Stay Sober: Rappers Who Don’t Smoke Or Drink

On “Otherside,” Macklemore raps about Lil Wayne being a major influence of his personal codeine addiction. Minus one relapse he’s had with codeine, Macklemore has been clean since August of 2008. 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. But despite drug culture’s influence over music and trends, a number of the game’s favorite artists embrace sobriety. In the dynamic world of hip-hop, identifying the most famous rappers of 2023 is an exciting journey.

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It can include cultural influences, socioeconomic backgrounds, mental health struggles, and the desire to portray a particular image. Fortunately, artists who struggle with addiction often take the bold step of going to rehab. Over the years, many rappers have sought drug addiction treatment help in an effort to deal with their addictions.

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Though it may seem like drug use is conducive to creativity in the rap world, there are several rappers who prove that this is not the case. Yeah, Young Chop doesn’t rap, but it’s worth noting that the “Hate Being Sober” producer doesn’t smoke weed or drink. All irony aside, it’s nice to see that the Chicago beatsmith doesn’t partake in any of Chief Keef’s wild shenanigans.

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Yet, fame in the hip-hop world is not restricted to established names. Emerging talents, including those who might be the biggest rapper in the world soon, are redefining rappers that do drugs the genre with their unique styles. Artists like Lil Uzi Vert have become synonymous with the term popular rapper, gaining rapid fame and a dedicated fan base. She is also the first female rapper with multiple #1 hits on the chart. A prolific artist, Lil Wayne has released over 200 singles and EPs. More than a hundred of these charted on Billboard Hot 100, surpassing Elvis Presley.

• However, not all artists need to spark the ‘bud’ to produce fire vocals on the beat.
• Fortunately, artists who struggle with addiction often take the bold step of going to rehab.
• Several dinosaurs are out there living by the drug-free, or straight edge, code.

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• From Mac Miller’s fatal overdose to Juice WRLD’s drug-induced seizure, the link between death and addiction has been a recurring topic in rap.
• I once smoked with Chiddy Bang in college and it was one of the best days of my life; I’ll always love Chiddy Bang because of it.
• Additionally, the environment in which rappers live and work can play a role in drug addiction.
• Kanye has spoken publicly about his struggles with alcohol and drug abuse in the past, and in 2019 he revealed that he is now a year sober.
• Here are five rappers more rappers who have kicked their own drug and alcohol habits.
• Eminem has been open about how he was able to win his battle with addiction, citing his family and faith as the major factors in his success.
• Music is definitely the rapper’s vice, initially saying Wolf would consist of “weird hippie music for people to get high to”.

The results showed that substance use was referenced in 77 percent of rap songs, the highest percentage of drug mentions among all genres included in the study. The influence of peer groups and the environment cannot be underestimated when examining drug addiction in the rap industry. Rappers may be surrounded by individuals who also use drugs, either as a form of recreation or to cope with the demands of their careers. Peer pressure within these circles can normalize drug use and make it harder for individuals to abstain or seek help. Macklemore released his debut album The Language of My World in 2005, then fell off the grid for a few years, crippled by addiction to alcohol, oxycontin, lean, and various other drugs.

Royce called Eminem when he decided to get sober, and they still have conversations about sobriety to this day. Kid Cudi’s first hit was his 2008 lonely stoner anthem “Day ‘n’ Nite.” In 2011 he announced that he had stopped smoking weed. In 2014, he announced that he had quite cocaine, alcohol, and anti-depressants, and that he had originally taken them up because of fame-induced stress. In that same piece, Em is quoted as saying, “I had to regain motor skills, I had to regain talking skills.” His drug use affected him so severely that he had to relearn how to talk and how to rap. Relearn he did, but as much as we all might want a new, incredible Eminem album, I try to mostly just stay thankful that he’s still alive. In fact, the real challenge might be naming the artists who don’t get high, and in doing so we’ll see a different side of hip-hop, a side that’s always been there but doesn’t get nearly as much attention.

• His glaring narcissism seeps through the cracks, an ironic lack of empathy and understanding for the woman who’s working day and night to keep him fed.
• In an appearance on Drink Champs, Vince expressed that he never wanted to get caught with drugs and always wanted to stay alert when growing up in an area filled with gang violence.
• Then he noted that his “addictive personality” is what could potentially lead to his downfall.
• The struggles faced by rappers with drug addiction echo the experiences of individuals from various backgrounds.
• We want to know your top pick for next year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show.

Dre quit smoking a year or two after Outkast’s debut album, Southernplayalisticadillamuzik. In an interview with Vibe, he explained why he stopped using drugs around that time. “…I actually looked in the mirror and saw myself deteriorating. I was like man we’re doing too much. Way too much.” Along with being sober, Andre 3000 has also been a vegetarian for nearly two decades.

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By sharing their stories, these artists have helped break the stigma surrounding addiction and have inspired others to seek support and embark on their own paths to recovery. Drug addiction is a pressing issue that affects individuals from all walks of life, including those in the rap industry. In this section, we will rappers who are sober delve into case studies of three rappers who have openly shared their struggles with drug addiction.

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Name it, and your favorite rapper has probably rapped about it. Yet the stereotype of the drug-addled rapper doesn’t apply universally. Several dinosaurs are out there living by the drug-free, or straight edge, code. Many rappers abstain from drugs and alcohol for personal and/or professional reasons. In a recent interview with MTV, the platinum-selling rapper revealed he developed a drinking problem at the age of thirteen. In his past, oxycontin and syrup have caused him near-death experiences.