29-03-2025
How 'The Simpsons' Inspired Cypress Hill's Latest Project
The Simpsons may or may not have predicted Donald Trump's presidency and the COVID pandemic, but the long-running animated Fox TV show has manifested some cool music moments, such as Lady Gaga's Super Bowl halftime performance in 2017, and now, a blistering, badass collaboration that's no Hill might have "ordered" the London Symphony Orchestra to perform with them in the 1996 Simpsons episode, titled Homerpalooza, but that gag is now a reality and it's smokin.' CH's reefer-drenched repertoire is not only elevated to a higher level by the LSO, it's reworked, recharged and reimagined without losing its edge. The sonic culture clash is captured on film in the new concert doc, Cypress Hill and the London Symphony Orchestra: Black Sunday Live at the Royal Albert Hall, and as Chuck D of Public Enemy said after the premiere screening in Culver City earlier this week, watching it in the theater is just as exciting as being there. The crowd at the premiere even gave the group a standing ovation after the movie ended, led by D's bandmate Flavor Flav, who shouted out his iconic catch-phrase, "Yeah Boyy!" more than once from the audience.
"Power, grace, dedication..." D said during the post-screening Q&A. "There's been no other group in rap music or hip hop that has been so attuned and intertwined with their fans for a cause, for the gift of music and just bringing everybody together for one good time."Everyone is definitely having a good time in the film, especially the classical British musicians who are grooving and smiling throughout the entire show as they play horns, violins and percussion alongside the group. Conductor Troy Miller is particularly engaged. He had a big part in the inventive arrangements, which delve into a multitude of genres, from rock and jazz to cinematic James Bond-style interludes as they tackle the 1993 classic, Black Sunday, in its Gate-bred rappers B-Real and Sen Dog, up front and dressed sharply in suits, maintain the power and swagger that makes their celebratory weed and street anthems so unique. Their representation of Chicano culture remains too— in their bilingual slang and narratives, reflecting the strong ties of the Latino community in L.A. It's actually surprising how well it works and gels together, and how much British fans at Royal Albert Hall seem to connect with the songs, the vibe and the rappersExpect local movie theater crowds to be even more "Insane in the Brain" for this eclectic music and movie melding. List of local theaters here. Live album out June 6 and first single 'Illusions' out now.
