Hip-hop’s relationship with Mary Jane has always been a beloved one. From song from artists like Styles P, Curren$y and Snoop Dogg, laying back and enjoying nature’s herbs is a coveted pastime in the game.
But we wouldn’t be able to enjoy it all without the inclusion of cigars and rolling papers. Sure, we have vapes and other creative ways to reach aerial heights, but the OG accessories bring a different element to the table. The herb holiday might be a perfect time for enthusiasts to light one in the air, but VIBE was inspired to pay homage to hip-hop’s love for the preroll.
Only keeping the VIBE-era in mind (starting from 1992), we analyzed companies like Swisher Sweets, Phillies and more, along with its ambassadors throughout the game like Snoop Dogg, Cypress Hill and Wiz Khalifa.
Enjoy the brief timeline of Hip-Hop’s relationship with cigars and rolling papers below.
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1. Zig Zag
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Established Since 1855
Peak Years of Popularity (In Hip Hop): 1992-1996 / 2009-2013
Most Popular in California
Top Ambassadors: Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, Curren$y, Juicy J
In 1988, N.W.A. founder Eazy-E established Zig Zag as the official rolling paper for west-coasters after referencing the brand on a song from his solo debut, Eazy-Duz-It. In subsequent years, Zig Zag would appear on songs from legends like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, 2Pac, and B-Real, resulting in the brand becoming synonymous with the west coast.
The decline in west coast rap’s popularity during the latter half of the ’90s would result in a decreased amount of nods to Zig Zag within hip-hop, as other brands continued to dominate the conversation. In 2009, Zig Zag’s standing among rap fans would receive a jolt when Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y teamed up for their collaborative mixtape How Fly, which included numerous references to the brand. However, as other brands of rolling papers began to dominate the market, Zig Zag’s approval rating faltered slightly, but continues to transcend generations and will forever be remembered as the O.G. smokers utensil.
2. E-Z Wider
Established Since 1972
Peak Years of Popularity (In Hip Hop): 1992-1996 / 2008-2011
Most Popular in New York
Top Ambassadors: Wiz Khalifa, Chris Webby
The east coast’s affinity for blunts is well-documented, but for a brief period during the ’90s, EZ-Wider became the alternative for a select group of rappers out of New York City. Introduced into to hip-hop lexicon by A Tribe Called Quest member Phife Dawg on “Scenario (Demo 2),” EZ-Wider enjoyed a short run among smokers in the hip-hop community before losing its luster by the mid-’90s.
After more than a decade of sporadic mentions in rap songs, EZ-Wider made a comeback. This was largely on the strength of rappers like Wiz Khalifa, who brought the brand back to prominence in the late aughts during his transition from rolling cigars to smoking using paper. Over the past decade, EZ-Wider’s popularity has been eclipsed by competing brands in the market, but its place within hip-hop history is secure.
3. Phillies Cigars (Known as Phillie Blunts)
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Established Since 1910
Peak Years of Popularity (In Hip Hop): 1992-1999
Most Popular in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Atlanta
Top Ambassadors: Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Redman, Big Pun, Big Boi, N.O.R.E., Big L
The first cigar to truly reign supreme in hip-hop is the Phillie blunt with a history that runs deep. Referenced as early as 1989, the Phillie came to prominence during the early ’90s, with rappers like Redman, Nas, and The Notorious B.I.G. becoming unofficial ambassadors of the brand.
Found in some of the most memorable rap songs of all-time, the Phillie blunt was the cigar of choice on the east coast but began to spread to regions like the south and midwest, with artists like Big Boi of Outkast, and Twista singing its praises. By the end of the ’90s, the popularity of the Phillie blunt began to wane, and while it still receives the occasional mention for nostalgic purposes, has never regained its stature as the go-to cigar in hip-hop.
4. Swisher Sweets
Established Since 1959
Peak Years of Popularity (In Hip Hop): 1993-Present
Most Popular in California, Texas, Tennessee, Illinois, Louisiana
Top Ambassadors: Three 6 Mafia, UGK, 8Ball & MJG, Scarface, Kid Ink, Lil Wayne, Freddie Gibbs, Gucci Mane, Wiz Khalifa, The Game, Lil Durk, Fat Trel, Ab-Soul, YG, Danny Brown, Fredo Santana, Machine Gun Kelly, Wale, Mac Miller, G-Eazy, G Herbo, Kevin Gates, Jeezy, 21 Savage
During the early ’90s, Swisher Sweets emerged as the cigar brand of choice among marijuana enthusiasts in the south and western regions of the country. Since as early as 1993, when rap group Souls of Mischief helped put the brand on the map, Swisher Sweets cigars have become a staple in hip-hop, maintaining their popularity for the better part of a quarter century.
Over the years, Swisher Sweets has been name-dropped in songs by rappers from all corners of the country, but rap legends UGK and Three 6 Mafia were among the brand’s most fervent supporters. Today, artists like Gucci Mane and Lil Yachty continue to keep Swisher Sweet in the public consciousness and recognized as one of the legacy smoking utensils in hip-hop culture
5. White Owl Cigarillos
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Established Since 1887
Peak Years of Popularity (In Hip Hop): 1993-1997
Most Popular in New York
Top Ambassadors: Wu-Tang Clan
One cigar that caught traction among marijuana aficionados during the early-mid ’90s was the White Owl, which became one of the leading brands on the east coast at its peak. Initially popping up on the rap radar via a mention by Gang Starr member Guru in 1992, White Owl would be championed by a number of rap artists out of New York. One act that helped solidify White Owl’s standing within hip-hop culture was the Wu-Tang Clan, as numerous members of the Staten Island-based collective paid homage to the brand until its sudden decrease in popularity during the latter half of the decade.
6. Optimo
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Established Since 1898
Peak Years of Popularity (In Hip Hop): 1997-2001
Most Popular in Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee
Top Ambassador: Juicy J
The Notorious B.I.G. may have immortalized the brand after referencing their cigars on his hit single “Big Poppa,” but Optimo’s lineage in hip-hop can be actually traced back to the southern region of the country. As rap acts out of the south began to reach a national audience during the latter half of the ’90s, Optimo’s approval rating skyrocketed as well, quickly becoming the cigar of choice for many of the region’s star talent.
This particularly proved true in states like Texas, Louisiana, and Tennessee, where Optimo was considered king among blunt smokers and mentioned at a seemingly constant clip. Optimo cigars are not as prominent in rap lyrics as they once were, but remain a legacy brand in the south and have earned their rightful place in the annals of hip-hop history.
7. Garcia Y Vega
Established Since 1882
Peak Years of Popularity (In Hip Hop):1995-2001
Most Popular in New York, California
Top Ambassador: JT tha Bigga Figga
One cigar brand that had a brief, but noteworthy run within hip-hop was Garcia Y Vega, which was touted by various rap artists on the east coast in beyond. Finding its way into a rap song as early as 1994, the popularity of the Garcia Y Vega cigar was largely relegated to the east coast during its peak years in the latter half of the ’90s.
The brand’s popularity reached all the way to California, where rappers like JT the Bigga Figga helped give Garcia Y Vega its cultural clout. Today, a Garcia Y Vega cigar is largely considered a relic, but its recognition within the hip-hop community as one of the defining brands for blunt-gut spillers is well-deserved.
8. Dutch Masters Cigars
Established Since 1911
Peak Years of Popularity (In Hip Hop): 1996-2008
Most Popular in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia
Top Ambassadors: Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, The Lox
In terms of sheer dominance of the market, Dutch Masters was once at the top of the list of cigars among marijuana smokers. Introduced by members of the Wu-Tang Clan during the group’s rise to power, Dutch Masters would quickly catch on with fellow New Yorkers, including like-minded rap acts Mobb Deep and The LOX.
By the time the smoke from the cigar wars of the ’90s cleared, Dutch Masters was the clear victor, as the brand extended its dominance into the next decade. While Dutch Masters’ stronghold on the lungs of rap artists and fans alike began to dissipate by the end of the aughts, the brand still receives nods til this day and remains the go-to cigar within the hip-hop community.
9. Backwoods Smokes
Established Since 1973
Peak Years of Popularity (In Hip Hop): 1998-2005, 2013-Present
Most Popular in New York, Philadelphia, California, Texas, Atlanta
Top Ambassadors: Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Mac Dre, Travis Scott, Lil Yachty,
One cigar that has transcended regions and managed to sustain its standing among marijuana smokers is the Backwood, which has a history that is as rich as any brand in hip-hop. Referenced in a rap lyric as far back as 1994, by the turn of the century, Backwoods saw a spike in popularity, with rappers from the east coast and west coasts singing its praises.
After finding equal footing with the competing cigar brands at the time, Backwoods’ visibility within rap dipped during the latter half of the aughts, before returning to prominence the next decade. This was due in large part to the influx of a new generation of rap stars gravitating to the brand, resulting in it regaining its reputation as the unofficial cigar of hip-hop as of 2019 and moving forward.
10. RAW Rolling Papers
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Established Since 2005
Peak Years of Popularity (In Hip Hop): 2012-Present
Most Popular in North America
Top Ambassadors: Wiz Khalifa, Curren$y, 2 Chainz, Mick Jenkins, Chris Webby, Z-Ro, Futuristic
As the new kid on the block, RAW Rolling Papers may lack the rich history of other brands in the market, however, its place as the current smoking utensil of choice in hip-hop cannot be denied.
Establishing itself right in time for the cultural gravitation to rolling papers during the late aughts, RAW Rolling Papers capitalized on early cosigns from marijuana mavens like Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y to infiltrate the culture. With about a decade since its first mention in a rap song, RAW Papers have become a cultural institution in their own right, partnering with various rap artists and connecting the dots between hip-hop, culture, and marijuana.