Slowing rolls everywhere
Houston's hometown drug: Purple Drank gets its national TV closeup
ESPN is set to expose Houston for what (I thought) everyone already knew it was: The City of Syrup. Or as it's more widely known, Purple Drank.
Green Bay Packers defensive end Johnny Jolly was caught in the Bayou City, his hometown, in July 2008 enjoying a slow ride with a cup of that purple stuff — something that I, until this week, thought all Houstonians already knew about.
Maybe it's because I grew up with local rapper Big Moe (may he rest in peace) and his albums dedicated to the stuff (2000's City of Syrup and 2002's Purple World) spun at my high school house parties, but I figured everyone was familiar with the hip hop community's favored concoction of prescription cough syrup with codeine, Sprite and, sometimes, grape Jolly Ranchers.
Ever wondered why the rap stations slow their beats late at night? It's for everybodysipping some sizzurp.
And although a codeine-laced cocktail might not be the best recreational habit during training season, I'd venture to say it's one of the more harmless drugs on the market. Still, it got Jolly a second-degree felony drug charge.
An ESPN release says the network, will examine the "use of the drug-laced drink and the social and cultural phenomenon associated with it." The sports network spent several days filming in Houston for the report. The Outside the Lines report airs 8 a.m. Sunday on ESPN2.
If you were previously unfamiliar, these classic Houston rap songs should acquaint you with our city's well-loved Purple Drank.
"Purple World" by Big Moe, D-Gotti, D-Reck, Dirty $ and Tyte Eyez
"Purple Stuff" by Big Moe, Big Pokey, D-Gotti Project Pat and Ronnie Spencer
"Flossin" by Mike Jones
