Between the deaths of famous musicians, rampant drug abuse, and drug culture in music, it’s clear that for one reason or another that drugs and music seem to find themselves crossing paths quite frequently. Why is this, and when did it begin? It’s difficult to pin down an exact answer to this question; we’ve seen that drugs have always been a part of rap music in one form or another, that drugs can affect even the most prestigious of musicians, and that death is a distinct possibility. So why do we continue to see drugs as a part of music culture? The trail to the answer is a difficult one to find, but it begins in the 1950s and 1960s, when counterculture, social change, and drug use were all on the rise.

Music during this time became less about telling a story and more about sending a message. Where radios once played ballads of love, they now played protest songs, rock and roll, or psychedelic rock. These genres not only told a story, but included a message as well, and often that message was one of going against the grain of normal society. An avenue to pursue this counterculture attitude was drug abuse. At the time, drugs like marijuana and LSD were being used in higher numbers than ever before, and were central to the cultural movements of the 1960s and 70s. Popular music of the time, such as that of The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, The Who, and more all included references to substance use in their songs, and many were encouraged to participate as a way to include themselves in the music and the cultural movement it helped to bring. Rock music continued to be linked to drug use, while genres like rap started to include lyrics referencing drug use as well. In the mid 90s, electronic dance music became popular worldwide, and drugs that enhance sensory experiences like MDMA became a staple of the culture as a part of EDM’s rising popularity.

So why does this continue today, despite a growing market for music outside of the counterculture community, and a greater knowledge of the dangers posed by drugs? With a growing market, more pressure is put on artists to perform better, more often, and to produce music at a faster rate. The importance of critical praise has never been higher. Needless to say, the pressure for many musicians is unimaginable, and turning to a drug to help relieve stress may seem like a good idea. Many musicians are also young, and tend not to understand or care about the risks posed by drugs. Since drugs have been a part of musical culture for so long, a great deal of drug use is now ignored or simply encouraged. Peer pressure is also high, as other musicians or producers may encourage drug use to help their stars relax or produce more music. Wealth also plays a significant role in drug use amongst musicians, as money and youth tend to be a dangerous combination. Many young musicians find themselves with more money than they ever imagined in an environment that’s extremely permissive of drug use. Naturally, this is far from a healthy scenario for young, impressionable musicians.

Musicians and drug abuse seem to be intrinsically linked. Many take drugs to enhance their experience or relax due to their stressful lifestyle, and as such become supporters of their chosen drug. Many then decide to include this in their music, as many write about and glorify their lifestyles. As such, the concept of drugs and music seems to be a cycle that may never end. What’s important is recognizing that musicians are people with real stresses, problems, faults, and pressures like anyone else. Drug addiction and abuse are also difficult to live with, and for some, writing and singing songs relating to drug use is a cathartic coping mechanism. Drugs may sound enticing when sung about, but the reality is that no matter how good a song about drugs may be, drugs are anything but.