This pressure can come from fans, record labels, and the industry as a whole. Rappers may feel compelled to project an image of success, wealth, and a “party lifestyle” to appeal to their audience and maintain their popularity. She joined the 27 Club, a group of musicians, sober rappers singers, and other celebrities who died at the age of 27, often due to substance abuse or related causes. We’re Recovery Unplugged, a behavioral health initiative bringing effective treatment right to your home. Because if there’s one thing more haunting than millions of addiction deaths, it’s knowing they’re preventable.
Reasons I Drink (Alanis Morisette)
- Discover safe drug detox treatment options to manage withdrawal with medical support, tailored programs, and expert care for a strong start on the path to recovery.
- Part of the 12-step literature states that we’re supposed to be anonymous.
- Mac Miller’s 2014 mixtape Faces is a long, drawn out exploration on themes of addiction, exploring the highs and lows of drug abuse along with the emotional toll it takes on a person after extended use.
- By promoting mental health awareness, encouraging positive change, and providing accessible treatment options, the industry can strive towards a healthier and more supportive environment for artists.
- Any sort of momentum I had locally as a musician just stopped.
A study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh in 2008 analyzed Billboard magazine’s list of the 279 most popular songs of 2005. 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. Music has the power to touch people in ways that words alone cannot.
The Influence of Addiction on Music
I was starting to make music with Ryan Lewis and I wrote a song called “Otherside.” I hadn’t had any music really connect until we put out the “VS. “I’m coming up on five years sober so this is all extremely personal to me,” says music critic Sasha Frere-Jones, who worked at The New Yorker for a decade. His 2023 memoir Earlier reflects on his coming of age in New York City, his trajectory as a writer and musician, his family and his recovery from alcohol abuse. Discover safe drug detox treatment options to manage withdrawal with medical support, tailored programs, and expert care for a strong start on the path to recovery. Before his death from a suspected overdose in 2017, Lil Peep talked about his depression in an interview with Pitchfork.
Stray Kids drop music video for new Japanese single ‘Giant’
As a result, many black rappers are not getting the help they need. In the ’80s, as rap music grew in popularity, crack cocaine use swept the nation. Processed with ammonia or baking soda, crack is a freebase form of cocaine that can be smoked to achieve a high. Because it is cheaper and more readily available than powdered cocaine, crack quickly took hold in poor urban communities.
It mocks the predictability and commercialism of using drugs and alcohol to escape the world. These rappers’ stories highlight the importance of seeking help, finding support networks, and making the commitment to change. They serve as role models for individuals facing similar challenges, proving that recovery is a possibility. Support systems can include initiatives such as counseling services, addiction recovery programs, and peer support groups. These resources can help rappers navigate the challenges of addiction and provide them with the necessary tools for recovery. Macklemore, who struggled with opioid addiction, entered a rehab facility at age 25.