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Purple Haze & Cane Shuga: Six Decades of Drugs and Music

Drugs have been a relatively common theme in the lyrics of music since the 60s. But as usage and public opinion of different drugs change, so does their influence on music.

The Project

Each pair of decades has a page outlining a few major ways music was influenced by drug use at that time, across several different genres. This includes things like social and political issues related to drugs that were reflected in music, the creation of new sub-genres, and the significance of drugs in fan communities. 

Disco Ball

60s and 70s

Psychedelics transform the rock sound and the era of "sex, drugs, and rock & roll" begins.

DJ Headphones

80s and 90s

Ronald Reagan's war on drugs has devastating impacts on Black communities, reflected in a new wave of rap.

Image by Aleksandr Popov

00s and 10s

The war on drugs targets raves and faces continued criticism from artists in the wake of its failure.

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