Words by Jesse Serwer and Herbert Spliffington—
On this very day one year ago, we brought you our Toppa Top 10 weed tunes for 4/20. We missed some sure, but this was our countdown of the classics, those indisputable smokers anthems every reggae fan knows. In an effort to one-up our own selves, this year we thought we’d go a little deeper into the stacks and bring your attention to some hi-powered ganja anthems you might not remember, and not just because you forgot where you put them in your record crate. Some are more obscure than others, but they’re all deserving of rediscovery. Enjoy.
Screwdriver, “Ganja Killer”
Over Kangal’s version of the Heavenless riddim, Screwdriver laments the destruction of a farmer’s herb crop, calling the police and solider men “ganja murderers.”
Carlton Livingston, “Trodding Through the Jungle”
Three years after Dr. Dre put the world on to The Chronic in ’92, Beenie and Silver Cat dropped this underrated combination on the riddim of the same name.
Junior Wilson, “Ganja Man”
Even though Junior ‘Willow’ Wilson is asking how the ganja man operates his business, he sure seems to know a lot of specific details about it all. This one’s so obscure we couldn’t find it on Youtube but skip to 2:15 above on Titan Sound’s Agony riddim medley to hear it.
Sylford Walker, “Lamb’s Bread”
Sylford Walker devotes this song to his favorite strain, the mysterious Lamb’s Bread revered by Brooklyn MCs and Jacob Miller alike.
Max Romeo, “Smokey Room”
[audio:http://largeup.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/08-Smokey-Room.mp3|titles=08 Smokey Room]
Undoubtedly conceived while meditating in a smokey room in Lee Perry’s Black Ark Studios, Max Romeo sings the praises of Jamaican collie over all other nations, especially Columbia…
Tarrus Riley feat. Vybz Kartel and Demarco, “Herbs Promotion”
“Well mi no inna drugs and mi not much of a drinker. Foolish man drink fi drunk, yahhhh/Find me in my secret place—with my challawah.” You’d think with this much big-name talent, this melodramatic and well-executed “promotion” would be a lot better known.
Glen Brown, “Leggo the Herb Man”
Horace Ferguson, “Sensi Addict”
Although this was the title of his debut LP produced by Prince Jazzbo, Horace claimed in a UK interview that he doesn’t even smoke. Riiiiight!
Sandra Robinson, “Pass Me The Scale”
Ninjaman, “Legalize the Herb”
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