Stoners of Penn State — rip mad bong hits and wave a spliff high in the air because the current king of Cannabis composing is coming to Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave.
Afroman, the guitarist-rapper known for his current hit "Because I Got High," plays Monday night, along with The Collective and up-and-coming Townhall, straight from South Street in Philadelphia.
Riding the success of his top-10 Billboard chart album The Good Times, Afroman comes to town to play a blend of music described by some as a cross between Cypress Hill, Beastie Boys, Beck and James Brown.
And even if the sound of his album is not familiar, many people will know the sound of "Because I Got High" after listening to any number of top-40 radio stations in the area or across the country.
The single, on its way to being the largest-selling single in Universal Records history, tells the story of a man who continually runs into trouble after he "gets high."
According to Afroman, the song is partly autobiographical, describing encounters with his friend who would bring him marijuana to smoke before he wanted to go to work.
"I started messing around and got to dancing, but didn't get anything done," said Afroman in an interview with the New York Post. "Then I saw a pattern: Every time I kicked it with him, I messed up in a major way, and I realized what it was."
These days Afroman continues to sing about smoking sweet cheeba, but he said he has stopped smoking because it was limiting what he wants to accomplish — success in the music industry.
Born Joseph Foreman, Afroman gained recognition among students at southern universities after moving from Los Angeles to Hattiesburg, Miss. His songs became a hit at parties and quickly saw playing time on local radio stations. Although "Because I Got High" has been described as this year's version of "Who Let the Dogs Out?" or "Thong Song," Afroman continues to play music he likes to hear.
"It don't matter if people say it's a novelty," said Afroman in the interview. "I'm gonna do what I do, regardless."
Before Afroman takes the stage, another musical act looks to showcase its own talent in a genre different from hip-hop. Townhall, a five-piece quintet of former students at University of the Arts in Philadelphia, will bring a fusion of soul, blues and funk to Crowbar.
Formed in the summer of 2000 and playing their first show in December of that year, Townhall has quickly made a name for itself in popular Philadelphia music venues including The Electric Factory, Theatre of Living Arts and the Khyber.
Members of Townhall will play in State College for the first time and before they sign a record deal. According to an article in the Philadelphia Weekly, Townhall is in talks with RCA Records for a contract.
