VIBE 25 Great Albums To Smoke To

VIBE's 4/20 Playlist! 25 Albums That Sound Better When You're Smoking Weed

April 20, 2012 - 9:30 pm by VIBE

It's that time of year again! Today, April 20th, marks the unofficial marijuana holiday known simply as '4/20.' Mary Jane indulgers everywhere take a minute or two—or all day rather—to blow it down and celebrate the pleasures of THC. While the herb isn't legal in most states, and only legal for 'medicinal purposes' in others, the rotation of blunts being passed will surely be celebrated out in the open throughout the city—nah, we think it's safe to say throughout the world. 

What's 4/20 without some big tunes to blaze to though? From Bob Marley to Sublime, Wu-Tang to D'Angelo, The Weeknd to Nirvana, and everything in between, we've put together a list of 25 albums that will make your trip to Cloud 9 that much greater. So whether you smoke it, toke it, puff it, or pass it, we got you covered on the music side. Just don't blame us if you get caught out there with the bud!—Keenan Higgins

VIBE 25 Great Albums To Smoke To
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VIBE 25 Great Albums To Smoke To

The Chronic - Dr. Dre (1992)
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The Chronic - Dr. Dre (1992)

The "Don Juan" of weed culture albums. I mean, just check the album title! Dr. Dre made history with this album, and gave us something real to blaze to.Burning Track: "Nuthin' But A 'G' Thang" (feat. Snoop Dogg)[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Legend - Bob Marley (1984)
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Legend - Bob Marley (1984)

The man, the myth—the King of this shit! All hail Bob Marley for his inspirational and relaxing "mood" music. Rest In Peace forever. Respect!Burning Track: "Waiting In Vain"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Supa Dupa Fly - Missy Elliott (1997)
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Supa Dupa Fly - Missy Elliott (1997)

Missy Elliott really changed the game with this album. Those beats Timbaland helped produce sends you into space! Pair this with a nice blunt for a deep space experience.Burning Track: "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Tical - Method Man (1994)
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Tical - Method Man (1994)

"Everybody say stimuli!" Method Man wasn't lying. This album is the ultimate stimulation for 4/20Burning Track: "Stimulation"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Reasonable Doubt - Jay-Z (1996)
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Reasonable Doubt - Jay-Z (1996)

The old school vibe on Jay-Z's debut album gives it the perfect laid back feel. Definitely great for smoking to.Burning Track: "Feelin' It"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Kush & OJ - Wiz Khalifa (2010)
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Kush & OJ - Wiz Khalifa (2010)

Not only was this Wiz Khalifa's defining mixtape, but the dude became a staple in weed culture. He also made "wake and bake" one of the biggest phrases used among weed smokers.Burning Track: "Waken Baken" [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
K.I.D.S. - Mac Miller (2010)
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K.I.D.S. - Mac Miller (2010)

Mac Miller took the 1995 cult classic movie Kids as inspiration and made a dope ass mixtape. Blaring this tape while a cipher is in progress is perfect for days like today.Burning Track: "Kool Aid & Frozen Pizza"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
xx - The xx (2009)
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xx - The xx (2009)

If you're not familiar with The xx, consider this your wake up call! Airy, soft, and chill—three words that describe their sound perfectly. Their cover of Aaliyah's "Hot Like Fire" alone is perfect for smoke sessions.Burning Track: "Islands"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
House Of Balloons - The Weeknd (2011)
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House Of Balloons - The Weeknd (2011)

There's so much to be said about The Weeknd and his progressive sound—one that finds a common ground between dubstep and R&B. Close your eyes, take a few pulls, blast this in your ears, and we guarantee you'll be on a different planet.Burning Track: "What You Need"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Pilot Talk - Curren$y (2010)
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Pilot Talk - Curren$y (2010)

Hip-Hop's underground "man-in-waiting" Curren$y is one of the most authentic rappers to come through the game in a while. His embrace of weed culture can be heard al throughout this album.Burning Track: "Audio Dope II"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Graduation - Kanye West (2007)
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Graduation - Kanye West (2007)

You can look at the album cover and tell that this Kanye West album is gonna take you on a trippy musical experience. Yeezy definitely knew what he was doing with this album.Burning Track: "I Wonder"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Nostalgia, Ultra - Frank Ocean (2011)
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Nostalgia, Ultra - Frank Ocean (2011)

Frank, Frank Frank....what is there to really say about Frank Ocean that hasn't already been said? Just grab a blunt and sit back to this. No disappointments, promise.Burning Track: "Strawberry Swing"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Food & Liquor - Lupe Fiasco (2006)
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Food & Liquor - Lupe Fiasco (2006)

Lupe kicked off—no pun intended!—pretty hard with this debut. The mood gives you skate park stoner meets Chicago streets.Burning Track: "Kick, Push"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Nevermind - Nirvana (1991)
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Nevermind - Nirvana (1991)

"I'm so ugly. That's ok, 'cause so are you!" Alternative icons Nirvana helped us cope with those rough patches in life with this classic. This is one of those "sit back and reflect on life" weed albums.Burning Track: "Lithium"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
MTV Unplugged No. 2.0 - Lauryn Hill (2002)
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MTV Unplugged No. 2.0 - Lauryn Hill (2002)

Man, did Lauryn Hill give us a live album or what! This album, paired with some green kush, will seriously tap into your inner self. Weed and wisdom for the win!Burning Track: "Just Like Water"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Man On The Moon: The End Of Day - Kid Cudi (2009)
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Man On The Moon: The End Of Day - Kid Cudi (2009)

The beginnings of "the lonely stoner." Kid Cudi gave both the highs and lows of stoner life on this album. This is guaranteed to have you walking on the moon midway through listening.Burning Track: "Day N' Night"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Like Water For Chocolate - Common (2000)
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Like Water For Chocolate - Common (2000)

Common grabbed us by the ears—and lungs—with this definitive album of his career. Grab a light and listen to "The Light." J Dilla, we thank you!Burning Track: "The Light" (feat. Bilal)[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
40oz. To Freedom - Sublime (1992)
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40oz. To Freedom - Sublime (1992)

All our Ska fans out there know how important and influential this Sublime album is. This one is for the "free-spirited, fun, hippy-type" smoker.Burning Track: "Smoke Two Joints"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers - Wu-Tang Clan (1993)
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Enter The Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers - Wu-Tang Clan (1993)

This Wu-Tang Clan debut is definitely a street classic. Listening to this while smoking will definitely make you want to gather up ya people and form a rap supergroup. Hey, you can dream.Burning Track: "C.R.E.A.M."[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Doggystyle - Snoop Dogg (1993)
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Doggystyle - Snoop Dogg (1993)

Snoop Dogg, the undisputed King of marijuana living, came with some amazing stuff on this debut. When you're on your 'chronic break,' make sure you toke one for Snoop, just because.Burning Track: "Gin and Juice"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Brown Sugar - D'Angelo (1995)
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Brown Sugar - D'Angelo (1995)

Blowout Comb - Digable Planets (1994)
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Blowout Comb - Digable Planets (1994)

Yes, we are taking you back with this one! You may be too young to know about Digable Planets, but best believe this is a banger for those "cloudy" days.Burning Tracks: "Blowing Out" [videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Black Sunday - Cypress Hill (1993)
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Black Sunday - Cypress Hill (1993)

Cypress Hill made this dope album that gives you a "driving down the LBC in a low rider" vibe from start to finish.Burning Track: "I Wanna Get High"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Black On Both Sides - Mos Def (1999)
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Black On Both Sides - Mos Def (1999)

On this debut album, Mos Def found a brilliant way of taking hard Brooklyn cuts and Black hipster anthems and making it all work together. Don't let today pass without banging this in your ears.Burning Track: "UMI Says"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
Baduizm - Erykah Badu (1997)
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Baduizm - Erykah Badu (1997)

Oooh Badu! Erykah Badu set the blueprint for soul, spirituality, and afrocentricity in R&B with this one. This needs to played from beginning to end with a blunt smoked down to a roach. "Here I am...on a cloud..." We feel you Badu!Burning Track: "4 Leaf Clover"[videoembed size="full_width" alignment="center"][/videoembed]
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