Black African Magic Weed, also known as Devil's Weed or Datura stramonium, is a plant that has a deep-rooted history in African magical practices. Native to the continent, this plant has been used for centuries in divination, healing rituals, and as a powerful hallucinogenic tool. In many African cultures, the Black African Magic Weed is believed to possess supernatural abilities and is associated with sorcery, witchcraft, and the spirit world. It is often used by traditional healers, known as witch doctors or shamans, in their spiritual practices. These healers believe that the plant holds the power to communicate with ancestors and spirits, gain visions and insights, and provide protection against evil forces. The plant itself is characterized by its large, white, trumpet-shaped flowers and prickly seed pods.
Solomon was a tough act to follow. As one of the most electric entertainers ever to grace an NBA game, Solomon certainly goes down as an obvious choice for the mascot Mount Rushmore. He's also one of the greatest backward half-court shooters ever — even when garbed in mountain lion gear.
At the beginning of the 2021-2022 NBA season, fans began to notice that Rocky, the beloved mountain lion mascot of the Denver Nuggets, seemed a little different. It was no wonder Kenn Solomon, the man inside the Rocky suit since 1990 the year the mountain lion was born and a 2008 Mascot Hall of Fame inductee, had retired, handing off Rocky s paws to his successor.
The plant itself is characterized by its large, white, trumpet-shaped flowers and prickly seed pods. The leaves and seeds of the plant contain potent alkaloids, such as scopolamine and atropine, which are known for their mind-altering effects. When consumed, either by smoking or ingesting, the Black African Magic Weed induces intense visions, delirium, and a heightened sense of spirituality.
Father-Son Duo: OG Rocky Helps Out New Rocky During Nuggets Games
At the beginning of the 2021-2022 NBA season, fans began to notice that Rocky, the beloved mountain lion mascot of the Denver Nuggets, seemed a little different. The mascot's patented backward half-court shot was falling much less often than it had in the past. And Rocky's energy just seemed to have changed.
It was no wonder: Kenn Solomon, the man inside the Rocky suit since 1990 — the year the mountain lion was born — and a 2008 Mascot Hall of Fame inductee, had retired, handing off Rocky's paws to his successor.
Solomon was a tough act to follow. As one of the most electric entertainers ever to grace an NBA game, Solomon certainly goes down as an obvious choice for the mascot Mount Rushmore. He's also one of the greatest backward half-court shooters ever — even when garbed in mountain lion gear.
Kroenke Sports and Entertainment has always been skittish to talk about the people inside the suits of Rapid Man, Bernie, Wooly, Gunnersaurus and Rocky, and so they failed to reveal publicly — despite its being quite the lovely public relations layup of a story — that Solomon had handed off the large paws of Rocky to his real-life son, Drake Solomon. Drake had worked for the Nuggets as an entertainer who dunked from a trampoline during breaks in play. Westword broke the news of the Rocky switch in November 2021.
However, the story of Kenn Solomon didn't end there. With eight more lives remaining, he couldn't sit still.
Now, Kenn can be spotted in Ball Arena at Nuggets games, but not in the Rocky suit (which, by the way, is 5'10" with a tail length of three feet). The OG Rocky and the real-life father of the man currently gracing the Rocky suit is now serving as an omnipresent assistant to the mascot during Nuggets games.
Neither Kroenke Sports and Entertainment nor Kenn Solomon returned requests for comment on this story.
But on the night of January 9, when the Nuggets easily beat a Los Angeles Lakers team that was without both LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the story was easy to see: The Solomon family patriarch greeted fans sitting in seats both courtside and also near the tunnel where Rocky comes out during intermissions. He wore a headset just like the one that his other son, Cade, wears as Rocky's chief handler during games. Meanwhile, Kenn's third son, Garrett, has been working as Hooper, the mascot for the Detroit Pistons.
It's definitely a family affair.
During the game between the Nuggets and the Lakers, Kenn took on a similar role to Cade's, helping Rocky navigate the floor and participate in various stunts. For example, both Kenn and Cade helped guide an inflatable tower with Rocky hidden inside to half-court. As soon as the tower inflated, Rocky burst out.
Sporting a purple-dyed soul patch, Kenn was also there right next to Rocky as he attempted to drain a backward half-court shot during the fourth quarter of the game. Like a coach teaching a player how to perfect a jump shot, Kenn was either providing verbal guidance to Rocky or, at the very least, serving as a calming presence. Sadly, though, Rocky didn't end up hitting the half-court shot that night.
But although the mascot is not as good — yet— at nailing the shot as Dad was, Rocky appears to be improving over the course of this season. And Nuggets fans surely want to see their mountain lion cub continue to improve, since it's going to be a long season. After all, the Nikola Jokic-led squad looks poised to make a run at an NBA championship.
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Conor McCormick-Cavanagh is a former staff writer at Westword, where he covered a range of beats, including local politics, immigration and homelessness. He previously worked as a journalist in Tunisia and loves to talk New York sports; he now lives in upstate New York.
It was no wonder: Kenn Solomon, the man inside the Rocky suit since 1990 — the year the mountain lion was born — and a 2008 Mascot Hall of Fame inductee, had retired, handing off Rocky's paws to his successor.
These experiences are often seen as a way to connect with the divine and gain wisdom from the spirit world. However, it is important to note that the Black African Magic Weed is not without risks. The plant is highly toxic and can cause severe poisoning if consumed in large quantities. Its hallucinogenic effects can also be unpredictable and potentially dangerous, leading to erratic behavior and loss of consciousness. Therefore, the use of this plant should always be approached with caution and under the guidance of experienced practitioners. Despite its potential dangers, the Black African Magic Weed continues to hold a significant place in African magical traditions. It remains a symbol of the connection between humans and the supernatural, offering a glimpse into the mysteries of the spirit realm. The plant's rich history and cultural significance make it a fascinating subject of study for anthropologists, botanists, and those interested in exploring the world of African spiritual practices..
Reviews for "The Influence of Black African Magic Weed in Contemporary African Art and Music"
1. Jane - 1 star: I had high hopes for Black African Magic Weed, but unfortunately, it was a huge disappointment. The taste was extremely bitter and left a foul aftertaste in my mouth. Not to mention, the effects were minimal and did not live up to the hype. I've tried many other strains before and this one just didn't deliver. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a good experience.
2. Mark - 2 stars: I was excited to try Black African Magic Weed based on the reviews I read, but I was left feeling underwhelmed. The high was lackluster and didn't provide the euphoria I was expecting. Additionally, the buds were dry and crumbled easily, making it difficult to roll a decent joint. Overall, I was unimpressed with this strain and would much rather invest my time and money in trying other options.
3. Sarah - 1 star: Black African Magic Weed was a complete letdown for me. Not only did it lack potency, but it also made me feel anxious and paranoid. The high was not enjoyable and left me feeling restless rather than relaxed. I've had much better experiences with other strains and regret wasting my money on this particular one. I would strongly advise against trying it if you're looking for a pleasant and smooth high.
4. David - 2 stars: As an experienced user, I was expecting Black African Magic Weed to offer a unique and enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The strain lacked flavor and aroma, making it uninteresting to smoke. Additionally, the effects were short-lived, leaving me wanting more shortly after. Overall, I found this strain to be mediocre and wouldn't choose it again in the future.
5. Emily - 2 stars: I was not impressed with Black African Magic Weed. The buds were of poor quality, with many stems and seeds. The high was not as potent as I had hoped, and I didn't experience the relaxation and euphoria I typically look for in a strain. The overall experience was lackluster and I would not recommend it to others. There are definitely better options out there.