Pop Culture and the Glorification of Molly

January 9, 2013 by Admin
Filed under MDMA, Molly

Pop Culture and the Glorification of Molly

In March of last year, pop culture icon, Madonna, came under heavy fire for glamorizing the use of MDMA during a concert. She took the stage and shouted “How many people in this crowd have seen molly?” DJ Deadmau5 immediately went to his Facebook page and slammed Madonna for the glorification of molly. (Which they later squashed on Twitter).

Pop Culture and the Glorification of Molly: What is Molly?

“Molly” is the street name of the powder or crystal form of the drug MDMA, a chemical most commonly known for its use in the drug ecstasy. Unlike Ecstasy, which has a reputation for being laced with everything from caffeine to methamphetamine, molly — a name shortened from “molecule” — is thought of as “pure” MDMA.

Pop Culture and the Glorification of Molly: Drug Culture and Hip Hop

Hip hop and drug culture have long had a synergetic relationship. Hip hop began to flourish during the 1980’s crack epidemic. With it came addiction, violence, and incarceration on an unprecedented scale. However, crack also afforded opportunities for ambitious entrepreneurs in inner city neighborhoods. Those that sold crack were able to make a lot of money in a short amount of time. In the 90’s these dealers transferred their illicit business into the rap game. Crack was the originator of an entire generation of hip hop music – both funding it and being the subject of its content.

In the 90’s, rap culture was all about marijuana, with hits like “I got 5 on it” (Luniz), “Hits from the bong” (Cypress Hill), and “High Till I Die” (2 Pac). The late 90’s to early 2000’s rappers like Lil Wayne began to reference “syrup”- a mixture of prescription-strength cough syrup and soda. By 2012, it was all about molly.

In the last year, artists like Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, Juicy J, Rick Ross, French Montana, Mac Miller and newcomer Trinidad James have name-dropped the drug. At Miami’s Ultra Music Festival, where Madonna shouted to the crowd, “Have you seen molly?” flyers littered the ground.

Pop Culture and the Glorification of Molly: Brief History

MDMA was first popularized in the form of Ecstasy. It was the drug of choice at raves and underground nightclubs in the 1990’s. The drug was often mixed with other ingredients, and the idea of “pure” MDMA captivated users. At that time, it was almost an urban legend, users would claim they’d tried pure MDMA or had it to sell, but it was as elusive as an ecstasy-induced hallucination.

By the turn of the century, pure MDMA went from fantasy to reality, and became known as “Molly.” Unfortunately, not all “molly” is pure MDMA either. Substances like MDPV, methylone, mephedrone and butylone have been sold as molly. Obviously there is no standardization testing for street drugs, so you never really know what you’re going to get.

Pop Culture and the Glorification of Molly: Just say yes?

Culturally, we are moving into an era where drug use is less highly stigmatized by the general public, evidenced by the recent legalization of marijuana in Washington and Colorado. The post-war on drugs culture involves more lax attitude towards drug use, particularly among young people.

Sources:

http://thelowendtheory.blogspot.com/2005/04/back-like-cooked-crack-crack-cocaine.html

http://www.mademan.com/mm/10-best-rap-songs-about-weed.html

http://www.complex.com/music/2012/04/a-history-of-rappers-referencing-molly-in-songs

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1698675/trinidad-james-molly-drug-hip-hop.jhtml

http://www.tmz.com/2012/03/26/madonna-deadmau5-ecstacy-drugs-concert/#.T3CiAuykCB8

Tags: MDMA, molly, Pop Culture and the Glorification of Molly