"dead men don't smoke marijuana" contains "sweet," syncopated folk songs in rogie's distinctive palm-wine musical style. the record is dominated by his acoustic guitar work and singing but also backed up with the subtle percussion, double bass and keyboard work. bret love of allmusic noted the atmospheric feel to the music and described the album's musical style as a fusion between the "back-porch vibe" of rustic blues, the laidback rhythms of reggae and the devotional style of ladysmith black mambazo. rogie's gentle acoustic guitar playing is in a rolling, picking style, and possesses a roots-tinged folk blues feel. while the album exudes a west african musical style, it also boasts a wider range of influences due to the rolling guitar work, the "loamy bottom" of thompson's folk double bass, as well as guitar licks taken from iconic blues musicians such as john lee hooker.