War on Drugs

It is not shocking or novel news that musicians use drugs. I would give examples, but what would be the point, it would be harder to names a few that don’t do drugs. It’s also not particularly fascinating when musicians are arrested and charged with drug possession. Maybe it’s a little humorous when Willie Nelson’s tour bus is pulled over and pot is found, but that’s because the obvious tends to be hilarious. What grabs headlines and our attention is when musicians are charged with possession with intent to distribute. In Florida in December Reggae singer Buju Banton was nabbed trying to buy 5 kilograms worth of cocaine. Back in 2008 Warren G was pulled over in L.A. and a search of his car led to possession of marijuana with intent to sell charges. Also in 2008 in Arizona, Lil Wayne’s tour bus was stopped with 29 grams of cocaine, 41 grams of ecstasy and 3.75 ounces of weed. There was also a firearm on board. Surprisingly, this is not the incident that is about to send him to prison for a year. Why do seemingly successful musicians continue a life in drug distribution when it seems that they have so much more to lose?

Maybe for musicians this is a way of life that is hard to give up. The same way that many musicians keep their family and childhood friends nearby or on the payroll, this could be a way to for to stay connected to their roots. It’s not secret that Lil Wayne’s Cash Money Millionaires made their millions through the Louisiana drug trade. In Empire State of Mind Jay-Z gives the address of a former stash house. Clipse named their record company, “Re-Up” records. I’m also pretty sure that T.I’s rap sheet includes drug dealing charges. I’ll stop there because it would take days to list all the drug selling references in rap music. The point to be made, is that drug dealing was a career and a way of life for many musicians before they made it. It's possible that one doesn't want to completely let go of that former life.

Another factor could be the money. Yes musicians are making money through their craft, but nowhere near where they used to. Album sales are down and illegal downloads are rampant. The best way for a musician to make money is through exhausting tours and commercials endorsements. I don’t know about you but I don’t see Pepsi hiring Warren G for a Super bowl commercial anytime soon. Lil Wayne for careerbulider.com? Maybe the Christian Right can get Buju Banton to do anti gay marriage ads considering the appalling use of violent homophobia in his lyrics. The money in drug distribution is lucrative. In 1989 Pablo Escobar was ranked by Forbes at the 7th wealthiest man in the world. (Not that any of these musicians are at the level of Escobar, but it still highlights the wealth that can be gained.) Gwen Stefani, Pharrell, Beyonce, Jay Z, Russell Simmons, and a handful of others have clothing lines. 50 Cent had a pretty huge pay day with Vitamin Water. Even Courtney Love had her own guitar line with Fender. Drug dealing could be seen as just another business venture, albeit illegal, for musicians looking to gain a little more capital.

I should keep in mind that I don’t believe there have been trials for any of these, and we are all innocent until proven guilty.