Popular Songs about Drugs: Analysis of 'Suga Boom Boom' and 'Drug Ballad'

“Just Say No!” A statement that takes us deep into yet another decade in the history of the United States which was excited by controversies, social issues, and drug abuse. The topic of this statement is fueled by the growing abuse of cocaine in the mid 1980s. I shall discuss the effects of the crack cocaine epidemic of the mid 1980s from a cultural and social stand point because on that decade this country moved to the rhythms and the pace of this uncanny drug. Cocaine took its told on American society by in the 1980s; it ravaged with every social group, race, class, etc. It reigned over the United States without any prejudices. Crack cocaine was the way into urban society, because of its affordability in contrast to the powdered

If cocaine were legal, what would the little packages be called? Sweet N' High! Unfortunately, this is an example of what is commonly known as a “crack joke.” Drugs are increasingly being misused and abused. Yet, today’s youth in its ignorance takes drugs as a light matter. It is a different story altogether from someone who has actually used drugs. In Beautiful Boy, journalist David Sheff recounts his own and his son, Nic’s journey of drug abuse. Sheff’s memoir is a haunting experience filled with tears, brawls, and ample amounts of crystal meth. In Beautiful Boy, Sheff, while applying a casual and conversational style, effectively uses rhetoric to share his experience with an addicted teen.

Throughout the evolution of popular music in American culture, many factors have been instrumental in the inspiration musical artists. The wide range of sources reflects the variety and creativity of music in the modern day that musicians claim as their muses, ranging from religious beliefs to love interests. However, the primary driving force behind the creative minds in music in the United States has undeniably been the drug subculture that was the largest at the given time period. Without the use of recreational drugs by artists, popular music would have taken an entirely different and unimaginable evolutionary path, resulting in a completely different musical world. Music is what is taken from drug culture to be incorporated and sold

"Cocaine and crack are among the most addictive substances known to modern science, and they have already ruined the lives of millions of Americans" (Morganthau and Miller, 208). Cocaine and crack are both dangerous, harmful drugs. Though pleasurable effects can be obtained from these drugs, the use of crack and cocaine cannot be worth the actual consequences that are inflicted on mind and body. The bad effects of these drugs, by far outweigh the good. Because crack and cocaine are so closely related, it is important to have a firm understanding of both drugs.

It was during the mid-1980s that the emergence of a new smokable form of cocaine, called crack, had been introduced to the United States. Crack, was highly-addictive and swept through impoverished areas of cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Oakland, and Miami. In the end it caused devastating effects for black and Latino Americans. As crack cocaine was becoming a grim and rising epidemic, hip hop was evolving alongside it. It was in the 1980s that crack cocaine and hip hop became the two leading fundamentals of urban street culture. It is not suggested that hip hop caused the crack epidemic, or vice versa. But, it can be argued that both fed off each other, particularly hip hop off the crack culture itself.

I strongly request with all that I have that you please read this letter, and reflect on what is stated inside, for it is deeply and truly important to me. Drug abuse has become a large problem in our community, and it truly saddens me that so many lives, younger and older, are being wasted. Think of how many possible and actual world-changing people have fallen prey to addictions or overdose. How much of a better place would this Earth be with them here? Be warned, however, for I am not blaming the user of the drugs for his or her addiction. More than likely, it started off innocently, and the drugs pulled the person into the deep, downward spiral that is addiction. So I would instruct you not to blame the addict or user, but rather the

Cocaine had slowly risen into American Popular Culture, starting with an appeal to the elite class and ending with the Harrison Act of 1914. Employers encouraged the use of the coca leaf among their workers to increase productivity and decrease fatigue. Early physicians would prescribe cocaine to treat everything from morphine addiction to the common cold. Cocaine became a common ingredient in consumer goods. Marketers raved about the amazing effects of cocaine in their advertisements. Early historical figures, including Thomas Edison and Pope Leo XIII, endorsed French coca wine. It was difficult to escape the grasp of cocaine’s spreading popularity.

Addiction and recovery is difficult for everyone involved in the abusers life. Friends, family, and co-workers are affected by the struggle of the abuser. In “Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin, the story focuses on the struggle of addiction and recovery, and how his family and friends struggle to help him through his addiction. This is a serious issue in today’s society due to the psychology affect addiction has on everyone. There are many reasons a person starts to abuse drugs. The National Association for Public Health Policy states that “Drug abuse is interwoven with the problems of poverty, illiteracy, family disruption, racism, inequalities of opportunity and economic status, mental illness, and maldistribution of political power and authority” (275).

Introduction - Use of psychoactive substances for recreational purposes is not a radically new social issue. In fact, history tells us that almost every society had their own pharmacopeia of herbs, potions, and substances that not only contributed to healing, but also allowed the user to escape reality (Schules 1992, 4-5). However, it is the contemporary use of psychoactive drugs purchased through illicit or illegal channels and used by persons neither prescribed nor in quantities larger than necessary that defines modern drug abuse (Robins 2006). Prior to World War I, substances like morphine, heroin, and cocaine were available in the major American cities, particularly those with active international ports. For instance, when Chinese immigrants were first imported to work in the mines and railroads during the early 1800s, they brought opium to America. It was the leisure class, who began to experiment with this drug, and, as in Europe, many major U.S. cities had so-called opium dens. In addition, there were a substantial number of "society women" who ended up addicted because their doctor prescribed this drug to deal with female histrionics or to "cure" an excessive sexual appetite (Johnson 2002). Within major cities, this problem began to spill over into other groups: prostitutes, child laborers, orphans, and even men and women of lower social classes seeking to escape the harshness of their lives (Courtwright 2002, 3-19). Between the widespread use and general

One day you are living a beautiful and content lifestyle, and then next day you are lying on the floor dead without telling your friends and family you loved them. This could happen to you, if you do not avoid the dodgy lifestyle of a drug user and abuser. Every day drugs, such as: heroine are misused in-order to get a certain feeling called a high. The high is suppose to make you feel good or forget about the world’s everyday problems, but in most cases, the use of these powerful drugs end up hurting, or even killing the users. The PSA “Best High” explains how heroine can easily be influenced into using for amusement. In the Public Service Announcement (PSA), “Best High,” produced by DrugFreeWorldInc, the company is reenacting a story about

During the 70’s experimentation on psychedelic drugs like Marijuana and other hardcore stage one drugs played a key factor in the turning of what the Idea of the American Dream could be. Young adults were getting pulled into a tornado of sex, drugs and rock n roll, the influence music had on them at this point was only adding fuel to the fire. The structure of the young mind was mutating, opening doors to undiscovered desires. They wanted the money and fame that came with being the Keeper of the keys for this new world that was dangling in

Beginning with the late 1960’s counterculture in San Francisco, music and drugs will forever be inter-linked. Hippie bands such as the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers, and Phish are associated with marijuana, mushrooms, and LSD. Modern electronic “rave” , or club music is associated with MDMA or Ecstasy. When one thinks of rock and roll, sex and drugs immediately come to mind. While the use of drugs is not essential for the creation or performance of all new music, it was certainly in important factor for the counterculture music of the late 1960’s. While some of the most important and influential music was made with the help of psychoactive drugs, it was often to the detriment of the artist. Janis

During the 1980s and 1990s on Wall Street, people only really cared about two things and two things only money and drugs. Wall street aloud young men straight out college to get a job. For example the movie Wolf of Wall Street based on this time period, a young man named Jordan Belfort was a small time stockbroker and he started a small brokerage firm and after a few years it became very big and he became so rich. Drugs in the 80-90s were a very big thing on people on Wall Street many of them did cocaine and quaaludes. The economy was very high so it was really easy for people to get a job and make a lot of money.

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.

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