The hip-hop industry is filled with many idols, but there are only a handful of legends. Cypress Hill fall into that latter category.
The Californian collective have been in the business for over 20 years, and with multi-platinum albums to their name, they are one of the most respected groups of all time.
Being the first Latino hip-hop group to release a platinum selling record, B-Real, Sen Dog, DJ Muggs, and Eric Bobo quickly rose to fame with the global success of their single ‘Insane In The Brain’.
2013 has been an enjoyable year so far for rapper B-Real, with a relaxing New Year’s Eve and much-needed break after a four month tour. “I spent [New Year’s Eve] relaxed at home, just dusting actually. One of the very few times you know?” he jokes.
Growing up in Los Angeles, he is able to distinguish a positive similarity between home and Australia. “I always see Australia as a very relaxed version of California.”
Not having visited Down Under since 2010, the South Gate native explains how one of his most memorable moments of playing in Australia was during their co-headline tour with Ice Cube in 1994. “We decided to go out like The Who, so we set Bobo’s bongos on fire and smashed the turntable.”
“We were crazy back then and we wanted to do something that would stand out. We decided to go out like The Who, so we set Bobo’s bongos on fire and smashed the turntable,” he says with a sense of pride. “It made the news and everything!”
Two decades later and Cypress Hill will be returning to our good country once again for a number of shows in February/March, including the upcoming Soundwave festivals, something that B-Real couldn’t be happier about.
“We were very excited when we were given the chance to play the Soundwave festivals,” he enthuses, “it’s always an honour to go back to Australia and rock it for the Aussies.”
Those who missed out on securing tickets to the sold out Soundwave festivals have no need to worry, Cypress Hill promise their ‘Sidewaves’ shows to be just as important. “I think Soundwave will be a shortened set in comparison to the sideshows. Either way though, we’re gonna rock it like it’s our first and last show!”
What is even more exciting for the diehard fans is the possibility of the release of some new material in the near future. “We’re gonna be working on new material just before the tour, but I don’t think it’ll be quite ready to be played just yet,” proffers the emcee.
“Rarely do we play something before it’s mastered as hip-hop people like to steal shit.”
Famous for his ‘nasal’ singing voice, B-Real reportedly discovered it whilst recording the single ‘Real Estate’. However before the track was more than just a demo, a young Cypress Hill performed it at a high-school talent contest in the late 80s.
As he explains, things didn’t quite go as they had planned. “During the set, Sen Dog jumped up onto the judges’ table and grabbed his balls in front of the female judge’s face, but the table suddenly broke and he ended up in her lap. I mean that shit was bad-ass, but needless to say we didn’t win that contest.”
Whilst on the topic of embarrassing stories, B-Real was quick to reminisce about another unfortunate incident involving his fellow Cypresshillian. “There was this one time we played the Low-rider Supershow at the L.A Coliseum,” he begins.
“One thing will be set on fire I can assure you, and that’s the massive joints I’ve got rolled up.”
“It had been raining and there was this puddle on the walkway to the stage, so we had to either walk on it or jump over it. Sen Dog tried to jump it, but landed on the end of the puddle and pancaked on his back in front of 30,000 people,” he recalls with a sly chuckle.
“His back was wet for the whole show after that, it was very funny.”
Despite the success this West-Coast crew have achieved over their careers, it doesn’t mean to say they don’t have regrets. “I once did a track with a bunch of west coast rappers, basically all the heavy hitters of that time,” explains B-Real.
“I wrote my part of the song to the beat I was given, but as the production of the song went on, the beat got changed without me knowing. That song haunted me because that shit lasts forever,” he says. “It’s like when your homies find out about some ugly chick you once fucked around with, it never goes away!”
One thing is for certain, Cypress Hill never fail to disappoint audiences at their live shows.
Although they may no longer be the young rebels of the early 90s, these four men put everything into their performances, leaving fans never truly knowing what they’re going to get.
Should fans expect to see things set on fire this time around? “Well one thing will be set on fire I can assure you, and that’s the massive joints I’ve got rolled up ready for each show,” laughs B-Real.
You can take the rapper out of South Gate…
Cypress Hill are on tour with Soundwave 2013 around the country from today, playing times and dates here. They also play Sidewaves shows in Sydney and Melbourne, dates below.
Cypress Hill Soundwave 2013 Sidewaves
MONDAY 25 FEBRUARY
SYDNEY, UNSW ROUNDHOUSE – Licensed All Ages
www.ticketek.com.au
THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY
MELBOURNE, THE FORUM – 18+
www.ticketmaster.com.au
