Music

A history of ‘sizzurp’ in song

Lil Wayne is not the first to rap about "sizzurp." There were many more before him.

Lil Wayne is not the first to rap about “sizzurp.” There were many more before him.   ( Omar Tobias Vega / Getty Images for Maxim)

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The chemical mixture known as “sizzurp” has become a quietly pervasive cultural force, turning up on countless rap tracks. When news broke that Lil Wayne was hospitalized after suffering a seizure March 12, many thought sizzurp might be to blame. Spokespeople for the rapper denied it, and he was released from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center six days after he was admitted. But sizzurp has long existed in the shadows of the music industry and is even suspected in several deaths. Here is a selection of excerpted lyrics that reference it.

Three 6 Mafia, 'Sippin' On Some Syrup' | 2000

“[...] sipping and dipping and tripping, man I’m bout all out
Sippin’ on some sizurp, sip, sippin’ on some, sip”

“Sexy thang on my arm, cup of drank in my palm And that crazy [...], I’m tripping on some skinny [...] Something that’s wholesome, Florida to Folsom And for the most I’m steady sippin’ on some sizzerp
Sippin’ on some siz-erp, sip, sippin’ on some, sip “  (Stefano Paltera / Associated Press)

Paul Wall, 'Sippin' Tha Barre' | 2005

“Sippin’ tha barre, grippin’ tha grain
I got 17 karats in my piece and chain
Sip-sippin’ tha barre, grippin’ tha grain
I got 17 karats in my piece and chain”  (Damon Winter / Los Angeles Times)

Pimp C featuring Mike Jones and Bun B, 'Pourin' Up' | 2006

“I said! Candy paint what I’m flippin on, 84’s and vogues what I’m tippin on
Momo wood grain I’m grippin on, codeine in cup I’m sippin on
I hog the lane in that candy train, swangin left and right then I turn up the bang”  (David J. Phillip / Associated Press)

Slim Thug featuring Pimp C and Bun B, 'Leanin' | 2009

Leanin’, leanin’, sittin’ sideways
Leanin’, leanin’, leanin’, sittin’ sideways
Leanin’, sittin’ sideways, leanin’, leanin’, sittin’ sideways
I’mma young [...] boy dat’s why I act dis way, rollin’ in the candy car leanin’ sittin’ sideways  (Peter Kramer / Getty Images)

Z-Ro featuring Lil O, 'I Can't Leave Drank Alone' | 2009

“I can’t leave drank alone it got me feening
Feeling feeling good feeling like a boss as I’m flippin through tha hood
I can’t leave drank alone
It got me feening
Feening feeling good
Feeling like a boss cause I’m creeping trough the hood
I can’t leave drank alone”   (Ray Tamarra / Getty Images)

Lil Wayne, 'Me and My Drank' | 2009

“Up in the studio me and my drank
Please let me be and let me do my thang
Thinkin about a certain..certain somebody
that perfect somebody sexy purple body”  (Gustavo Caballero / Getty Images )

A$AP Rocky, 'Purple Swag ' | 2011

“Purple drank, I still sip, purple weed blunt still lit
Real [...], real [...], purple swag, that trill [...]
Them candy cars, I’m coming down, that paint drip, I still tip”  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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