The following play list examines Pablo Escobar’s meteoric rise from the poverty of Medellin to his reign as the leader of the largest drug cartel in the world. Escobar provided hope for those around him and a target for those abroad. A well noted philanthropist yet brutal drug lord, Escobar sought to change the world by any means necessary. While he was eventually gunned down by a special police unit in 1993, his life continues to reflect, for better or worse, what we call the “American Dream”.

The Message- Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
The Message tells the story of Grandmaster Flash’s life growing up in an American ghetto. Pablo Escobar, like Grandmaster Flash, grew up in a poverty stricken area and sought refuge within the neighborhood gangs. A petty thief in his younger years, by the time of his adolescence Escobar had already begun stealing tombstones from graveyards and selling them to Panamanian smugglers. While most see such an act as immoral and despicable, The Message helps provide a glimpse into the conditions which lead to people, such as Escobar, going to such great lengths to improve their lives.

You grow in the ghetto, living second rate
And your eyes will sing a song of deep hate
The places you play and where you stay
Looks like one great big alley way
You’ll admire all the number book takers
Thugs, pimps, pushers and the big money makers



Casey Jones- Grateful Dead
With the discovery of cocaine and the drug trafficking business in his early twenties, Escobar encountered the most important decision of his life. Although Escobar had managed a meager existence through grand theft auto, he soon gravitated towards the successful drug lords he saw around him. As with the fictional character Casey Jones, Escobar began to let the drug take over his life. Even though he knew it may lead him to “trouble ahead”, he decided to take that risk as he assessed the similar “trouble behind”. Also, as with lyrics and mood of the song, Escobar jumped right in with little hesitation and great anticipation.

Driving that train, high on cocaine
Casey Jones you'd better watch your speed
Trouble ahead, trouble behind
And you know that notion just crossed my mind



Grindin’- The Clipse

As with most small time drug dealers, Escobar began moving weight as a way to support himself and later his family. The lyric below discusses about a young drug dealer’s entry into the cocaine business. Much like the character in the song, Escobar was enticed by dreams of “hideaway(s) by the lake” and the other perks of the wealthy citizens of Columbia. Also, the song mentions taking out “whoever gets in the way”, something for which Escobar would become extremely infamous.

My grind's 'bout family, never been about fame
From days I wasn't "Abel/able", there was always "Cain/caine"
Four and a half will get you in the game
Anything less is just a goddamn shame
Guess the weight, my watch got blue chips in the face
with two tips whoever gets in the way
Not to mention the hideaway that rests by the lake
Consider my water meaning the icing on the cake

Pusherman- Curtis Mayfield

Escobar continued to push his way to the top. With increased power and respect, he began to view his business as a “solid life of crime” that dealt with “ghetto demands”. Fueled by fear and “[insecurity] from the past”, Escobar expanded his empire to an unbelievable size. Like Mayfield, Escobar used his charisma and drive to work his way up. As with any high, however, the question of “how long can a good thing last?” was always lurking.

solid life, of crime
a man of odd circumstance
a victim of ghetto demands
feed me money for [style]
and i'll let you trip for a while
insecure from the past
how long can a good thing last?



Black Republicans- Nas ft. Jay Z

As Escobar’s power and wealth grew, he began to use his influence in other arenas. Unable to “turn [his] back on the hood” or “clean up (his) act for good”, Escobar began pumping large amounts of his dirty money into the local communities. Though many knew of his illegal dealings, few objected to his erection of numerous public buildings, including schools, hospitals, and soccer stadiums. Also, in an attempt to gain further power in Colombia, Escobar ran a political campaign and was elected to the national senate ran for and was elected to the national senate. As with this song, a person who many see as unwholesome envisions the change he would make if placed in a position of political power.

I feel like a black militant takin' over the government
Can't turn my back on the hood, too much love for them
Can't clean my act up for good, too much thug in 'em
Probably end up back in the hood, I'm like f**k it then


Pool Shark- Sublime

As Escobar’s power continued to increase, the wealth and drug trade became an addiction for him. Similar to a heroin addict who’s “got the needle”, Escobar began to let things spiral out of control. Even as one of Forbes ten richest men in the world, Escobar refused to let up his ruthless tactics for economic gain. Though this attitude is what led to him to prominence, it also would lead to him, like the heroin addict depicted in this song, “[losing] the war”.

Now I've got the needle,
And I can shake,
but I can't breath.
Take it away, I want more and more.
One day I'm gonna lose the war.



Gimme Three Steps

After years of ruthless tactics, even the citizens of Medellin wanted nothing to do with Pablo Escobar. Following a serious of bombings that were clearly orchestrated by Escobar, a search bloc was formed to find and arrest Escobar. Though the search bloc usually advanced technology and had numerous leads, they were never quite able to catch up with Escobar. Like the fictional character in Gimme Three Steps, Escobar was beginning to feel the heat. This song represents the increased pressure Escobar was feeling, yet also demonstrates his cunning ability to always escape in the nick of time.

Well, it aint no fun
Staring straight down a forty-four.
Well he turned and screamed at linda lu
And thats the break I was looking for.
And you could hear me screaming a mile away
As I was headed out towards the door.



Somebody’s Gotta Die- Notorious B.I.G.

When the pressure from the government and the threat of extradition became too intense, Escobar surrendered to authorities. Escobar did so, however, under the condition that he could remain in a prison he built himself, cleverly named La Catedral. After numerous murders were reported on the property, the Search Bloc moved in. It was clear that, as with Somebody’s gotta die, there was no peaceful way to resolve the situation. Escobar “let the gunshots blow” when he was confronted by authorities and died from a shot to the cranium.

Somebody's gotta die
If I got, you gotta go
Somebody's gotta die
Let the gunshots blow
Somebody's gotta die
Nobody gotta know