"White Lines (Don't Do It)" is a song by Melle Mel and Grandmaster Flash, released as a 12" in 1983 on Sugar Hill Records.
The song, which warns against the dangers of cocaine, addiction, and drug smuggling, is one of Melle Mel's signature tracks. The instantly recognizable bassline is sampled from a performance of the Sugar Hill house band playing Liquid Liquid's "Cavern".
"White Lines" peaked at #47 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart in 1983.
The song fared better in the United Kingdom, reaching number 7 on the UK Singles Chart in July of 1984 (and number 13 in the UK's top 50 songs of the year).
The video was directed by Spike Lee and starred Laurence Fishburne.
