How to Read This Playlist
Jay-Z's catalog has provided the soundtrack for three decades of New York life — and a lot of New York smoke sessions. This playlist pairs ten classic Hov tracks with cannabis strains commonly available on the licensed New York adult-use market. Use it to build a tasting flight, a delivery order, or just a Friday night.
For context on why Jay-Z's cultural footprint matters to cannabis at all, read our companion piece on Jay-Z's influence on cannabis culture, entrepreneurship, and New York.
Adults 21+ only. Strain availability rotates by harvest. Cannabis affects everyone differently — start low, go slow.
Empire State of Mind→Sour Diesel
A bright, fast-acting sativa that captures the rush of walking out of the subway into Midtown. Sour Diesel is New York's signature strain and the obvious pairing for the city's anthem.
Shop Sour Diesel flower →December 4th→OG Kush
A cornerstone strain for a cornerstone track. OG Kush is the genetic backbone of modern cannabis the way Hov's origin story is the backbone of modern hip-hop.
Shop OG Kush flower →Izzo (H.O.V.A.)→Wedding Cake
A crowd-pleaser that everyone in the room recognizes. Wedding Cake is sweet, balanced, and built for celebration — perfect for a track that turns any party up.
Shop Wedding Cake pre-rolls →99 Problems→GMO
Pungent, gassy, and unapologetic. GMO is the strain for the moment Hov shrugs off everything trying to slow him down — heavy hitter for a heavy hitter.
Shop GMO flower →Encore→Runtz
Runtz brought a new generation of flavor-forward exotic flower to the front of the menu. Encore brought arena-level main-stage energy to a victory lap. Pair them.
Shop Runtz vapes →Song Cry→Granddaddy Purple
A heavy purple indica for one of Hov's most emotional tracks. Granddaddy Purple is built for the kind of quiet, dim-light reflection Song Cry calls for.
Shop Granddaddy Purple flower →Public Service Announcement (Interlude)→Jet Fuel (G6)
PSA is two minutes of pure adrenaline. Jet Fuel matches the energy — uplifting, alert, and immediately ready to start the day with intent.
Shop Jet Fuel pre-rolls →Dirt off Your Shoulder→Blue Dream
Blue Dream is the strain that goes with any room and any moment — exactly the energy of brushing your shoulders off and walking into the rest of your afternoon.
Shop Blue Dream flower →U Don't Know→Gorilla Glue #4
Gorilla Glue #4 is a high-impact, terpene-loud hybrid. U Don't Know is a high-impact, brass-loud declaration. The pairing is loud on purpose.
Shop GG4 vapes →Young Forever→Zkittlez
A sweet, fruit-forward indica for one of Hov's most cinematic and nostalgic tracks. Zkittlez is built for the kind of slow sunset moment Young Forever soundtracks.
Shop Zkittlez flower →Build the Full Playlist on the Good Grades Menu
Most of these strains rotate through the Good Grades menu in flower, pre-roll, and vape form. Browse the live menu, add a few to your bag, and queue up The Blueprint.