Movies

Cypress Hill concert film relives group’s symphonic first — performing with an orchestra in London

BBG News

According to B-Real from Cypress Hill, they strive to create an environment that fosters continuous creativity. This refers to their downtown studio, which has served as the primary location for their recording sessions over the past ten years.

In essence, it’s quite snug here. He sits nestled on a black leather sofa, surrounded by his long-standing friends and colleagues during a Zoom conversation. Eric Bobo angles towards the camera from his right, sporting a leather jacket and concealing his eyes under a bucket hat and sunglasses. Sen Dog remains calmly composed on his left, occasionally smiling. DJ Lord perches precariously over the edge of the couch, his hat slightly askew.

Behind them, the walls are decorated with photos and platinum albums amassed over almost four decades of their music career. As B-Real lights up a joint, the sound of a lighter flickers, followed by him taking a drag.

The group’s latest endeavor takes them to the world of concert films, but with a twist.

Perhaps you recall relaxing in a recliner chair around ’95, propping up your feet, picking up the remote, and switching on Fox television to catch an installment of “The Simpsons.” In this episode, the audience is taken to the summer event called “Hullabalooza,” where Marge and her family encounter some behind-the-scenes mischief.

Hey there, musical groups,” calls out a somewhat agitated stage manager, “Which acts will be performing alongside the London Symphony Orchestra?

The camera zooms towards Cypress Hill, who lean close together and murmur to each other: “Hey buddy, did we get a band instead?

As I, a yellow cartoon rendition of B-Real, casually express, we believe we’ve pulled off something quite impressive. Do you recall the anthemic ‘Insane in the Brain’? Well, that’s the vibe we’re aiming for!

A violinist replies, “We’re generally familiar with classical music, but let’s see if we can have some fun with it,” followed by a memorable scene where they dance energetically to a lively rendition of the symphony.

A funny TV moment almost slipped away into obscurity, but thanks to DJ Muggs, the concept lingered with them for a considerable period. It was tossed around casually, yet picked up speed following the East Coast legends, Wu-Tang Clan’s orchestral performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in 2021, which gave it added momentum.

B-Real playfully remarked, ‘If they did it, why not us?’ He was referring to The Simpsons for creating that line, which has become an integral part of our legacy, and is even more significant now.

The group is preparing for an extraordinary event, as they will perform “Black Sunday” in its entirety alongside the Colorado Symphony in July 2023, marking their 30th anniversary. They plan to follow this with four additional symphonic shows. Additionally, they had a unique opportunity to rehearse with the London Symphony Orchestra themselves, an experience that felt surreal and was something no rapper would have anticipated.

On July 10, 2024, their work brought them to the Royal Albert Hall. In an unfamiliar location, the quartet, dressed in black suits and accompanied by the London Symphony Orchestra, performed before a packed audience of over 5,000 eager fans.

In simpler terms, B-Real expressed that the situation was similar to an astonishing or surprising experience, like exclaiming, “Wow, I never thought this would happen!” When they first began over three decades ago, he would have never imagined they’d be collaborating with a symphony, let alone the London Symphony Orchestra.

The performance was incredibly successful, managing just one minor mishap that B-Real claimed to have expertly concealed: “I’ll make sure nobody finds out about it!

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He was relieved that it went well,” he chuckled. “More so considering we were dressed up, executing these tasks, but lacking our usual mobility and dynamism.

The transition to the screen was seamless, with regular deliveries of production work for feedback from team members, known as “dailies.” However, as Bobo acknowledges, they truly excelled in their execution… we were astonished from the initial edit.

In response, Lord agrees, “Working with a fantastic team definitely simplifies things.” As Bobo pauses for a moment to light up, he adds, “It was all about reciprocal appreciation.

In the completed item, you can clearly notice the smooth collaboration and flawless execution. Overheard at a preliminary screening, during a restroom chat: “Wow, I wish I had postponed my trip to Tokyo and been here instead! But watching it makes me feel like I’m actually there.

This is a remarkably impressive adaptation of an already highly praised album. B-Real and Sen Dog take center stage, with B-Real rapping and Sen Dog adding to the rhythm, while DJ Lord skillfully spins records on the turntable and Bobo energetically plays the drums. At the front of the orchestra stands Troy Miller, leading his musicians as if they were an army. It’s hard not to notice his continuous smile and graceful baton movements.

Audience members are encouraged to jump up and join in the music, which is equally amusing and impressive. There’s something incredibly humorous about observing individuals dance energetically under the plush red drapes of their seating areas, engaging in lively banter with each other. In such a historic venue that emphasizes decorum, it underscores the enduring appeal of Cypress Hill’s music.

Modern tunes have undergone a significant transformation: Timeless funk hits such as “Dr. Greenthumb” take on a somber and enigmatic tone, bolstered by a symphonic arrangement. Cypress Hill reimagines “Cuban Necktie,” a song that never lets up, making it even more pulsating with violins accentuating B-Real’s rhythm throughout the bars.

Remarkably, what stood out in the performance was that no performer smoked marijuana throughout the entire event. B-Real attributes this to the “prestige and tradition” of the venue and their commitment to adhering to its regulations. During rehearsals as well, they always stepped outside for smoking breaks.

According to Bobo, as members of the London Symphony Orchestra began arriving for our initial rehearsal, they detected marijuana and exclaimed, “Ah, they’ve arrived!” – a statement he reenacts with an affected posh British intonation.

Absolutely, in London, where marijuana remains prohibited, they occasionally faced criticism from passersby, but they didn’t let it bother them because this was their routine!

Fans of the band will get a chance to watch the entire live show titled “Black Sunday Live at the Royal Albert Hall” during a limited theater screening in the U.S. on March 30, 31, and April 2. However, they’ll need to be patient until June 6 for the release of its CD, vinyl, and cassette editions.

In the future, Angelenos might get a chance to witness it firsthand, as Cypress Hill has been actively discussing the possibility with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, aiming to bring the performance to their city. Although they haven’t finalized any details yet, they are determined to provide L.A. fans this unique experience, making it their “main goal.

For now, it seems a Spanish-language album might be forthcoming. This could potentially be another work from Cypress Hill, but it’s not guaranteed to be hip-hop music.

B-Real expresses a sense of fulfillment with their hip-hop work, stating, ‘We’ve been doing hip-hop for what feels like a lifetime.’ Yet, they maintain their love for the genre. As a collective, they feel they can effortlessly transition into any style. And that’s exactly what they plan to do – seamlessly switch styles.

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2025-03-29 22:01

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