UPDATED
As with so many pleasures of the flesh (see: cocktails, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, parades), New Orleans was a pioneer in marijuana consumption in America. As one of the country’s busiest ports in the late 1800s, it’s no surprise that Storyville, the city’s red light district, became a hotbed for “marihuana”, at least until its citywide ban in 1923. From early jazz horn players, to ’70s funk groups, to ’90s rappers, here are 10 of the most classic New Orleans songs to celebrate cannabis.
1. Kermit Ruffins – “Hide the Reefer”
The red-eyed trumpeter is well-known around town for his love of the good times, and as his star has expanded beyond the city, so has his reputation, landing him a feature in High Times. In this interview with the magazine he plays some of his crowd favorite “Hide the Reefer,” which has appeared on both his Swing This! and Live at Vaughan’s albums.
2. Lady Red – “Smokin Dat Weed”
Released on Lady Red’s self-titled debut album in 1996, this bounce track is a stone-cold classic, and still a party favorite today.
3. Herb Morand with the George Lewis Band – “If You’re A Viper”
For those that think odes to marijuana only became popular in the hip-hop era, it’s important to note that the topic was celebrated in jazz from almost the beginnings of the genre. Marijuana went hand in hand with life in the brothels of Storyville, where those who partook in the drug were called “vipers”. The oft-covered “If You’re A Viper” is done here by New Orleans trumpeter Herb Morand and an all-star cast of trad jazz players in 1949.
4. Wild Magnolias – “Smoke My Peace Pipe”
“In my pipe there’s some super bad herb / guaranteed to soothe your nerves.” This fiery funk track was included on the first-ever Mardi Gras Indian album, Wild Magnolias from 1974. The content of Big Chief Bo Dollis’ peace offering is pretty obvious, especially after hearing the inhaling sound effects added in the studio.
5. PxMxWx – “Splift Out”
Before there was Lady Red, Master P, Mystikal, Curren$y, or dozens of other local rappers praising Mary Jane, there was PxMxWx, the original New Orleans stoner rappers. The duo released Legalize “Pass Tha Weed” in 1993, one of the very first albums released on what was then-fledgling Cash Money Records.
6. Louis Armstrong – “Muggles”
Armstrong is the best known of all New Orleans jazz musicians, but maybe less well known was his penchant for marijuana, or “muggles” as the city’s early jazz players called it. The trumpeter was arrested for smoking outside a gig in Los Angeles in 1931, three years after he recorded his ode to his favorite “medicine”.
7. Ricky B – “Who Got Dat Fire”
On this classic bounce track from the mid-’90s, rapper Ricky B told the Odyssean tale of a man’s search throughout all the wards of New Orleans for the finest herb. That honor varies throughout the choruses from one ward to another, but Ricky B’s high-minded task never falters.
8. The Meters – “Grass”
It’s not explicit here, but the Meters definitely partied in their early(ier) days, and with a slow-but-funky, head-nodding, instrumental ditty called “Grass”, need we say more?
9. Galactic – “Sweet Leaf”
The Black Sabbath song used to be a favorite cover choice of Galactic when singer Theryl deClouet was still with the band, and it showed up on the group’s We Love ‘Em Tonight live album. Here the boys perform “Sweet Leaf” at the High Times Cannabis Cup in 2000.
10. Soulja Slim – “Get High With Me”
Really, any number of No Limit or Cash Money songs from the late 1990s/early 200s would’ve worked for the tenth spot on this list, but the Magnolia’s favorite son, Soulja Slim deserves particular mention. This song, featuring Mystikal, from 1998’s Give It 2 ‘Em Raw had the perfect lazy, sing-a-long vibe to cement it as a smoker’s anthem.
Honorable Mentions:
Stooges Brass Band – “Weed Drought”
It’s surprising there haven’t been more brass band songs about weed–the only time I’ve ever seen (let alone hear of) anybody smoking out of a carrot was at a second line–but this Stooges original is a classic of the genre, chronicling the pot head’s greatest dilemma.
Anything by Curren$y.
The local rapper has assumed the Weed King title not only at home, but all over the country, becoming widely acknowledged as the heir to Snoop Dogg’s throne. It’s hard to find a song where he doesn’t make reference to blunts or broccoli, but you can start with the free mixtape he released today, Covert Coup.
Update, 5:00 p.m., April 20, 2011:
We knew we would be forgetting some classic New Orleans weed songs in this list, and one of our Facebook followers was quick to point out a glaring omission: Dash Rip Rock’s “Let’s Go Smoke Some Pot”, set to the tune of early rock ‘n’ roll hit “At the Hop” by Danny & the Juniors.
