THE EVOLUTION OF
HIP HOP
THE
420
WORLD
BY MELISSA RONDON
PHOTOGRAPHS BY SLY VEGAS
In Part I of a new series, we sit down with
OG rapper BiggA to take an intimate
look at the coevolution of hip hop and
cannabis culture, the early days of hip
hop, and how cannabis has influenced
creators and the community at large.
NUGL Magazine is kicking off a spe-
cial series examining the relationship
between hip hop and cannabis culture.
Over the next few months, we’ll be talk-
ing to hip hop and rap legends about the
evolution of the genre over the years,
and how cannabis culture influenced
that evolution.
We are lucky to have with us BiggA,
our guide on this journey through music
and cannabis history. Over the next few
issues, we’ll be bringing you with us as
we explore the impact of cannabis on
the evolution of hip hop through the
eyes of some legendary musicians. Be
sure to check back with us as we travel
to Compton, California to hear firsthand
from some incredible members of the
rap and hip hop communities.
First, we’ll be diving into the early
years of hip hop, back when it was first
coming up as a force within the music
industry. We’ll take a look at its origins
and infancy, the cannabis connection,
and how it evolved into the music we
hear today.
There are countless stories out there
that have attempted to describe the evo-
lution of hip hop over the years. We find
8 NUGL Magazine