Purple drank

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Purple drank is an illegal recreational drink popular in the hip-hop community of the Southern United States made popular by BIG RED (a rapper from southern california). Its main ingredient is prescription-strength cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine.^[1]

The hue of purple drank comes from dyes in the cough syrup. Other terms for Purple Drank include Sizzurp, Sirrp, Purple oil, Urrple Durrple, Purple stuff, (Dat) Drank, Purple Tonic, Texas Tea, Lean (alternatively Southern lean or Purple lean), Oil, Barre, and Sir.

Contents 1 History 2 Ingredients 2.1 Active ingredients 2.2 Other ingredients 3 Effects 4 References

[edit] History

Houston, Texas producer DJ Screw first popularized the concoction, which is widely attributed as a source of inspiration for the "chopped & screwed" style of hip hop music. Originally, the active ingredient of "Syrup" was cough syrup containing promethazine and codeine. The concoction first gained popularity in the underground Houston, Texas rap scene and later spread to other southern states.

In June of 2000, Three 6 Mafia's single "Sippin On Some Syrup," featuring UGK and Project Pat brought the term "purple stuff" to a nationwide audience.^[2] However, on November 16, 2000, only a few short months after the video to Three 6 Mafia's single debuted, DJ Screw died of a suspected overdose of codeine and alcohol.^[3]. The mixture has also been referenced in lyrics of other rappers, including UGK's "Sippin and Spinnin" and "Purple Drank", as well as tracks by Paul Wall, Mike Jones, T.I., Beanie Sigel, Big Moe, Slim Thug, Fat Joe, and Z-Ro. This drink is also rising in the streets of Oakland, and Vallejo, CA, after popular rappers such as the late Mac Dre and Keak Da Sneak mention the drink in many songs. In September of 2006, Terrence Kiel, a San Diego Chargers player, was arrested during practice for the possession with intent to sell of what authorities referred to as "Lean".^[4].

[edit] Ingredients

[edit] Active ingredients

The active ingredient of purple drank is codeine, a narcotic medication contained in prescription strength cough syrups due to its antitussive properties. Some prescription cough syrups also contain anti-histamine medications, such as promethazine, which have a mild sedative effect. When taken in large quantities, both medications can lead to sedation and altered levels of consciousness.^[1] Purple drank is not made with over-the-counter Robitussin. Although dextromethorphan is sometimes used recreationally, it has different effects and is used by a different community than codeine-based cough syrups.

[edit] Other ingredients

Cough syrups are usually mixed with a carbonated lemon-lime soft drink (generally Sprite). Fruit juice may also be added. Often, a Jolly Rancher will be added to the mix to add flavor.

[edit] Effects

The following are the effects of drinking syrup:

• Euphoria
• Feeling that everything is in slow-motion (this effect is the prime source for the inspiration for the sound and tempo of the hip hop subgenre screwed and chopped).
• Dizziness, often causing the user to list side-to-side. (This gives rise to one of the drug's alternate names, "Lean")
• Slowed reactions
• Inability to speak clearly
• Vomiting
• Visual color patterns (in high doses)
• Itching
• Blurred vision (possible blindness may follow if taken in high doses)^{[Source Needed]}
• Insomnia

[edit] References