But despite drug culture’s influence over music and trends, a number of the game’s favorite artists embrace sobriety. Since molly’s fading popularity and the increase in codeine mentions, other over-the-counter and prescription drugs have crept into hip-hop’s woozy landscape. Rap’s obsession with Xanax began in 2011 when Tyler, The Creator mentioned the pill on “Yonkers.” Since then, Young Thug, Future, and 2 Chainz have all mentioned Xanax in their music. More artists have opened up about mental illness, which often co-occurs with addiction.

Music

• On April 9, 2021, the “Party Up (Up in Here)” rapper suffered a heart attack that was triggered by a cocaine overdose.
• The Detroit lyricist has rapped about his addiction and recovery in his music.
• Legendary southern rapper Pimp C also tragically died because of a drug overdose.
• His death still remains a huge and sad loss to both his fans and the music industry, shedding light on the importance of mental health awareness.
• First on our list of rappers who overdosed is multi-platinum rapper DMX.

“Overdose amongst rappers and Americans in general rappers that do drugs has become an epidemic,  unfortunately,” she tells XXL. In 2020, only 6.5 percent of people with substance abuse disorders received treatment. African American and Native American people had the highest rates of fatal overdoses in 2021. Back in 2020, during an interview with Converse for their Creative All Star Series, Tyler, The Creator shared that he’s never been interested in drinking, though he’s tried weed twice. At first, he joked about his past experience with an edible. Then he noted that his “addictive personality” is what could potentially lead to his downfall.

A Closer Look at How Drug Overdoses Are Plaguing Hip-Hop

Chris Kelly, better-known as Mac Daddy of ’90s kid-hop crew Kris Kross, had a hard time after Substance abuse puberty. He turned to drugs to kill the pain of forever being remembered as a child star, so we must assume, and even though the crew was getting back on the road, it wasn’t enough excitement to save him. The 34-year-old was found dead of a cocaine and heroin overdose in his Atlanta home earlier this year. The New Orleans rapper has been sippin’ and spittin’ about purple drank for years. He first came out about his addiction in 2008, but rumors of the toll it takes on his life continue into 2013.

Macklemore

The relationship between rappers, alcohol, and drug addiction is a complex and multifaceted issue. It’s important to note that not all are involved in drug abuse, and many rappers are completely sober. However, artists have openly discussed their experiences with substance abuse in their music and public interviews over time.

K-Pop Idols Who Died Too Soon

When he landed in a coma after suffering from severe seizures a few months ago, everyone pointed at a sizzurp OD as the cause, though Wayne claims to have suffered from epileptic seizures his whole life. Yesterday, Gucci got back on Twitter, talkin’ about how he woke up in a hospital ashamed and embarrassed about his behavior, apologizing for the shenanigans, and admitting to a terrible ten-year lean addiction. In case you’re too privileged and white to understand, lean is codeine cough syrup mixed with soda for an ultimate #traplyfe experience. As hard as people like Andre’a and Carmela are working to stem the tide, drug use continues to rise.

• A 2008 study conducted by the University of California, Berkley found that drug references in rap music increased drastically from 1979 to 1997.
• Short-term side effects of cannabis use include memory loss, hallucinations and psychosis.
• Before his death from a suspected overdose in 2017, Lil Peep talked about his depression in an interview with Pitchfork.

“I ain’t got nothing against you if you wanna throw one back,” as he told Sway on Sway In The Morning. First on our list of rappers who overdosed is multi-platinum rapper DMX. On April 9, 2021, the “Party Up (Up in Here)” rapper suffered a heart attack that was triggered by a cocaine overdose. Gucci Mane is one of several rappers who didn’t quit their addiction because of their time in rehab.

The active ingredient in the substance is THC, a psychoactive chemical that produces pleasurable effects. Those who survived their use of the drug dealt with severe physical and psychological problems that included hallucinations, seizures, psychosis, depression and addiction. In February 2016, rapper Macklemore released “The Unruly Mess I’ve Made,” a record in which addiction is a recurring topic. A few months later, he met with President Barack Obama at the White House to discuss the realities of this disease. “No to drugs, I never spark it”, Tyler said on the first track of his very first project, Bastard. Tyler’s straight-edge lifestyle has been a large part of his personality from the very beginning, despite being surrounded by his permanently stoned Odd Future crew 90% of the time.