From 'King Of The Dot' Rap Battles To Cannabis: The Awe-Inspiring Success Story Of Travis 'Organik' Fleetwood

Travis "Organik" Fleetwood is the founder of King of the Dot, a renowned rap battle league known for its talented lyricists and intense competitions, as well as the cannabis brand Ghost Drops. He has been deeply involved with both the hip-hop and cannabis communities throughout his life and attributes much of his creativity and success in the hip-hop world to his daily cannabis use.

"Cannabis has played a major role in my life since I was a young kid. I started smoking early, probably earlier than I should have," he says. "My relationship with the plant has definitely changed over time though. It went from me smoking weed with my friends for fun to me trying to educate and supply the masses with the highest quality cannabis in the country."

The Ghost Drops Story

Having launched Ghost Drops roughly seven years ago, the brand made its successful transition to the legal market in late 2021.

Fleetwood and his team took a unique approach to understanding consumers' needs, scouring cannabis forums and Reddit to create highly curated product offerings. "Creating brands and growing communities is what I do," says Fleetwood.

Ghost Drops has since become a top-selling cannabis brand in Canada, boasting three best-selling SKUs in the premium cannabis category on the OCS (Ontario Cannabis Store, the province's online retailer for adult-use cannabis) website.

Weed And Hip-Hop

Cannabis has long been part of hip-hop and battle rap culture.

The two have "always been one in the same," says Fleetwood. In fact, he sees a connection between them in their shared struggles against unwarranted stigma.

"Battle rap and cannabis both deal with a lot of undeserved stigma from the general public, so there is a lot of correlation between the two. Once you understand the cultures and value that cannabis and battle rap bring to their communities, it undeniably changes your perception," he explains.

Fleetwood also acknowledges the growing popularity of freestyle rap in Latin America and Spain, where battles get millions of views every week and events fill entire stadiums across the different countries where they take place, predicting a Spanish language battle rap circuit will eventually arrive in North America.

"I'm well aware that freestyle battle rap is huge in Spain and throughout Latin America. I've been following Urban Rooster the league and have been paying attention to the freestyle master series. I definitely can foresee a future of Spanish battle rap in North America and would love to welcome a collaboration of some sort one day," he says.

Ditching Booze For A Better Choice

When asked about his stance on cannabis as a better option for relaxation than alcohol, Fleetwood is unequivocal: "1 million percent: Cannabis definitely helps with relaxation just as much if not more so than alcohol. The numbers prove it is a better option. When you look at the number of people in rehab for both substances. When you look at the number of assaults attributed to these substances. When you look at accidents, car crashes, DUIs. Alcohol ruins families in a way that cannabis does not, and I fully stand behind that."

He also stresses the importance of addressing issues arising from years of racially-motivated war on drugs, advocating for amnesty campaigns and resources to help those affected regain their lives. "Our industry could undeniably be doing better to address some of these issues. It's good to see some positive movement in this direction in newly legalized states like New York issuing equity licenses to those who were negatively affected by cannabis prohibition. In Canada and worldwide, we should be fueling resources into amnesty campaigns so that individuals who have been jailed for a harmless plant can regain their lives back," he says.

The rap enthusiast is also a firm believer in the benefits of cannabis legalization at the federal level. "Just look at the good it does for the world. Medically, socially, recreationally, and personally. Canada has definitely benefited from legalizing federally. I have hopes that the USA and countries around the world will follow our lead and make cannabis accessible for all," he shares.

What’s Up With Ghost Drops?

Fleetwood emphasizes that Ghost Drops is about more than just business: "At the end of the day, Ghost Drops is just a couple of guys trying to put good cannabis in the people's hands across Canada. This whole dream started with a couple of pounds, a cell phone, a website, and the willingness to take a risk."

In a world where cannabis and hip-hop continue to intersect and influence each other, Travis "Organik" Fleetwood has built a successful brand rooted in passion, creativity and a deep understanding of both communities. As Ghost Drops continues to lead the pack in the cannabis space, Fleetwood's journey from hip-hop artist to cannabis entrepreneur serves as a testament to the power of following one's passions and the potential for positive change within the industry.

With a powerful story, a commitment to quality, and a focus on community, it is no wonder that Ghost Drops has become a force to be reckoned with in the legal cannabis market. As the brand continues to expand its product offerings and collaborations, it remains a shining example of how deep roots in the legacy industry can translate into success in the legal space.

As for Travis "Organik" Fleetwood, his journey is far from over, and the cannabis and hip-hop communities can look forward to even greater innovations and accomplishments in the years to come.