All irony aside, it’s nice to see that the Chicago beatsmith doesn’t partake in any of Chief Keef’s wild shenanigans. Although Chop doesn’t do drugs, he does enjoy smoking hookah while in the studio. During the gap between his 2014 debut, Cilvia Demo, and 2016’s The Sun’s Tirade, Isaiah Rashad was dealing with an addiction to pills and alcohol. His addiction was severe to the point where he admitted he was almost dropped fromhis label, Top Dawg Entertainment.
Here’s a List of Rappers That Are Proud to Be Sober
Kid Cudi had a difficult upbringing that ultimately made him turn to drugs. He got increasingly into substance abuse the older he got, and it got worse the more prominent he became. The rapper had always dealt with anxiety and depression, but he began to sink deeper into those waters as time passed. When it got so bad that he started subconsciously plotting his death, he knew something had to change. Cudi informed his manager about his intention to go into rehab and was checked in soon after. Although it was a tough ride, and he tried to escape three times in the process, Cudi eventually beat his addiction.
Stay Sober: Rappers Who Don’t Smoke Or Drink
He’s pulled back far enough to be comfortable, but increasingly, he’s leaning back in. Not because he wants anything in particular; only because this time, he’s more sure of who he is. Cannabis has been apart of Hip-Hop’s DNA since its inception. From advocating its use in song lyrics, to promoting the sale of it via personal brands, Mary Jane has been apart of Hip-Hop culture for as long as it’s existed. A life-long musician, a former promoter, and a vinyl enthusiast, he loves digging into the stories behind the great artists of our time. With a background in academia, he is passionate about bringing rigour and insight to music journalism.
Another Perspective on Sobriety
Isaiah Rashad’s alcoholism continued after The Sun’s Tirade, resulting in an even longer gap between albums before eventually quitting drinking and smoking in 2019. After spending time in rehab, his third album, 2021’s The House is Burning, was recorded completely sober. Recently there has been a noticeable shift in the mindset of some MCs when it comes to self-medicating on opiates. These days, prescription drugs seem to be a part of the rapper starter kit. While, for the most part, drug use in hip-hop has never been taboo (meaning you can’t totally blame this on the kiddos), the promotion and use of drugs of the highly addictive nature is at an all-time high.
While hip-hop has its many celebratory moments from lyrics to accolades, in recent years, the genre has been hit sober rappers with the negative consequences of drug culture, which has claimed the lives of many young rappers. From Mac Miller’s fatal overdose to Juice WRLD’s drug-induced seizure, the link between death and addiction has been a recurring topic in rap. “I was running from my old life tryna get high didn’t want to face them demons…I’m getting help I might just go to rehab.” Before his untimely passing, he stated he hadn’t taken a sip in two months. All sober lives are different, but perhaps some more than others. Vince Staples already represents another facet of the sober life, in that he has never drunk, never taken drugs. “It’s not something that I honestly ever think about,” he says.
- Kay struggled with drinking and drugs after Cole’s stepfather, Edward, left in 2003 (K.O.D.’s only guest features come from his alter ego, Kill Edward, inspired by his stepfather).
- Dre quit smoking a year or two after Outkast’s debut album, Southernplayalisticadillamuzik.
- Some of today’s biggest names like Lil Wayne and Kid Cudi, among others, have spent much of their careers looking for a way to cope with their own personal traumas.
- Have you ever been the designated driver at a party or hung out in a room full of stoners while completely sober?
- Cole and Hamad have courtside seats, but they spend most of the game in the box.
- It’s fair to say that the genre has a close association with drugs and alcohol.
Lamar recalled the conversation he had with his father in an interview with SPIN’s Jessica Hopper. J. Cole’s KOD album even explored the severity of drug abuse and addiction. Unfortunately, drug use in hip hop is nothing new, as we have lost talents like Pimp C, Mac Miller, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and Juice WRLD to overdoses. As a result of the toll that addiction can take on an individual, many rappers have become sober and are inspiring others to do so as well. This is a list of rappers who are sober and recovering from former addictions. The man who built his career on rapping about drugs or the things he did while on drugs is sober today.
- Over the years, many rappers have sought help in an effort to deal with their addictions.
- On the hit single “Not Afraid,” Eminem raps, “It was my decision to get clean, I did it for me.” The hip hop icon celebrated his 15th year of sobriety earlier this year.
- “I’m very grateful to my parents for not setting strict limits on me,” Pevkur said.
- As you’ll see, the reasons these rappers have for staying sober are varied.
He has since helped his fellow rappers with their addictions. While many musicians struggle with drugs and alcohol, others choose to remain sober or get clean after experiences with addiction. Some famous rappers who don’t drink or do drugs went to rehab while other sober rappers quit cold turkey. A few famous rap stars who are sober even inspired other hip hop stars to Substance abuse kick their addictions for good.
You could cut the number of my friends in half if you remove those who I’ve never bonded with over bud. For artists, especially up-and-coming independents, smoking grass has always been a way to bond with fans on tour. I once smoked with Chiddy Bang in college and it was one of the best days of my life; I’ll always love Chiddy Bang because of it.
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After the incident, he picked himself up and got sober in 2008. Eminem’s battle with addiction is documented in some of the rapper’s albums. Relapse and Recovery, in particular, are two concept albums that detail the rapper’s relapse and recovery from drug addiction.
- “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,” he told Paper Magazine.
- Given more reasons to quit, including the overdose death of Mac Miller in September 2018, rappers are deciding enough is enough.
- In 2005, Eminem went to rehab and successfully achieved sobriety after spending time there.
- The reasons behind their strong dependence on alcohol and drugs are diverse.
- It was a deeply personal album that separated him from his Slim Shady alter ego.
- “I tried pretty much every drug there was to try,” he explained to “Complex.” Lecrae left that lifestyle behind and now refrains from drugs and alcohol.
The reasons behind their strong dependence on alcohol and drugs are diverse. It can include cultural influences, socioeconomic backgrounds, mental health struggles, and the desire to portray a particular image. Fortunately, artists who struggle with addiction often take the bold step of going to rehab. Over the years, many rappers have sought help in an effort to deal with their addictions. Also, some artists proudly speak out against the current drug obsession in Hip Hop.