The late rapper The Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls, was an iconic figure in hip-hop culture. Along with his music, Biggie’s references to marijuana in his lyrics have become an important part of cannabis culture.
Biggie was known for his witty and clever lyrics that often referenced marijuana. Many of his songs, including “Warning,” “Dead Wrong,” “Players Anthem,” “Niggas,” and “Get Money,” contain references to smoking weed or getting high. These references were often used to express his experiences and his cultural identity, as well as to reflect the role that cannabis played in hip-hop culture. Biggie’s use of weed references in his music helped to establish him as an icon in both the hip-hop and cannabis communities, and his legacy continues to inspire and influence artists today.
The Importance of Cannabis in Biggie’s Lyrics
Hypnotize
In the song “Hypnotize,” Biggie raps about rolling (or “twisting”) his blunt so well, it’s practically instinctual.
“Poppa twist cabbage off instinct”
This is the first time “cabbage” was used by a rapper as slang for marijuana.
After Big coined the slang term, a number of rappers started using “cabbage” to refer to weed, including Redman, E-40, Action Bronson, and Juicy J.
Juicy
“Smokin’ weed in Bambú, sippin’ on Private Stock Way back, when I had the red and black lumberjack … and I smoke skunk with my peeps all day Spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way” are some of the many examples of how cannabis has been a part of Biggie’s life and lyrics, and it has become an important part of cannabis culture.
In this line, Biggie references smoking weed and sipping on Private Stock, a brand of cognac, while hanging out with his friends smoking Bambú, a rolling paper .
This line highlights the role that Bambu and alcohol have played in Biggie’s life and the lives of many people, particularly those who are part of hip-hop culture.
The line “I smoke skunk with my peeps all day” further emphasizes the importance of marijuana in Biggie’s life and his social circle. The term “skunk” is often used to refer to high-quality, potent marijuana, and Biggie’s use of the term suggests that he and his friends were serious about their love of cannabis.
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Biggie’s references to marijuana in his lyrics are just a few examples of how cannabis culture has influenced hip-hop and its associated subcultures. Cannabis culture encompasses a wide range of practices and beliefs, including music, art, fashion, and language. It has become an important aspect of hip-hop culture, with many artists using marijuana as a way to express their personal experiences and cultural identity.
Cannabis culture has also influenced fashion trends, with many people wearing clothing adorned with marijuana leaf motifs or using cannabis-related accessories. Additionally, cannabis has inspired a vibrant art scene, with artists creating works that celebrate the plant’s aesthetic beauty or depict its social and political significance.
C.J. Wallace: Continuing His Father’s Legacy in the Cannabis Industry
In recent years, Biggie’s legacy has continued to influence the cannabis industry, thanks in part to his son, C.J. Wallace. Wallace has launched two cannabis brands, Frank White and Think BIG, that seek to celebrate his father’s life and legacy while promoting social justice and equity in the industry.
Frank White: A Premium Cannabis Brand Honoring Biggie’s Memory
Frank White, named after one of Biggie’s aliases, is a premium cannabis brand that offers a range of products, including pre-rolls, flower, and concentrates. The brand seeks to honor Biggie’s memory and legacy by providing high-quality cannabis products that embody his spirit of creativity and originality.
Think BIG: A Social Justice-Oriented Cannabis Brand
Think BIG, on the other hand, is a social justice-oriented cannabis brand that aims to help those who have been disproportionately affected by the war on drugs. The brand seeks to create economic opportunities for marginalized communities by providing job training and employment opportunities in the cannabis industry. Additionally, a portion of the brand’s profits goes towards supporting criminal justice reform and providing legal assistance to those who have been unfairly targeted by drug laws.
Through these two brands, C.J. Wallace has become a prominent voice in the cannabis industry, advocating for social justice and equity while honoring his father’s legacy. He has spoken about the need for more diversity and inclusivity in the industry and has called on other cannabis businesses to do more to address these issues.
In this way, Biggie’s influence on cannabis culture has continued to evolve and grow in the years since his passing. His son’s contributions to the industry, through Frank White and Think BIG, are a testament to the lasting impact that he has had on hip-hop, cannabis culture, and society as a whole. Biggie’s references to marijuana in his lyrics, combined with C.J. Wallace’s work in the cannabis industry, are a reminder of the complex and multifaceted ways in which cannabis culture has shaped and been shaped by hip-hop and its associated subcultures. Cannabis culture and hip-hop culture have a shared history, with many hip-hop artists, including Biggie Smalls, referencing marijuana in their lyrics as a way to express their personal experiences and cultural identity.
The Complex Relationship between Cannabis Culture and Hip-Hop Culture
Cannabis culture has also influenced hip-hop fashion, with many people wearing clothing adorned with marijuana leaf motifs or using cannabis-related accessories. Additionally, cannabis has inspired a vibrant art scene, with artists creating works that celebrate the plant’s aesthetic beauty or depict its social and political significance.
The relationship between cannabis culture and hip-hop culture has not been without controversy. The war on drugs, which disproportionately impacted communities of color, has fueled a sense of injustice among many hip-hop artists and cannabis enthusiasts. This has led to a growing movement within the cannabis industry to promote social justice and equity, with many businesses seeking to provide economic opportunities for marginalized communities and support criminal justice reform efforts.
C.J. Wallace’s work in the cannabis industry is part of this broader movement, seeking to promote social justice and equity while honoring his father’s legacy. Through the Frank White and Think BIG brands, Wallace is helping to shape the cannabis industry in a more inclusive and socially responsible way.
