Tyler’s straight-edge lifestyle has been a large part of his personality from the very beginning, despite being surrounded by his permanently stoned Odd Future crew 90% of the time. This Chicago born and raised rapper is one of the few artists that has not only represented the genre of hip-hop in a positive light, but has been a model of consistency in both his artform and personal life. He even told VIBE magazine that he had to re-learn how to record songs while sober. To put it in perspective, he stopped mid-song during a concert in Detroit, just because he couldn’t relate to his old music anymore. He told the crowd that he doesn’t do any of that anymore, and couldn’t fully connect with the content of the songs—which is definitely a good thing.
In a 2013 interview with Paper Magazine, Pharrell said he doesn’t do drugs or smokes at all. “Everybody else can do what they want, but that stuff isn’t for me. I’ve been drunk nine times in my life, and I ate some weed brownies once and passed out in a bathroom.” But in a 2003 interview with The Guardian, Mr. 3000 said that he quit smoking pot and drinking in 1998 after realizing that the drug had taken control of his life. I had a platinum album out and I would do stuff like go to the projects to buy weed,” he said. “I knew it wasn’t too clever. I was putting myself in danger,” he stated.
The rapper turned actor, who recently won the 2015 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and 2015 Academy Award for Best Original Song for his John Legend-assisted track “Glory” (off of the Selma movie soundtrack), has actually never touched the herb. KOD’s “A.T.M.” and “Kevin’s Heart” videos cost him more than $500,000 dollars to make. For “Kevin’s Heart,” Cole recruited longtime friend/comedian Kevin Hart to essentially relive his cheating scandal from last year. It was speculated that the ruckus started after Diddy confronted Kendrick Lamar over his controversial “Control” verse in which he labeled himself the “King of New York.” It was rumored that Cole stepped in to defend Lamar, and thus, the fight ensued. Shortly afterward, Cole’s manager hopped on Twitter and denied that he was beaten up and thrown out of the party. In an effort to squash the marijuana addiction rumors, Cole and Diddy later posted a lighthearted video together poking fun at the fight.
J Cole has made this whole album an experience for his audience. He has put people through his ups and down in his life to show others what addiction and drugs do. He is one of the most positive rappers of his time and teaches young people to do the right thing and not just the trend. He did a great job with this album and is defiantly one to listen to. Yeah, Young Chop doesn’t rap, does j cole do drugs 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.
Over the years, Eminem has battled, going back and forth from stoned to clean, even recording an album called Recovery, where he spilled his guts out about his demons. Years have gone by, and the full story hasn’t been told yet, but on his 2021 album, J. On a track titled “Let Go My Hand,” Cole raps, “My last scrap was with Puff Daddy, who would’ve thought it?” It closes with an appearance by Diddy delivering a prayer about love. Just days before his debut album was released in 2011, a rumor circulated on the blogs about Roc Nation label mates Rihanna and J.
Although his freeform hair and unkempt beard may suggest otherwise, the 4 Your Eyez Only rapper, has been marijuana free since 2011. Not to be outdone by his 2015 XXL freshman class alum Vince Staples, 2016 XXL Freshman, Lil Yachty aka Lil Boat, has also decided to embrace the sober life. Now that weed is legal in eight states, decriminalized in 13 and available for medical use in 29, no wonder 10 million more Americans smoke mary jane than 12 years ago. As early as middle school I soon learned that the “skunk” smell wasn’t a rodent at all, but the sweet fragrance of the mind-altering flower.
Well, apparently it was a bad experience with a weed brownie that ruined it for him. While “1985” grabbed all of the early attention and headlines, the stakes are highest when KOD zeroes in on recreational drug use. “Once an Addict (Interlude)” is the apex—Cole gets personal about his mother’s struggles with heartache and alcoholism, delivering a sprawling verse about her battles and his desire to save her.