Think about the role of the 1960s drug culture in rock’s history. How are drugs and alcohol treated in contemporary music today? This is a question that looks at drug culture and music in the 60s and compares that to music today. Back in the 60s drug use was quite prevalent. It was seen as prevalent because it allowed artists to maximize their creative potential and create new production strategies. One relevant rock band that utilized drugs was the renowned Beetles. The Beetles made use of the psychedelic LSD, which was discovered in the 1950s. They used these psychedelics just like other artists at the time, to proctor new ways of production and to enhance their creativity. Another type of drug that made its way into music culture is Cocaine. Cocaine didn’t truly become widespread until the 70s but within Jazz culture, it can be considered the birth of Cocaine use. These Jazz musicians used Cocaine as a boost so they can play for as long as they can as well as a creativity enhancement. A popular jazz musician who made use of Cocaine was Dizzy Gillespie. Bands like the Beetles who made use of psychedelics influenced teens of that time as well. Because these artists were so popular, teens began wanting to mimic them and a part of that imitation was the use of drugs. Today, the use of drugs is still a big part of contemporary music. Drug use has become a big part of mainstream rap music. Songs like Percocet and Stripper Joint by Future, Lean 4 Real by Playboi Carti, and L$D by Asap Rocky all play a part in continuing the trend of displaying drug use in music. Some of the reasons that these artists use drugs is for some of the same ones that people musicians did back in the 60s. Other reasons are that drug use contributes to the portrayal of being a rap star and it can be used to deal with past difficulties and trauma, which can be included in music. Overall, drug use has been an influential part of contemporary music culture ever since the 60s and it can be considered negative or positive depending on who is asked. Some of the reasons drugs are used are similar to that of the 60s while there are added reasons.

References

Drugs and the connection to music in the 1960s. ON MUSICIAN. (2022, June 29). https://www.onmusician.com/drugs-and-the-connection-to-music-in-the-1960s

Olsen, A. (2019). The Connection between Jazz and Drug Abuse: A Comparative Look at the Effects of Widespread Narcotics Abuse on Jazz Music in the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. digitalcommons.du.edu. https://digitalcommons.du.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1054&context=musicology_student