Happy to Be Alive

Released in 2016, Happy to Be Alive serves as both a contemporary update and a retrospective for Afroman. The album is notable for including the 'Palmdale Sessions,' which are re-recorded versions of his most iconic tracks like 'Because I Got High' and 'Crazy Rap (Colt 45 & 2 Zig Zags).' These versions often feature extended runtimes and a more organic, live-band feel compared to the original bedroom-produced hits. The new material on the record, such as the title track and 'High on the Highway,' maintains his signature blend of comedy-rap and stoner culture themes. Musically, the album sits at the intersection of West Coast hip-hop and reggae fusion, characterized by walking basslines and nasal, melodic flow. While Afroman remains an independent outlier in the rap world, this album solidified his status as a cult figure whose work continues to soundtrack a specific niche of casual, cannabis-oriented listening.