchant). Since young adults are easily influenced due to their age, the portrayal of drug use in movies and literature as cool, alluring, and relaxing temps kids to become apart of that world

Social media creates this setting through music, film and video. These media outlets alter the populations’ idea about the drugs. In western culture during the 1930 drugs such as marijuana, cocaine and opiates were seen as ‘pleasurable, mainstream and non-criminal lifestyle’ and was evident in films such as International House (1933). However after the prohibition of positive film representations gave rise to films such as Reefer Madness (1935) which gave messages about the danger and addiction of drugs. This highlights that the social media influences the perspective and

This essay will be written to raise awareness into the idea of drug abuse and what causes it as this is a growing issue within adolescents in our world today. This essay will help to inform people into the negative impact drugs can have on your life and to also outline how an individual can refrain from such acts. It is worthy of investigation due to the fact that it will enable one to gain a greater understanding through science and research about how an individual within the aforementioned age group can be influenced by differing factors, which ultimately lead to consumption of drugs. The essay aims to ensure individuals refrain from conforming to the underlying contention of drugs as a negative substance.

Throughout the years, drugs and music have been as synonymous as America and baseball. Especially within the past 50 years, this nation has experienced the birth, and death, of many genres of music due to rampant drug use. Sure, we all know that drugs are bad for you and that if you abuse them, they will eventually lead to your death, but these substances have created music that has inspired millions around the world, and who is to say that is a bad thing? We have all benefited in one way or another from a musicians use of mind altering chemicals or in some cases, plants, and this is an undeniable fact.

“Has anyone seen molly?” is the question hip-hop icon TYGA asks his fans on his new single. Two of the biggest medical risk that the usage of molly includes is dehydration and over-hydration. In some cases the man-made drug has proven to cause seizures or even be fatal. Unlike today, past hip-hop artists are notorious for their efforts to distribute drugs; however, in present culture it is more common for an artist to promote his or her drug usage. Not to mention, this kind of behavior results in the most dangerous trends that start amongst the youth. Today hip-hop culture is far more destructive than ever before, and it is necessary for music to take new direction before it is too late. Even after the death of some of the biggest icons, entertainers

There is a common notion that drugs in the modernist era were used as a tool for youths to enhance or escape reality; much of this statement is true, though this has been the case for most of history. The unique aspect of British youth culture and its recreational use of drugs is that it produces a platform for the normalization of the perception of an array of drugs. Since the mid twentieth century, the prevalence of drug use among adolescents has witnessed a steady, upward curve; this may indicate an actual increase in the number of participants using drugs, but more so reveals a more open, honest mindset towards recreational drug use, despite the obvious health risks. Since the 1950s, British youth culture’s approach to drugs radically changed people’s perception of drugs; it not only embraced recreational drug use, but gradually normalized it over time. This has resulted in an open, casual attitude towards a series of narcotics within British youth culture. This is credited to social, economic, and political issues as well as the evolving leisurely activities, music and trends that took place during the Mod era to today.

This essay will analyse the representation of illegal drugs consumption within popular culture and in doing so, it will particularly focus on portrayal of drugs in music, film and music videos.

Beginning with alcohol, there is no shortage of the amount of songs that promote heavy drinking. Many songs that involve going out and having fun also pair alcoholic drinks alongside their lyrics, which, in turn, demonstrates to teens that alcohol is associated with having fun. A study in 2014 by Dartmouth College concluded that those who listened to music that included references to alcohol were more likely to drink during parties and other frequent social events than those who listened to “clean” music (Primack). Linking alcohol to music does not cease

It’s a mindset of acceptance of anyone and everything. It’s a world without judgment that you cant understand until you’ve experienced it yourself” (Benanti). The problem is, with this music also comes the drugs. A study was done on the drug use and nightlife by a group of people. They explore and study all different types of music and their ties to drugs. They surveyed 775 visitors of dance events, clubs, and rock festivals in Belgium (Tina Van Havere). Their results found that the respondents who used illegal drugs were 25 times more likely to report that they prefer dance music to any other genre (Tina Van Havere). Drugs and music have been related to each other since they both first emerged, the only problem now is that the scene is at a much larger scale and that it’s kids who are doing it. There have been many cases of deaths and overdoses in the past 5 years at these Electronic Music shows which is creating a lot of discussion in the media and the public about the safety risks of the people attending these shows. The people within this culture who are working behind the scenes are concerned of the future of EDM. A lighting and sound technician Keenan Kan explains, “For the people involved in the industry, we’re concerned. We have seen it happen before. Similar situations happened when the music was popular in the ‘90s, and of course Gainesville and other communities acted on it and

It has been discovered that most people who struggle with drug addiction began experimenting with drugs in their teens. Teenage drug abuse is one of the largest problems in society today and the problem grows and larger every year. Drugs are a pervasive force in our culture today. To expect kids not to be influenced by the culture of their time is as unrealistic as believing in the tooth fairy (Bauman 140). Teens may feel pressured by their friends to try drugs, they may have easy access to drugs, they may use drugs to rebel against their family or society, or they may take an illegal drug because they are curious about it or the pleasure that it gives them.

A common, easy answer for why teenagers start experimenting with drugs is for fun,or that it’s the media’s fault. Supposedly, that’s where the blame belongs… But it’s time to look beyond- beyond the hundreds of scientific journals and studies, with their hyped up numbers and percentages; past the government issued ads and commercials, warning parents to supervise what their kids watch on TV and put passwords on their computers; past the dead end, unhelpful answer. We’ve tried censoring tv shows and forcing kids to watch thousands of anti-drug PSAs. It’s time to realise that the answer could be more complicated, and the blame belongs elsewhere, closer to home. And so this poses the question, what are the

Drugs and music have been closely tied together throughout much of history, with each particular genre typically having a drug closely associated with it. For jazz music, we have musicians such as Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk of the 1940s who brought upon the glorification of opium with their music. Fast forward to the 60s when the rise of psychedelic rock bands such as The Grateful Dead, The Doors, The Beatles and Pink Floyd attempted to replicate the effects of LSD within their music. In the 80s, cocaine was linked to popular glam metal bands such as Van Halen and Motley Crue. As the late 80s and early 90s came around, it was ecstasy’s turn to take the spotlight. Techno, House, Acid House, and rave culture were starting to burst into popularity within the underground music scenes of Detroit, Chicago, and in various places within Europe. These DJs such as Nicky Halloway and Phil Hartnoll, like the musicians of the past, were well aware of the rampant ecstasy use at their performances and their music was often influenced by said drug use. However, what they may not have been aware of was the sheer dependence of ecstasy on the music and the music on ecstasy. Unlike times past where the music and the drug would have a seemingly superficial bond, ecstasy and electronic dance music’s bond extends far beyond any superficial barrier. Without ecstasy, there would be no electronic dance music, no raves, and no PLUR (Peace. Love. Unity. Respect) culture. Likewise, without