Styrofoam Luxury: How Lean Moved from the Streets to the Studio 🥤

A look inside rap's favorite concoction.🥤

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May 02, 2024

Once upon a time, drinking cough syrup and Sprite from a styrofoam cup was a sign of poverty — but in recent years, the double-cupped beverages containing a mixture of codeine cough syrup, promethazine, and Sprite have become a status symbol among rappers.

"Drank has been around. The old-schoolers were drinking it back in the day" — Houston rapper Big Hawk told MTV in 2005. ‘Drank’ was likely invented by blues musicians in the Southern States who mixed Robitussin cough syrup with beer and wine coolers. It was a cheap high offering a temporary escape from the harsh realities of life.

Things have changed — now, a single dose of lean can cost several hundred dollars.

"People choose to drink lean instead of dosing regular codeine for the same reason people wear Versace shirts instead of Hanes" — explains one Redditor. Another says of those sippin’ — "They think it's cool, and that's not to say it isn't. There is definitely something to be said about enjoying a drink slowly with friends as opposed to just getting high and passing out."

Indeed, while other opioids are stronger or last longer, pouring lean is a ritual and social activity comparable to rolling and sharing a joint, and it's not always about getting as high as possible.

Today, leans embedment in rap culture has turned the drink into an idealized symbol of wealth and success — here's the story.

Where Does Lean Come From?

The original Robitussin mixture originated in Houston, Texas, during the 60s in neighborhoods like Fifth Ward, Third Ward, and South Park. Traditionally low-income, these areas have given birth to famous blues musicians and many prodigious rappers. Back then, Robitussin, or 'tuss' contained dextromethorphan (DXM) — a drug known for having psychoactive effects that range from an alcohol-type buzz to fairly powerful psychedelic and dissociative experiences.

DXM remains a cheap and popular high today, as it can be purchased over the counter. But during the 80s in the South, 'purple stuff' (named for the purple or pink tint from the cough syrup) began to include prescription cough syrup containing the mild opioid codeine and the antihistamine promethazine.

What’s the Recipe for Lean?

Usually, cough syrup is mixed with Sprite or other sodas like Fanta, Orange Crush, or a Southern soft drink called Big Red. Juice or alcohol is also sometimes used, although the addition of booze increases the risk of uncomfortable (and dangerous) side effects.

The strength of the ratio between syrup and soda depends on an individual's tolerance, which builds over time. One source estimated the dose to be around a single oz per cup.

To further sweeten the drink (and mask bitter cough syrup flavor), candy like Jolly Ranchers or gummies can be dissolved in the mixture, further enhancing the thick, syrupy mouth feel that lingers long after each sip. The flavor of this blend is very sweet.

The original manufacturer of the codeine cough syrup used in the early days apparently stopped producing their mix of codeine and promethazine. Due to high demand and restrictions in the United States, syrup is now often sourced from abroad, particularly in countries without laws to control it.

Some brands are especially popular, such as Toseína, an Italian brand.

Cough medicine containing the active ingredient codeine is often used on its own, but the most common recipe includes promethazine as well.

In general, lean consists of 4 main ingredients:

Codeine — The prodrug of morphine. Codeine occurs naturally in poppies and is legally prescribed for coughs, pain, and diarrhea. Some estimates put codeine at 1/10th the strength of morphine. Despite being a standard, some sources have criticized evidence for codeine as a treatment for coughs due to it being “too weak.”
Promethazine — An antihistamine and sedative. Anecdotes suggest that promethazine enhances the effects of codeine. Another benefit is its antiemetic qualities which ease the impact of large amounts of codeine and sugar on the stomach (which often causes users to feel nauseas). In lower doses this drug is calming; high doses incude delirium.
Soda — The cough syrup and promethazine are mixed together with some kind of sweet drink, usually Sprite, Fanta, or Big Red. A few Jolly Ranchers are often tossed in for good measure.
Ice — Keeping the drink as cold as possible helps improve the flavor. This is the reason behind the important double-cup rule. More cups keep the drink colder longer.

What Does Lean Feel Like?

The name 'lean' comes from the actual effects it produces — which is to impair motor function and literally make people lean over.

The slow, uncoordinated movements come with a euphoric buzz, a powerful calming effect, and a trippy sensation that everything around you is slowed down. Many musicians have attributed the relaxing and trippy effects of lean to improve creativity.

At normal doses, codeine lasts about 4-6 hours, but sipping lean all night and consuming many times the recommended dose can extend the effects much longer. Some report the effects of lean linger up to 48 hours — often followed by a heavy comedown.

Like any substance, effects can be hard to understand without first-hand experience. But with lean, an interesting opportunity exists to garner a glimpse of what it feels like through the music of many creatives who have had long love affairs with the drug.

Lean & Rap Music

Southern rappers didn't invent lean, but they did popularize it. Countless lines sing it praise, securing the drank’s spot alongside grills, gold chains, money, and women. But lean is more than another expensive drug for an exclusive club because it’s said to have directly influenced the production of modern rap music.

DJ Screw from Houston became famous in the South for his mixtapes, pioneering the "chopped and screwed" production style. Apparently, Screw was also a lean enthusiast. Before DJ Screw, a great deal of hip hop was upbeat and fast tempo, but Screw found that slowing the tempo and reducing the pitch brought a slow, spaced-out, and heavier sound. This deep, bassy, and darker vibe has stuck, with producers still incorporating the technique into tracks today.

"Screw mistakenly created the sound while hanging out with friends at an apartment in the late 80s," said Charles Washington, DJ Screw's former manager. Mixtapes recorded in Screw's apartment were slowed down on his tapedeck, released once at normal speed, and then again “screwed up.” It became a sensation in Houston.

Some have even commented that these extended plays pair nicely with the long, hot dives around the sprawl of the Southern desert city, while others focus on how similar to lean the music feels, with one Redditor saying, “his music is the sound of syrup.”

To get a feel for what exactly that means, check out this chopped-and-screwed Phil Collins.

It’s a safe bet that DJ Screw’s creativity was influenced by the drugs he took and the place he lived, but Screw himself rejected the notion that his music had to be paired with lean, telling MTV — "People think just to listen to my tapes you gotta be high or dranked out. That ain't true. There's kids getting my tapes, moms and dads getting my tapes, don't smoke or drink or nothing."

But unfortunately, DJ Screw’s association would follow him to the grave, as he became the first name on a long list of suspected casualties of lean in the early 2000s when Screw’s autopsy report documented codeine, valium, and PCP in his system at the time of death.

Lean’s Breakout

Purple drank stayed South until the rap group Three 6 Mafia released Sippin' on Some Syrup, which became a breakout song in 2000, reaching #30 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop charts. With an infectious refrain “Sipping on some sizzurp, sip, sipping on some, sip,” lean was suddenly in the minds of people all around the United States.

Throughout the 2010's lean's popularity grew. The South kept churning out successful artists, and the world kept listening, while those dreaming of fame and fortune sought to understand how they did it. Mega stars like Lil Wayne, Future, A$AP Rocky, Kirko Bangz, D12, and many others were more than open about their use, glorifying pouring and sippin’ as a pastime for rap lords at the top of the game.

Needless to say, the popularity and induction into lifestyles of excess are not without cost. Pimp C, a rapper and record producer who rapped on Three 6 Mafia's breakout track, was found dead in his hotel room at age 33. His passing was attributed to excessive lean consumption and a preexisting condition of sleep apnea.

Today, the list of other high-profile musicians, producers, and celebrities who have died keeps growing, while other high-profile cases have found themselves in legal trouble for having codeine cough syrup without a prescription.

As rapper Caskey told Vice's Matt Shay — "Everybody wanna be like us" — while also admitting by rapping about lean, he does promote it.

Indeed, the fame and influence propping rappers up means their actions will be glorified and imitated.

Rapper Future, who released an early mixtape called "Dirty Sprite," which includes lyrics about how lean can kill, publicly swore off the drink upon learning how he’d influenced others to start taking the drug, concerned about any damage he might have caused.

“I made it seem so cool,” Future told Rolling Stone. “I made it seem so fucking cool,” while later in the interview expressing his concern over how many teenagers he may have influenced to sip lean.

Lean Side Effects & Risks

"Everybody seems to go through their own thing, you know, little methods of feeling better when they congregate" — said rapper Devin the Dude to MTV. "But syrup ain't nothing to play with."

Not everyone dies from drinking lean. When used sparingly within the dose range, codeine isn't particularly dangerous, but lean is usually many times higher than a prescribed codeine dose, and opioids are extremely addictive. Habitual use can bring serious side effects, and withdrawals make quitting feel hopeless.

In the short term, the effects of lean are euphoric and relaxing, with a slowed-down, loose vibe loved by many. Other people might also feel dizzy and nauseous, experience changes in blood pressure, decreased heart rate, and loss of consciousness. For some people, these effects are dangerous.

The prevalence of seizures is high among lean drinkers (for example, Lil Wayne), which has led to the suggestion that it could trigger seizures for those with preexisting conditions.

Being an opiate, codeine can cause respiratory depression, serious enough to kill a person, along with liver damage from excessive use. It should certainly be avoided by anyone with heart, liver, mental health, or addiction problems.

It’s also worth noting that the intense sugar levels used to prepare lean decays teeth, causes weight gain, and could contribute to diabetes.

Like any drug, lean could theoretically be used responsibly, but its addictive nature adds serious risk. Lil Wayne told MTV News the withdrawal "Ain't that easy. [It] feels like death in your stomach when you stop doing that shit. You gotta learn how to stop; you gotta go through detox. You gotta do all kinds of stuff."

Withdrawal from lean includes symptoms such as:

Irritability
Cold sweats
Fever
Body pain
Insomnia
Restlessness
Impaired memory
Nausea & vomiting
Loss of appetite
Seizures

The Future of Lean

Lean isn't just a drink for rappers. Its existence spawned from ingredients that remain easily accessible, while rap demi-gods keep making it more attractive than ever. Legal brands have even tried to capitalize on the popularity of the purple drink, creating spinoff 'anti-energy drinks,' formulated to give similar effects with ingredients like valerian root and melatonin — which has drawn criticism for further normalizing and introducing new audiences to the drank.

Recent studies tracking lean's spread still show it's much less popular than drugs like cocaine, ketamine, or MDMA, but with the drank popping up in cities around North America and Europe (not to mention an explosion of hashtags and a burgeoning Instagram culture) it's seems lean could have found a place in modern party culture.

Rap Songs Featuring Lean

Sippin on Some Syrup (Three 6 Mafia feat. UGK and Project Pat)
Purple Swag (A$AP Rocky)
Codeine Crazy (Future)
Drank in My Cup (Kirko Bangz)
Purple Pills (D12)
Thought It Was a Drought (Future)
Double Cup (DJ Infamous feat. Jeezy, Ludacris, Juicy J, The Game & Hitmaka)
Pour It Up (Rihanna)
Dirty Sprite (Future)
The Way Life Goes (Lil Uzi Vert)
2 Cups Stuffed (Young Thug)
Rich Off Lean (Lil Boosie feat. Boston George & Future)
Old English (Young Thug, Freddie Gibbs, A$AP Ferg)
Astrothunder (Travis Scott)
Wasted (Gucci Mane feat. Plies)
Lemonade (Internet Money, Don Toliver, Gunna & Nav)

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