Rising hip-hop star Demrick is passionate about cannabis activism, creativity and making music

resh
off his performance at the High Times
Cannabis Cup in San Bernardino, California, Demrick jumped on a call to tell CULTURE about his life, his love of
cannabis and his passion for music. Don’t be mistaken, although some may characterize
him as an “up-and-coming” artist, he is far from being a newbie on the scene.
He has years of recording, performing and touring with the likes of B-Real,
Xzibit, and Berner. The fact that he did all of this before his first solo
release is testament not only to his skills, but also to the respect he has
already gained within the industry. Newly signed to Battle Axe Records, the
release of Losing Focus will only
solidify Demrick’s rightful place among hip-hop’s finest.

Losing Focus is your
first solo release, how does it represent you and your growth as an artist?

It’s like coming into my own
and losing focus from the norm. I felt like I wanted to make something that was
true to me and where I’m at, at this point in my life. It’s real true to my
life. I wanted something that you could ride around in your car and hotbox from
song one, on. It’s got some different vibes, and it takes you up and down, but
it has a stony undertone for sure.

Speaking of being stony, what role does cannabis play
in your creative process?

It’s just ever present. It’s
a part of my life. I always smoke when I make music. I definitely like to be
stoned or at least have a good head change to get creative. It helps with the
process.

Do you consider yourself to be a “green rapper,” or a
rapper who just happens to really enjoy cannabis?

I think that I’m definitely
not just a green rapper. There are other elements on the album where I speak
about my life, but [cannabis] is such a prevalent part of my life. I just
wanted to make some good “get high” songs. I have my own “get high” playlist,
so I wanted to make stuff to go in there, and I wanted to talk about my life,
and I wanted to talk about my aspirations—where I’m going and where I came
from.

You’re the newest artist on Madchild’s label, Battle
Axe Records. What has that experience been like so far?

It’s been awesome. The fans
are really cool, and they’re really loyal. They’re really about what the BaxWar
movement means. I’m happy to be a part of it and the core things that they
represent, like good music, a peaceful movement, building up, and trying to be
identified. I can relate to that, I like it a lot; the fans, the energy. The
crowds were there [on tour]. They have love for my music. I think they
understand the vision, like Madchild does, of where I’m trying to go.

You are well-known as a cannabis enthusiast, what is
your opinion of the state of the movement currently?

Obviously, legalization is
the goal. To be able to move freely and smoke cannabis would be the best thing.
I was on the Smokers Club tour, and we were actually in Bend, Oregon the day
that they got the recreational passed. We were performing onstage. To be there
for that, to witness that, was dope.

Do you have a favorite strain? What are you smoking on
right now?

What I’m actually physically
smoking on right now while we’re on this call is Jet Fuel. But, shout out to
Crown OG, I just started blazin’ a big ole’ thing I got at the Cannabis Cup.
They got that fire!

Losing Focus dropped in
February, what do you have going on now?

Definitely more videos. I’m
just gonna keep making good music and releasing powerful content and visuals.
As far as the tour thing, we’re finding the next one over the summer or in the
fall.