Drugs in Rap: Dealing

Young Gucci Mane with his friends

Many rappers came from a background where drugs are a huge part of their life. Whether it be just being around friends and family using, or the rapper dealing drugs themselves. Take Radric Davis (AKA Gucci Mane) as an example, who began selling drugs at the age of thirteen. He was caught with crack cocaine while he was a college student, and served his first jail sentence. This is where he started writing raps.

The topic of selling drugs is massive in rap music. Lightly thrown around, almost boasting that they're involved in this lifestyle. In Bobby Shmurda's song, "Hot Ni**a", he raps about how he's "been selling crack since the fifth grade". He later confirmed in a 2016 interview that he has indeed been selling crack cocaine since he was ten years old. But this is a harsh reality for many of these artists. Hustling to provide for their families, protect themselves, and simply make money in a ruined neighbourhood. Beginning at such a young age due to family ties and needing to feel as if they're providing and following their friends and family.

In another 2014 interview, Shmurda goes into detail about why he started running drugs at such a young age. He explains that he didn't have friends his age, and his older brother and his brother's friends became a huge influence on him. While they were dealing in the 9th or 10th grade, he began much younger.

Gucci Mane also has almost the same story, involving his brother, which he goes into detail about in his book, The Autobiography of Gucci Mane.