Afroman

Afroman Artistfacts

  • July 28, 1974
  • Afroman makes laid-back, self-deprecating rap tunes with a particular focus on smoking marijuana. He's most famous for his 2001 hit "Because I Got High," but he also explores that genre in tracks like "420," "Let's Get High Tonight," and "I Smoke Weed."
  • His real name is Joseph Foreman. The name Afroman comes from his hairstyle, which he wore because he couldn't afford frequent trips to the barber. He didn't choose the name - a girl he knew started calling him Afroman and the name stuck.
  • He's from Southern California and attended Palmdale High School, but he later moved to Mississippi, and around 2007 he relocated to Winchester, Ohio, where low housing prices mean "I can live like a king."
  • "Because I Got High" was a #1 hit in many places you wouldn't expect. It topped the charts in the UK, Australia, Germany, Norway, Ireland, New Zealand, Austria and Denmark.
  • Afroman earned a Grammy nomination for "Because I Got High," which was up for Best Rap Solo Performance along with tracks by Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Nelly and DMX. The award went to Missy Elliott for "Get Ur Freak On."
  • He may be a one-hit wonder, but Afroman has endured as a successful touring musician, selling out many small venues and playing various cannabis-themed events. He uses backing tracks, which keeps his costs down. His shows are known for being fun and funny, with plenty of audience participation.
  • Unlike most rappers, he plays a guitar on stage, often a double-necked Epiphone. His songs are funny but his guitar playing is no joke - his solos get a great reaction.
  • In 2022, police raided his house on suspicion of drugs and kidnapping. They found no evidence of criminal activity but did discover a lemon pound cake. Afroman, who wasn't home during the raid, used surveillance footage to make some music videos about the incident (like "Will You Help Me Repair My Door"), which got millions of views after officers sued him for defamation. In 2026, after a trial that got Afroman a lot more attention, he won the lawsuit.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Fire On The Stage

Fire On The StageSong Writing

When you have a song called "Fire," it's tempting to set one - these guys did.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.