Branson’s legacy is cemented in art by Dave Chappelle, Nas, and The Notorious B.I.G. Here’s how he became a New York cannabis legend.
Who is Branson? Let’s just say that if modern weed mogul and Cookies CEO Berner mapped his business practice and product lineage on a family tree, Branson would be his grandfather. And Berner would be the first to tell you that his genius marketing practices trace back to Branson, Shiest Bubz, and other pre-social media cannabis pioneers. Berner even made it a priority to connect and partner with Branson on a legal weed venture.
I’m try’na bring back Branson (what up, legend?)” – Berner “Dope Boy” (2018)
Working out of a candy store-slash-juice bar in Harlem, Branson was a major conductor and distributor of high-grade marijuana and hash oils in NYC during the early ’90s. Operating in the thick of the War On Drugs, Branson was one of the rare standalone plugs that celebrity smokers visiting NYC could count on to deliver good gas. Hence the chronic name drops on songs from legendary rappers like The Notorious B.I.G., The LOX, Nas, and Redman.
Classic bars and movie scenes inspired by Branson’s bud
Long before Hip Hop and legal weed were billion dollar corporate licks, many of Branson’s legacy clients were pot culture’s loudest cannabis advocates, both on and off the record.
Here are some of the lyrics that cemented Branson’s place in history:
“Cause I’m crazy off that chronic from my man Branson/I shoot to kill, puff blunts in Hooterville” – Redman “Da Journee” (1994)
“Yo, yo, if I had twenty four hours to kick the bucket, fuck it/I’d probably eat some fried chicken and drink a Nantucket/Then go get a jar from Branson/And make sure I leave my mother the money to take care of grandson.” – Jadakiss “24 Hours to Live” (1997)
“Get my weed from Branson ’cause his sack’s bigger.” – Redman “Whateva Man” (1997)
“Spent half of my advance on jars from Branson/To make it through my circumstances.” – Ma$e “Top of the World” (1998)
“We used to buy weed from Norven/Now we straight Branson-ed out.” – N.O.R.E. “Hed” (1998)
“Bought ten bricks, four pounds of weed plants/From Branson, now we lampin, twelve room mansion” – The Notorious B.I.G. “Rap Phenomenon” (1999)
“Smoke a little Branson on the side of the mansion” – LL Cool J “Shut ‘Em Down” (2000)
“One-fo’-fo’ hydro smoke to choke on (Okay!)/Branson holdin handguns to toke on.” Redman “Lick a Shot” (2001)
“It’s a Bentley to you, to me it’s a blue car/So Branson pass me a jar/’Cause these cats done went too far” – Puff Daddy and the Family “Diddy” (2001)
“But where’s your money?/You wanna start that bad?/You spent it all on Branson.” – Cam’Ron “Stan (Remix)” (2001)
“Uptown strawberries haze, switch blades in my dungarees
Pineapple weed, look what Branson done done to me
Hash like Government cheese, burning til my pen run out of ink” – Redman “Branson, Branson” (2007)
“In your memory I keep the Coogi in my closet/Kangol on the rack, a fresh pair of Wallies/You know I’m still the liquor and the weed child/And still got Branson on speed dial.” – Jadakiss “Letter to B.I.G.” (2009)
The stories about how hard it was to find quality weed in New York City back in the day are endless. In that era, if you weren’t well-connected, the high-THC “chronic” strains that West Coast rappers bragged about were damn near mythical. But many of the best buds that did make it to the East Coast back then hit the streets in triangle-shaped baggies associated with a legacy market pioneer known simply as Branson.
What makes Branson’s buds a weed-storians holy grail?
In the famous stoner flick Half Baked, Dave Chappelle is pressured by an animated weed kingpin named Samson, who has some striking similarities to Branson. Including serving rap stars like the fictional Sir Smoka Lot.
Most bud heads are familiar with Redman and Method Man’s Cheech & Chong-style How High comedy franchise. But few remember that Method and Red coined the famous “How High” title way back in 1995.
Three Januaries ago, Redman took social media’s more seasoned puffers on a walk down memory lane. While rummaging through old clothes at his mother’s house, the Newark, NJ native struck cannabis gold: a 20-year-old original sack of Branson-era weed.
How high can you get off 20-year-old weed?
The shelf life of cannabis depends on a number of factors. Depending on how it was grown, cured, and stored, potency could be preserved for about 10 years. But if you ever find an old stash, at least check it for mold and other signs of degredation before lighting up.
Although Red’s Branson bag was about 10 years past being smokable, his video gave a refreshing and uplifting hit of nostalgia for some, and put others on to the important influence this underground trailblazer had on the modern industry.
