2 chapters across the catalog
The discussion defines the "trap" as a one-way-in, one-way-out environment where the drug trade and music production are inextricably linked. A distinction is made between drugs sold for profit, such as crack and pills, and drugs consumed by the producers and artists, primarily "lean" (codeine cough syrup) and marijuana. The influence of the Black Mafia Family (BMF) is noted as a significant factor in the influx of money and the professionalization of the rap scene.
"Lean," a mixture of prescription cough syrup and soda, is traced from its origins in Texas with UGK and Pimp C to its global explosion through artists like Lil Wayne. The hosts discuss the cultural markers of lean, such as double styrofoam cups and the color purple, and its presence in high-profile events like the Trayvon Martin case. They critique the pharmaceutical industry for its role in the opioid epidemic and the marketing of products like ZzzQuil that mimic the aesthetic of the drug.
