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RTB Rewind: Luniz Drop a Weed Anthem for the Ages

RTB Rewind: Luniz Drop a Weed Anthem for the Ages

Published Tue, May 23, 2023 at 1:40 AM EDT

On May 23, 1995, Oakland natives Numskull and Yukmouth of the Luniz released one of the greatest weed anthems of all-time, "I Got 5 On It."

The single propelled their debut, Operation Stackola, to platinum status and helped declare Yuk and Num as two standout MCs with the lyrical ability to shine in an increasingly dense rap landscape. Featuring R&B singer Michael Marshall on the hook, over a sample of Club Nouveau's "Why You Treat Me So Bad," the two weave a tale about greedy friends who want to smoke up all the weed without putting in on it, and other comical stoner shenanigans, like rolling joints that are "longer than your extension."

"It's too many heads to be poppin' to let my friend hit it Bit/Unless you pull out the fat, crispy/Five-dollar bill, on the real, before it's history/‘Cause fools be havin' them vacuum lungs/And if you let 'em hit it for free, you hella dumb-da-dumb-dumb," Yuk offers on the first verse.

The song never really went out of style, although it did get a new spark when writer/director Jordan Peele cleverly used a creepy slowed-down flip of it to promote his film, Us.

"I Got 5 On It" also boasted one of the best remixes of the time, featuring a bevy of Bay Area talent including Dru Down, Spice-1, E-40, Richie Rich, Mac Mall and Shock G, who all showed up to throw Yukmouth and Numskull an assist.

Reminisce below.

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