Featured image by Gianni Gallant
Music and cannabis share a remarkable ability to enhance our experiences, inviting us to connect more deeply with ourselves and the world around us. Collectively, they create a space for reflection, creativity, and pleasure.
High Notes explores the intersections of music and cannabis, highlighting the records that elevate the moment.
Few artists move through music with the ease and intention of Powers Pleasant. A Brooklyn-born producer, DJ, and founding member of the Pro Era collective, his sound is rooted in hip-hop but stretches far beyond. His ability to seamlessly blend diverse influences into his work has made him a sought-after collaborator across genres. From co-producing Joey Bada$$’s hit Devastated to crafting standout tracks with BTS, Juice WRLD, Princess Nokia and more, Powers has made a name for himself as a versatile and visionary producer who continues to resonate with a global audience.
With the release of his album Life Sucks, Powers’ is entering a bold new chapter—bringing together raw emotion, genre-blurring production, and collaborations with artists like Denzel Curry and A$AP Ferg. The project showcases his growth, highlighting his ever-expanding musical landscape and his drive to push boundaries.
In this edition of High Notes, he takes us through his creative process, his evolution as an artist, and the records that continue to shape and inspire his sound. While his music definitely fuels the vibe, Powers himself prefers to keep things clear-headed. There may not be smoke in the air, but there’s plenty of fire in the studio.
The Emerald Magazine: What’s the one album you’d recommend for the ultimate smoke sesh, and what makes it the perfect choice?
Pleasant: I don’t smoke, but I would say [Speakerboxxx/]The Love Below [by Outkast], it’s like a psychedelic journey of highs and lows.
Emerald: Do you remember when you first discovered this record? What about it resonates with you the most?
Pleasant: I don’t remember how old I was, but it was definitely the craziest thing I’d heard at the time. Psychedelic funk hip hop. 3 Stacks [André 3000] is one of my favorite artists. I read he wrote and produced the album in just three weeks. It just showed me to always push the boundaries and never get put in a box. Music is universal.
Emerald: Are there particular moments on the album that stand out to you? Any favorite tracks?
Pleasant: I love the whole thing. I love how unorthodox it is and the character [Andre] 3000 played throughout the album. It showed me you can still make smashes talking about real shit. Roses, She Lives in my Lap, A Life in the Day of Benjamin Andre.
Emerald: How does your environment shape the music you produce? Is there a certain mood or energy you aim to create when you’re in the studio?
Pleasant: Nah, music is just another expression. Definitely the energy I’m in or the people I’m around will influence the music I make.
Emerald: Your music blends a lot of different influences, and you’ve collaborated with artists ranging from Joey Bada$$ to BTS. How do you bring together such diverse genres/styles to create a sound that is uniquely your own?
Pleasant: I’m influenced by my favorites, and that pours out of me every time I create. My sound is my sound. I’ve never thought about it, to be honest. All I know is how to be me. I’m a fan of all types of music, and I never want to be tied to just one sound.
Emerald: Can you walk us through the creation of a track from your latest album Life Sucks? Any memorable moments or decisions that led to a standout song?
Pleasant: Man, SMH is an oldie but goldie. It was one of the last Pro Era sessions we had, and we were all in the room, and the magic was there. The track just came together so organically. It’s like we were just hanging out.
Emerald: What role does setting play for you when listening to music? What’s your favorite way to immerse yourself in a song/album?
Pleasant: Not much to be honest. I have a very active lifestyle, so however I can.
Emerald: How do you find inspiration when producing new music?
Pleasant: Life honestly [and] listening to older music. I just open my computer and everything pours out.
Emerald: If you were to curate the vibe for a smoke sesh using three tracks from your own catalog, which ones would you choose?
Pleasant: Got Me Geeked, Ball Alone, and Ain’t No Way.
Emerald: Lastly, what’s next for you, and where can we keep up with you?
Pleasant: The only way to go is up. Collab projects with some of my friends and maybe a beat tape, who knows?
CHECK OUT OUTKAST’S SPEAKERBOXXX/THE LOVE BELOW HERE:
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