Following my recent marijuana hiatus, which will likely be interrupted for The Roots show this week, a few things have changed in my life. I now get up at 8 a.m. almost every morning, I stopped eating 9 times a day, and I don’t allow myself to sit through stoner talk for more then 10 minutes. It feels good and I get a lot more done.
My fist days without bud were so hard that I had to delete all the Bob Marley from my iTunes. Believe me, I used to burn more trees than napalm. Anyway, since we broke up I’ve decided that an ode to Mary Jane was due.
Everybody’s got their own favourites when it’s time to spark so I figured I’d share some of mine. Here are a couple joints to zone out to or, if you’re like me now, just enjoy with a tall glass of orange juice.
Devin the Dude’s “Doobie Ashtray” tops the list for me. The mix between DJ Premier’s subtle cuts and Devin’s nonchalant flow is the best way to crack spliffage.
Follow it by Bone Thugs and Harmony’s “Budsmoker’s Only.” A bud-inspired melodic tune that you can bob your head to casually while getting your mind blown by the group’s trademark two-time flow.
Brand Nubian’s “Slow Down,” a classic track from ’91, will keep the cipher flowing smoothly. The sample-chorus echoes in your head as the strings take care of the rest.
Juelz Santana and Lil Wayne’s “Birds Flying High” will sustain your buzz. A Nina Simone sample carries the song as the two rappers deliver their own take on the art of smoking.
Then you can take it West Coast with Warren G. and Nate Dogg’s “Nobody Does it Better” followed by Snoop’s “It Blows My Mind” and top it off with Cypress Hill’s “Dr. Greenthumb.”
When the roaches are stacking and the baggie is dwindling, throw on “Electric Relaxation” by A Tribe Called Quest and Styles P.’s “I Get High” to end with a banger.
There’s definitely many more to add but if you need a soundtrack for your next session, throw these on and kick back. Let me end this with righteous words given to me by my ninth grade teacher: “Don’t smoke weed, read books!”
That being said, it would be a shame to stay baked on the couch this week. As mentioned before, the legendary Illadelph Roots crew is performing at Metropolis on March 25 so hurry if you don’t have your tickets yet.
There is also a ?uestlove DJ set on the same night at Le Sociale (on Bishop) organized by Sofa King Raw and Le Kop Shop. Tickets are available at Off The Hook (1021 Ste. Catherine W.) and Le Kop Shop (111 Roy E.)
For a good laugh, check out Hip-Hop Karaoke, a new concept in Montreal introduced at Lola Lounge every last Tuesday of the month and going on its second run next week. So if you think you can handle Busta’s “Gimme Some More” somewhere else than in the shower, come show them what you’ve got.
If you’re ready to get laced in to some new gear, check out ‘Illusion Of A Dream’ at Metropolis on March 22. The fashion show, attended by heavy industry people, will showcase new up-and-coming designers and give people a chance to catch a glimpse of the next trends. Keep an eye out for Proper Apparel, a local new brand that is simply too fly.
Got beats? Rhymes? Opinions? Events? Send them to my gmail…
Every-Ting Irie!
Classic Gems:
Afu-ra: “Whirlwind Through Cities”
BDP: “South Bronx”
Mos Def: “Traveling Man”
New Jams:
Little Brother feat. Kardinal Offishal: “Cross That Line (remix)”
DJ A-Trak: “Stuntin Like My Guitar”
Uncle Murder: “Bullit Bullit”
