Trends: Hip Hop and Marijuana

Adapting to a trend to stay relevant is what some hip-hop artist does now days.  To find something that works for you is key.   This can sometimes cause a lot of tension between fans and an artist.  Especially when a certain audience is use to a certain style and sound from an artist.  For instance, hip-hop artist Lil Wayne tells his reasoning on why he decided to switch trends while also being able to keep some of his dedicated fan base.

  A lot may call it selling out, but Lil Wayne says it’s all about reaching a new audience of fans.  This doesn’t always work, and of course some have tried and failed, but it seems to be working for him.   Going from the gangster image, to putting out a rock album, now to skateboarding; all have seemed to work for Lil Wayne, and work well at that.

Adapting to trends also comes with the decline of music sales.  Hip-hop needs to be able to survive.  With records sales diving through the floor, selling merchandise and an image is what’s next.  This comes with endorsements, acting roles, or even like Lil Wayne, switching up the image.  There are even times when critics think that a lot of the flashy jewelry and cars are just for the boasting, when in reality, sometimes its deeper than that.  Musicians in other genres have to walk a fine line of art and commerce so they don't offend their fan base. However, in hip-hop, the number of endorsements you score is part of your marketing plan.  This also separates the underground from the commercial music, hoping that when one switches over from underground to mainstream, the fan bas isn’t lost. 

Starting a new trend is just as powerful as adapting to new trends.  Though smoking marijuana isn’t a new thing, it sells in the music industry.  For those artists such as Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg, smoking marijuana is one of the best things they could’ve put in the spotlight when reaching their fans.  That demographic is one of the biggest audiences ever.  You don’t even have to like their music to listen to it or purchase it.  To know that they smoke Marijuana is enough to attract you to them.  Hip hop and marijuana influences many people.  As stated before, just because of his marijuana smoke, Wiz Khalifa has one of the largest fan bases in hip hop, mostly males.  He sticks by his brand by making music, "weed heads" can relate to, vibe to, and enjoy.  Though smoking is bad, hip hop and marijuana isn't always a negative thing.