Ahh… it's that time again. A time when the leaves are changing from their summer radiance to more enriched earth tones. When the air begins to grace our lips with the crispiness of the coming change and the feeling of inner warmth begins to make up for the decreasing summer glow. The sun loses its late night hours but invites us to join the day just a little earlier. And the smells, those sweet smells, begin to over power our senses and send tingling anticipation all up and down our bodies. Ahh yes, it's that time again… This year's new crop-a-harvestin'!

Personally, for me this time of the year is better than Christmas. All my favorite suppliers are coming out of the woodwork with tantalizing delights, each with their own special blend. Crush, Blueberry, Kush, Purple etc… it's like going down to the tree on Christmas morning and having too many presents to unwrap. In keeping with the spirit of my favorite holiday I have decided to remember a few of those special songs that have helped me celebrate this time throughout the years. Here are just a few:

Cypress Hill
"Stoned is the Way of the Walk"
1991
Back in '91, hip-hop was going through a major cultural transformation. While everyone was trying to figure out the direction of the music, out come these three Latinos from South Central blatantly professing their love for Mother Earth's special blend, forever changing rap's musical content. Before they became parodies of themselves, these Los Angelinos were actually making a radical stance (well, sort of). "How I can Kill A Man" may have been their breakthrough single, but it was the second song on side two that solidified their image. From DJ Muggs' haunting sedated beat to B-Real's hood tales of bud- hungry strawberries looking for a fix, the song only lasted one verse, but forever changed rap music by making Cypress the first rap group to openly embrace marijuana on a major commercial scale.

R.B.L. Posse
"Don't Give No Bammer"
1991
Thing is, independent artists won't hesitate to let you know where they're at. The late Mr. Cee and Black C showed their love with their rejection of that dirty Brown Mexican brick weed. These guys didn't need the attention of no radio either to get their point across. "Bammer" was a self-produced effort on a small independent label, In-A-Minute records, which had major label results. People couldn't get enough and the group ended up selling thousands of copies before anyone from the music industry even noticed. In the end, the song was just reiterating what everyone in the Bay already knew; if it ain't the bomb then send the shit back!

Dr. Dre
The Chronic
1992
After leaving N.W.A. and creating one of Rap's most lovable Beefs between him and Eazy-E, Dre decided to devote his entire solo album to his newly discovered reefer madness. But heads were cautious since Dre's verse about " I still express that I don't smoke weed or sess" on "Express Yourself" was still fresh in their minds. The hesitation didn't last long since once the album dropped, everyone from black gangsters to white suburban thug wannabes were all instantly down for all things chronic. What Cypress Hill did for the Latinos in L.A., Dre did it for the rest of country and made weed a permanent fixture in gangsta rap forever. It's twelve years later and people are still saying things that Snoop and The Unforgettable D.O.C. had penned for Dre back on that album. After this album dropped, there was no turning back.

The Pharcyde
"Pack the Pipe"
1992
Four L.A. underground MCs who met while trying their luck as hip-hop dancers (yes, rappers use to dance back then) managed to put together an album that would introduce white kids to hip-hop for years to come. The album entitled Bizarre Ride II… was the exact opposite of Dre's album but shared its common love for dosia. They famously celebrate the neighborhood dealer with "Quinton's on His Way" followed by their ode to smoking utensils, " Pack the Pipe". This album became a huge commercial success due the single "Passin' Me By" and reached people who weren't necessarily listening to rap music. In fact, one of the most loyal fan base that this album still has remains within the hippie community. Often times, you can find this LP next to bands like Phish or the Grateful Dead rather than Soulja Slim or R.B.L. and honestly, if there's one thing hippie kids know about, it's drugs… right? Oh wait, that and trust funds.

Total Devastation
"Many Clouds Of Smoke"
1993
Okay, so this group wasn't the most lyrically inclined, but they did appear at a time when the whole marijuana movement was in full swing and these young San Franciscans took it upon themselves to rep the Bay in the entire thing. Not really on the Gangsta tip like Cypress or Dre, these cats had more in common with the Pharcyde, with sing-songy lyrics and a chorus sampling Smooth Bee chanting "I want to get blunted my brother". The song epitomized the typical bud smoker in the early 90's with one rhyme:
Cause we smoke fat blunts and write dope rhymes
Play video games and read High Times
But it's the verse where he finds his Dad's roach for the first time at age 9 and decided to hit it that will always hold a special place in my heart. This Bud's for you pops!

KRS-ONE
"Can't Wake Up"
1993
The idea of Kris dreaming about being a blunt being passed around is good enough, but the real beauty about this track is that it's basically a role call of every prominent smoker of the time. Puba, Black Sheep, Greg Nice, Fab Five Freddy…etc -- they're all mentioned. Even Slick Willy makes an appearance.

The Luniz
"I got 5 on It"
1995
Though several years late compared to these other tracks, the Luniz still managed to create an instant anthem for all potheads and in my opinion one of the most relevant to date. Think about it, how many of your broke-ass friends make a sudden appearance as soon as you split open the swisha. Everyone wants to join the party but, like Snoop said, "they ain't chipped in". Busters. So really, this song is essential in order to let all those who are getting hyped listening to The Chronic know that no one smokes for free. A true American classic.

Redman
"Smoke Buddah"
1996
Okay, so even though it's totally pointless to try and figure out which one of Redman's songs is his "ode to the smokin' Ls" I threw him in here to make two things clear: 1) Never doubt the power of weed in East Coast (they got this strand called Diesel though, shit's hard as hell to come by… trust me I've tried) and 2) Red will always out-smoke any one out there. Period. Sure, Method Man may have a more suitable namesake, but for Christ sake's this man's devoted his entire career to this one vice alone. Also, besides his verses on record, the guy hardly makes sense when he talks, a sign of a straight pothead. Really, you should just go out and buy his entire catalogue and you'll be straight for many sessions to come. Remember:
"If you ain't smokin' get the fuck out…"