Afroman remixes his 2001 mega hit Because I Got High in support of marijuana legalization. The lyrics have been changed to show a more positive and accurate message about marijuana. The Grammy-nominated rapper released the video in conjunction with medical marijuana dispensary locator app Weedmaps (the Yelp of legal marijuana dispensaries) and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) – a nonprofit organisation.
(To watch the video in Creation 5, just tap here).
NORML Director of Strategic Partnerships Sabrina Fendrick said in a statement: “NORML is thrilled to have brought Weedmaps and Afroman together to create this unique cultural collaboration merging art, entertainment and activism into a single campaign that highlights many of the positive benefits of cannabis, and raises awareness for the legalization initiatives coming up in the 2014 November elections.”
Afroman swapped the original negative lyrics like, “I was gonna pay my child support/ But then I got high” for ones including: “I had problems with glaucoma/But then I got high”. The original track took over the radio airwaves back in 2001 and although it showed marijuana in a negative light, it basically just poked fun at stoners and the whole marijuana culture. The new remix talks about how marijuana can be used to treat many disorders, plus help the economy.
“Because I Got High put me on the map – it’s what got me a record deal, a Grammy nomination and made me a household name. Getting high – and rapping about it – got me to where I am today and I’ll be forever grateful for that. With the current political battle with states trying to legalize weed, I thought it was a good time to educate – or set the record straight – about marijuana’s benefits, which is why I wanted to remake the song.” Afroman told Rolling Stone.
NORML tagged the song’s release with its campaign, dubbed Smoke the Vote, which is raising awareness for the upcoming 2014 elections in which Alaska, Oregon and Washington D.C. will vote on the legalization of marijuana for adults.
Here’s the original 2001 version (to watch in Creation 5, tap here)
