Released: 1995 • Features: Michael Marshall
“I Got 5 On It” by Luniz, featuring Michael Marshall, isn’t just a track; it’s an anthem. At its core, this banger talks about chipping in on a bag of weed but trust, it’s layered with deeper nuances of community, resourcefulness, and the hustle of daily life. It’s a dive into the culture of sharing, the etiquette of puff-puff-pass, and an ode to the highs (pun intended) and lows of life on the grind. Now, let’s unwrap this lyrical blunt and see what’s packed inside.
From the jump, “Creep on in, Ayy, see I’m ridin’ high, whoa” sets the vibe — it’s laid back yet buzzing with anticipation. The opening lines encapsulate that feeling of cruising on a high, despite being “kinda broke this evening,” which speaks volumes about making the best out of less. When they say, “So all I got’s five, I got five,” it’s an invite into the communal aspect of rolling one up. Chipping in what you got, no matter how small, for the collective vibe. It’s hood economics 101, showcasing how folks come together to share a moment of escape from the reruns of daily struggle.
Digging into the line, “Player, give me some brew and I might just chill, But I’m the type that like to light another joint, like Cypress Hill,” there’s a nod to being content with simple pleasures yet always down for the next high. Cypress Hill, pioneers in advocating cannabis culture in hip-hop, get a shoutout, bridging connections across the rap game’s fabric. “I steal doobies, spit loogies when I puff on it” might sound like just having fun, but it’s also about seizing moments, however small, to find joy.
The heart of the track, the chorus, “I got five on it, grab your four, let’s get keyed,” is more than a catchy hook; it’s a rallying cry for unity. It’s about coming together, throwing what you’ve got into the pot (literally and metaphorically), and lifting each other up. The spirit of collaboration over competition is palpable.
Through verses that unfold, we get peeks into the realities of indulging in weed culture — from the communal smoking rules (“Hoochies can hit, but they know they gotta pitch in”) to the challenges of keeping up the habit (“I gotta take a whiz test to my P-O”). There’s a candidness to the lyrics, speaking on weed’s role in relaxation, social cohesion, and its pitfalls — like potentially flunking a drug test. Highlighting both camaraderie and the individual’s hustle, “I been smoked, Y’all get spray ya, lay you down up in the O-A-K the Town” tells of territorial pride and the gritty side of city life, reminding us that every high has its lows.
Luniz, with this track, didn’t just drop a song; they etched a cultural zeitgeist into the hip-hop canon. “I Got 5 On It” speaks to the essence of sharing, the highs of togetherness, and the stark realities of day-to-day living. It’s a testament to finding joy and community, even when the chips are down. To the uninitiated, it might seem like a simple tune about getting high, but peel back the layers, and it’s a rich tapestry of urban life, communal bonds, and the relentless pursuit of moments of bliss amidst the chaos.
