Music had multiple purposes; to entertain, to pass the time, to express feelings and experiences, and for the listeners - to relate to. Each time the subject matter evolves. It started with musicians like Nas rapping about society's ills and since then has transcended to French Montana idolizing "Coke Boys" in his music. This is not to say there isn't an in between stage. Because there are socially conscious rappers such as Macklemore who continue to rap about social issues (i.e.  same-sex marriage). This article serves as a snapshot of 21st century hip-hop.

With the wave of internet "mainstream" music was of a new caliber. Hip-hop artists could be heard around the word. While this has had a positive effect there is still another side of the coin. I believe with the turn into the 21st century came the emergence of party drugs. This isn't to say that drugs haven't always been prevalent in hip-hop, because weed culture has had a strong hold on the rap game. It's always been popular, but recently hard drugs seem to have taken control of most rapper's subject matter. Molly, Xanax, Perks, Codeine syrup are a few name brand drugs (to say a few) that have started to become one of the more trending topics in recent years.

"Pop a molly, I'm sweating" is a coined catch phrase heard blasted on the radio months after Trinidad James released this single. Now, it is echoed constantly by both older and younger crowds. One of my close friends works at a summer sleep away camp in the recent couple weeks, and has told me even the 10-year-olds were joking about how their Altoid resembled a "Molly".

I don't recall knowing about Molly, let alone any type of drug when I was 10. This exposure to drugs at an early age for children can lead to more drug abuse and more drug trafficking. This isn't necessarily a rant on drugs, but rather an observation on how mainstream music has popularized drugs.

Musicians are always trying to experiment; to make that new sound and be the next big hit. This isn't a bad thing. Often they establish trends for people to follow. The Streetwear "Supreme" line has been known to hypebeasts, but didn't become popular to the popular until Tyler the Creator debuted his Supreme "swag" on television. Supreme had been around since the 1990s, but because of his appearance, the everyday hip-hop die hard has recently hopped on the Supreme bandwagon.

The same can be said for drugs. In his songs, the rapper Juicy J has started talk about getting "trippy mane". His songs entail him drinking codeine syrup, drinking alcohol, popping Xanax and smoking marijuana.  This is an example of drug abuse, of people just taking multiple drugs for fun, as they follow their idol. It's something to listen to while getting "turnt up".

I'm not saying that this is a new thing. Drugs have always been used for recreational purposes by artists and the listeners as a way to "enhance the moment". But with the recent developments in music, I would say the tables have turned, the moment now surrounds these vices.

This article's purpose isn't to denounce these rappers' choices, but bring light to the public how accessible drugs are slowly becoming to all people. It has become easier to get drugs than it is to get a job. And I'll leave you with that.