X-anarchy

In the drug world of today, Xanax has made a drastic climb. Once a drug stigmatized for stay at home moms, Xanax has now come to the forefront of millennial culture. In the world of music, Xanax has become so normalized that now there is a whole genre dedicated to it. Today, there is even a rapper with the name “Lil Xan”.  Although there is a wide array of artists to choose from, this post will analyze the song JAPAN by Famous Dex and its possible effects on the young minds of today.

The reason why the Xanax culture has become so popular today is because of the catchy beats rappers are able to employ. The mindless rhythms are fast pace and can blend into any large social gathering. The mix of snare drums, synthesizers, and simple piano chords are very pleasing to the ear. Famous Dex utilizes this form as well and JAPAN has reached almost 200,000,000 listens on Spotify. Given how many people have listened to this song, it is important to look at the lyrics and the possible outcomes they could produce.

JAPAN opens with the following lines:

Baby girl, what you doing, where your mans? (where your man)
I just popped a xan, fifty thousand in Japan (fifty thousand in Japan)
You know what I’m sayin’
I ain’t doin’ no playin’, you dig (Dexter)

Given the fast-paced beat and simple lyrics, it is easy for these lines to go in one ear and out the other. The lines,

Baby girl, what you doing, where your mans? (where your man)
I just popped a xan, fifty thousand in Japan (fifty thousand in Japan)

are repeated six more times throughout and make up the bones of the song. Evidently, Xanax is at the center of the song and is being glorified. The fact that Famous Dex repeats the lyrics of popping Xanax so many times makes the drug seem normal. Dex portrays Xanax in such a light that makes the drug appear acceptable for daily usage. This is saddening because Xanax has destroyed the lives of many and songs such as JAPAN are only increasing the acceptance of such a dangerous drug.

Not only do the lyrics of JAPAN exalt the use of Xanax but so does the music video.

 

 

In the video, you see Dex with his eyes barley open surrounded by three attractive girls. Given his appearance, it leads one to believe he might be under the influence of Xanax in the video. Much like the lyrics, the video normalizes the use of Xanax. Dex and the girls appear to be having such a good time which leaves the audience to want to be like Dex. If Dex has become so successful in the music world by rapping about Xanax, why then shouldn’t the audience try it? What harm is there in popping a bar or two like Dex?

What’s also alarming about the music video is the presence of lean (combination of codeine and sprite) as well. Lean is a whole new level of danger itself but when mixed with Xanax, it can become deadly. This is disturbing because Dex is normalizing the use of lean as well. By utilizing it in the music video, the audience starts to wonder why they shouldn’t try mixing lean and Xanax like Dex.

Even though Xanax has positive benefits for those struggling with anxiety, artists such as Famous Dex have turned it into a drug to be abused. Because of the rise of the Xanax culture, the drug now gets brought up in casual conversation. Xanax has become commonplace in our society and songs such as JAPAN run the danger of changing the millennial mindset towards the drug.

Speaking from personal experience, I have seen how Xanax has put the lives of multiple of my classmates at risk. Combined with substances such as lean or more commonly alcohol, it becomes deadly. Sadly, a boy I knew died from taking what he thought was Xanax but instead it was something else. An increase in the demand of Xanax also creates an increase in the demand for fakes. If songs such as JAPAN continue to be created, the Xanax culture will only become even more widely accepted which will only put more young lives at danger.

See WebMD to learn more about the dangers associated with Xanax: https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-9824/xanax-oral/details