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.

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