Danny Brown Opens Up About Overcoming Addiction and Releasing His Most Personal Album Yet
By Justin J Wee
In a candid interview at a hotel restaurant in Manhattan’s West Village, rapper Danny Brown discusses his journey to sobriety and his upcoming album release. Sporting a vibrant outfit that includes a blue-gradient collared shirt and bright red, Astro Boy-esque boots, Brown is a striking figure, even in an empty outdoor seating area.
Immediately requesting the alcohol menu be taken away, Brown expresses his desire to maintain a sober lifestyle. “I’m in a good space mentally,” he says. “I’m happy and stuff. I just don’t want to be around that right now.”
Originally planned in his hometown of Detroit, the interview takes place in New York due to Brown’s relocation and newfound commitment to a healthier lifestyle. Since moving to Austin earlier this year and going to rehab, Brown has been focusing on improving his well-being.
With a distinct fondness for drugs and alcohol, Brown’s addiction struggles have been a recurring theme in his music, propelling him to become one of the most acclaimed rappers of his generation. His breakthrough album, XXX, released in 2011, showcased his wild and unpredictable style, filled with adrenaline and uncertainty.
Reflecting on that period, Brown acknowledges the wild nature of his behavior. “I was wilding,” he admits. “I had just started experimenting with drugs and shit. That was when it was the fun stages. But I was old enough to know what I was getting myself into.”
Life changed dramatically for Brown after the release of XXX. As he entered his thirties, he began touring extensively and faced the pressure of creating successful albums. The stress often led him to turn to drugs to cope with his anxiety. However, with his upcoming album, Forty, Brown sees an opportunity for closure. Described as his most personal album to date, Forty delves into his pain, isolation, and struggle with addiction.
“Forty is my chance to say what the fuck I want to say,” Brown explains. “I’m letting everybody know how I’m feeling.” The album marks a departure from his previous works, showcasing a more serious and focused side of the rapper, as he takes aim at his own shortcomings and mediocre rappers.
Brown’s journey to sobriety began after a drunken podcast appearance where he criticized his label. With the help of a grant from the Recording Academy’s Musicares program, he checked into a high-priced rehab facility, where he not only addressed his drinking but also adopted a healthier lifestyle, including a nutritious diet.
During his time in rehab, Brown found faith, spirituality, and a new outlook on life. Death, which used to scare him, is now viewed as a natural part of progression. He sees life as a school, and when the higher power decides it’s time to graduate, one will graduate.
The road to sobriety hasn’t been without its challenges. Brown admits to abusing psilocybin mushrooms, consuming up to 14 grams daily. The excessive use affected his mental state, leading to visual hallucinations even when he closed his eyes. However, he now prioritizes sleep, catching up on all the rest he missed during his drug-fueled days.
Despite his struggles, Brown’s artistry has only sharpened with time. His recent projects, including collaborations and his 2019 album uknowhatimsayin¿, showcase his continued love for hip-hop. He no longer dwells on the negatives but instead focuses on the positives.
As he gears up for the release of Forty, Brown reflects on the tumultuous period of its creation—writing most of the album during a difficult breakup while living in a penthouse apartment in Detroit during the pandemic. Financial pressures and a lack of income due to canceled shows added to the chaos.
Through it all, Brown grapples with his early life in Detroit and the influences that led him down a path of addiction. Finding solace in rap music from a young age, he taught himself how to produce music on low-budget equipment. Now, with Forty, he hopes to find closure and share his journey with the world.
As Brown continues to prioritize his mental health and maintain his sobriety, his fans eagerly await the release of his most personal album to date. “I didn’t know how long I was going to be living,” he says. “But I’m going to say what the fuck I want to say on this shit.”