Music news: The soundtrack of 420 - from counterculture to mainstream
Weed, marijuana, dope, ganja, pot or Mary Jane. Whatever you name it, it is being commercialised through the music industry.
But how has cannabis become some artists' biggest high?
Music News Blitz’s Maisie Sharp-Fehr shares her thoughts…
What is 420?
If you don’t know what 420 is, you have also probably never heard of Snoop Dogg.
420 celebrates April 20, an inside joke in the California counterculture which celebrates cannabis consumption as an unofficial international holiday.
In simple terms, many people will be smoking weed today and some may even be protesting to have it legalised.
Stoner anthems have a massive role to play in the celebration, offering relaxation and advocacy.
From a localised slang in a niche underground culture, 420 has made its way to a mainstream phenomenon driven by genres such as hip-hop and electronic dance music (EDM).
But has its authenticity been lost through its commercialisation?
Origins: Music and counterculture
Cannabis was the central pillar of the psychedelic era, the 1960/70s, acting as a symbol of rejection to mainstream society.
It is also deeply rooted in reggae music, with Rastafarianism viewing marijuana as a sacred meditative tool.
Famous reggae musician Bob Marley often referred to weed in his music, calling it ‘herb’ or ‘kaya’.
For other artists, the use of the word is deeply entwined with anti-establishment and defying dominant norms, acting as a symbol of rebellion.
But cannabis hasn't just changed the lyrics of songs but the beat as well.
By blending ambient and psychedelic ‘vibes’, the music industry has produced a new kind of music - an immersive experience.
This isn't a new curation. Pink Floyd’s album, ‘The Dark Side of the Moon’, offers a trippy soundscape that gives a sensory-driven experience.
It doesn't just end there, newer bands such as Tame Impala are also known for their psych-heavy journeys.
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Hip-hop and mainstream music
Between the 1990s and early 2000s, hip-hop played a massive role in normalising cannabis and shifting it from previous stigmatisations.
Now as a symbol, it is seen less politically and more as a lifestyle.
From ‘taboo’ counterculture, artists like Snoop Dogg have commercialised it through decades of mainstream music.
With increasing unapologetic public consumption, it has led to mainstream artists profiting from the legitimisation of weed.
The business of 420
Some artists have used their platform to take it a step further, with Snoop Dogg producing his very own cannabis brand, ‘Leafs By Snoop’.
Even Jay-Z entered the market in 2020, launching a luxury weed brand called Monogram.
This reflects how weed has been culturally used as a protest of identity, its shift to entertainment and how it is now being used as a new revenue stream through the music industry.
Artists are now becoming entrepreneurs and lifestyle curators.
420 is no longer cultural, it's being used as a commercial outlet.
Top five songs for 420
‘Hits from the bong’ - Cypress Hill
‘Because I got high’ - Afroman
‘Sun is shining’ - Bob Marley
‘Young, wild and free’ - Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa and Bruno Mars
‘Comfortably numb’- Pink Floyd
Streaming and ‘vibe culture’
Even streaming platforms such as Spotify are celebrating cannabis culture.
Although they do not officially endorse the illegal consumption, they do provide playlists such as chill, smoke and vibe categories.
Playlists are now being curated for background listening, showing how music has evolved to compliment a mood and not a message.
What once changed the system is now comfortably a part of it, so the question is…has 420 lost its edge?
READ MORE FROM MAISIE SHARP-FEHR: Music news: What are Pink Floyd doing on a football shirt?
