Culture
Watch Billy Ray Cyrus as a Nug of Weed in His New Music Video
Billy Ray Cyrus has found new life as an ass-kicking nug of weed in his latest video, “Angel in My Pocket.”
The one-time mullet king’s newest single and accompanying music video for the song is an ode to something every cannabis aficionado can recognize: an emergency joint.
The video brings Cyrus, aka Doobie Ray, to life as an animated cannabis bud, complete with the artists signature cowboy hat, boots, and beard. Cyrus voices the character who works at The Nug Nation gas station and breaks into jokes and street fights throughout the blues and country-based song.
Early stage storyboard cells by artist Jake Fairly.
The single comes off Cyrus’ latest album, The Snakedoctor Circus, out May 24. “Angel in My Pocket” is written by Don Von Tress, also responsible for the country star’s first chart-topping 1992 hit, “Achy Breaky Heart.”
The music video was co-directed by Potsy Ponciroli of Hideout Pictures and Mikey Peterson of The Nug Nation.
We spoke to Peterson about the process of creating the animation for the music video, and some of his favorite moments from it.
Peterson explained that “Angel in My Pocket” took two straight weeks to complete.
“The team got the green light to create the video on Easter Sunday and delivered it just four days before it premiered on Youtube on May 9,” said Peterson.
The process required “all hands on deck,” said Peterson, adding that The Nug Nation’s team of eight worked every day and night — sometimes for 40 hours straight hours — to create the animated enlivened nugs and storyline.
The hardest scenes to shot were the rocket landing, and the car jumping scenes. Peterson explained that maneuvering the smoke, and the weight and positioning of the car, made it a difficult undertaking.
Billy Ray’s car smashing through the Salt Creek Hemp sign was tricky to shoot.
One of Peterson’s favorites scene is the car’s landing in the hemp field, he explained, “there’s an abrupt stop to the song [and an ensuing joke] which makes it impactful.”
Animation projects like these — and the ones found on The Nug Nation’s website — are shot frame-by-frame, Peterson explained. One second of animated footages takes an average of 24 frames.“A lot of those images are then doubled depending on the scene and if any rigging is needed,” he said. “Rigging is the process of deleting stands and supports that hold up characters or props within a scene.”
The process took around than 10,000 still frames in total to complete the video, which is just over four minutes long.
“Animation is the most tedious form of production you can possibly do,” Peterson said. “Everything is done frame-by-frame.” All materials are hand-built, including the set and characters. After design and filming are done, it goes into post-production, where it’s turned into video and edited, “so the process is more extensive than anyone could ever imagine for one second of video,” he added.
Creator and Director Mikey Peterson gives the girl nug a salon-worthy cut.
All of the nugs in “Angel in My Pocket” and other Nug Nation creations are made from real cannabis. The cannabis is provided by Whole Meds Dispensary in Denver, Colorado, who select each for its photogenic color and texture.
Not to worry, though, no top-shelf buds were harmed in the making of the video.
“It’s not top-shelf, it’s only used for visuals. No need to waste the good stuff,” he laughed.
Billy Ray Cyrus and his new love take to the stars.
The Nug Nation’s collaboration with Billy Ray Cyrus was rather serendipitous.
The company produces a series of stop-motion animated comedy clips. The Nug Nation is part of BurnTV’s original programming lineup. BurnTV is a lifestyle and entertainment network set to launch this summer1.
Each episode of The Nug Nation series takes place in Nugville, a fictional Colorado town. One of its main characters Diesel (named after the famous strain Sour Diesel) works at The Nug Nation Gas Station, which also appears at the beginning of “Angel in My Pocket.”
Billy Ray Cyrus gets fired from the Nugville petrol station.
When asked if Cyrus’ song — whose lyrics include “I lost my job at the station” — was in homage to the comedy series, Peterson said it was a coincidence, one that started a conversation and a collaboration between the video’s co-directors and Cyrus’ management team.
Part of the enjoyment of this project, and animation in general, said Peterson, is the ability to go off script, and “throw in some funny gags.” One example of this is in the video’s fight scene.
Lead Animator Jamey Jorgensen works to move the Billy Ray Cyrus nug frame by frame.
“Our lead animator, Jamey Jorgensen, thought it would be funny if the joint just pops up in someone’s mouth [during the fight],” Peterson said. “It’s fun to add little surprises or scenes within a scene that were not originally written. Animators are actors themselves in the sense that they become these characters during the animation process and are given the freedom of improving when they feel the need to.”
Keep an eye out for more Nug Nation collaborations in the near future. While Peterson remains tight-lipped about details, he hinted at an upcoming project which will feature an Instagram series and a well-known artist.
Culture
Papa’s Herb to Light Up Great Outdoor Comedy Festival
Cannabis and comedy have long been recognized as one of the all-time great combinations. The plant’s powers enhance the enjoyment of both activities, thanks to their intertwined relaxing and mood-enhancing effects. This synergy is set to take center stage at Edmonton’s Great Outdoor Comedy Festival, which runs July 12-14. Papa’s Herb will collaborate with Plantlife Cannabis to exclusively launch its disposable vape products at the event. This is the first time festival-goers will have the unique opportunity to purchase cannabis in a festival setting in Canada.
This announcement highlights the integration of cannabis into mainstream entertainment. It also underscores Edmonton’s progressive approach to event regulation and economic development. Props to Canadian politician Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, who helped shift regulations in the territory.
Cannabis & Comedy in Canada
Now in its fourth consecutive year, the Great Outdoor Comedy Festival is a highlight in Edmonton’s entertainment calendar. Renowned for its lively atmosphere and stellar comedic performances against scenic outdoor backdrops, the festival attracts comedy enthusiasts and top-tier performers from across Canada.
The collaboration between Papa’s Herb, a prominent cannabis brand born in Miami and made in California, and Plantlife Cannabis, Alberta’s largest independently owned and operated dispensary, promises to elevate the overall experience, setting a precedent for future cannabis-infused events in the region.
Ian Scott, owner of Plantlife Cannabis in Edmonton, underscores this synergy. “Great comedy is made even better with the addition of cannabis,” he says. “The relaxed and euphoric effects enhance the audience’s enjoyment, making Papa’s Herb an ideal partner to enrich this special event.”
Festival Experience: Where to Find Papa’s Herb
During the festival, attendees can purchase Papa’s Herb disposable vapes at “The Garden by Plantlife,” conveniently located next to the main stage, along with the company’s other premium cannabis products.
“The Great Outdoor Comedy Festival provides an ideal platform for our offerings,” says Aaron Nathaniel, CEO of Papa’s Herb. “Our RNTZ and Lemon Cherry Gelato disposable vapes are crafted to complement the festival ambiance, offering a blend of relaxation and enjoyment that pairs perfectly with laughter.”
Papa’s Herb stands for family lineage, quality, and sustainability, sourcing premium cannabis from dedicated local growers to ensure top-tier quality and affordability. As a brand “by the people, for the people,” it supports small farmers and prioritizes sustainability.
Culture
Tyson 2.0 Launches New Mike Bites Cannabis Gummies
Culture
Wiz Khalifa Debuts New Taylor Gang x Stündenglass Collab
Wiz Khalifa and his entertainment company Taylor Gang Ent. have collaborated with Stündenglass, the world’s first gravity-powered infuser, to introduce the iconic gold and black Taylor Gang x Stündenglass.
“I’m honored to have collaborated with long time friend Wiz Khalifa, who is as passionate about this product as I am. Our mutual admiration for Stündenglass made it a natural collaboration,” Stündenglass CEO Chris Folkerts said via a press release.
Taylor Gang x Stündenglass is an authentic collaboration developed after the multi-platinum-selling, Grammy-winning, Golden Globe-nominated Khalifa discovered Stündenglass and began enjoying it regularly as seen on his Instagram.
“I love my Stündenglass, and I’m pumped everyone gets to experience this with me now,” Khalifa.
The infuser features a patented 360-degree gravity system that elicits a powerful and immersive experience. It generates kinetic motion activation via cascading water, opposing airflow technology and the natural force of gravity.
The Taylor Gang gravity bing comes in an exclusive black and gold colorway and features two glass globes on a metal base made of aircraft-grade aluminum, surgical grade stainless steel, and high-quality Teflon seals.
Taylor Gang includes artists Ty Dolla $ign, Juicy J, and Berner among others — the former of which has his own line Stündenglass collab with his Cookies brand.
“We’re very excited to launch the official Taylor Gang x Stündenglass. We use glass in our everyday lives, so it only made sense to team up and create an exclusive Taylor Gang collaboration for the fans,” Taylor Gang said.
