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.

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.

Looking at drugs from the media’s standpoint, it makes great entertainment. When looking at movies such as the Hangover or Neighbors, drugs seem great for enjoyment. They display how the substance provides friends, fun, power, and sexuality. When viewing the music industry or various other celebrities, individuals may think drugs are “cool”.

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

“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

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

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.

Researchers have conducted different researchers aimed at investigating the relationship between illicit drug use and specific music genres. In a study conducted by Hesse and Tutenges (83) it was clear that specific music genre promote drug abuse as they contain different lyrical content, imagery in videos and public image artists who attracted huge following among the youths. A study conducted by Edmondson (406) revealed that music could be used as a model to use drugs while the listeners may share the same music choice with drug users since they will interact in the dances. Additional researchers have associated popular rap and rock songs with deviant messages in their lyrics that encourage drug use (Aldridge and Fachner 20). Another research by Vuolo, Uggen and Lageson (538) revealed that young people who listen to rap and hip hop are more prone to alcohol and drug abuse compared to listeners of other types of music. The researcher connected the findings with the sponsorship done by alcohol companies that use rap in their advertisement and endorsements. In a different study, more than 50 percent of hip-hop and rap mention alcohol or drugs in their lyrics as compared to only 10% of other music genres, Electronic Dance Music included (Van Havere et al. 369). The use of drugs is associated with the frequent exposure of users in music with reference to substance abuse (Vuolo, Uggen and Lageson 539). There are few gaps in the literature

Popular culture film and music has long since been awash with drug references and imagery. The context of these references has majorly affected the way in which they are received and perceived by the wider public, expressly in times of social or political change and unrest. The context in which these images and sounds are being interpreted affect the response to racial vilification, representation, along with gender roles and stereotypes. Conventional practice in the entertainment industries has developed over time but drugs, their users and dealers, including the consumption and production, continue to be portrayed in a mainly negative light, showing the complexity of this particular social process.

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.

Teenagers listen to music; nobody will say otherwise. However, claiming that today’s music is ruining teenagers in general and becoming a major detriment to the average teenager’s health will put the speaker in hot water. That does not make it any less true, however. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. While many teenagers practice “clean” lifestyles and abstain from sex, drugs, and alcohol, many choose to abuse these substances and lead themselves down dark pathways for the rest of their lives. Modern genres of music, primarily targeted to appeal to teens, idolize and somewhat worship sex, drugs, and alcohol, and certainly influence many who may otherwise choose to abstain from these substances to fall victim to their negative presence. Music’s influence on teens has not been a positive one: creating pressure for teens to drink, smoke, or practice unsafe sex well before they are prepared to make those decisions themselves.

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.

Electronic Dance Music has now reached it’s high in the public all over the world. This genre of music was created and reformed from past generations of music and its history goes all the way back to the mid-to-late 70’s. What is common throughout Electronic Dance Music’s history is its usage of drugs between the attendee’s at these concerts, shows, festivals, or raves. Now that Electronic Music is becoming the most popular genre for young adults and teens to listen to, the public cant help but be aware of what chaos it could possibly bring. The only way to prevent such disasters of over-doses and deaths is to educate the Electronic Dance Music lovers’ on what could potentially happen to this culture if a change

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