WORDS Kristie Bertucci
PHOTOGRAPHY EstevanOriol.com

Eighteen years is a long time to be in any career. But believe it or not that’s how long B-Real has been representing in the rap world. After so many years of being known as the star rapper of the notorious Cypress Hill, B-Real has branched off to “experiment with his own vibe.” That’s musician-speak for: I’m going to go out and make some money with my own solo album.

In case you haven’t heard it, his new album isn’t just a bunch of recycled Cypress Hill sounds. B-Real is as original with his solo project as the group has been when creating each of its albums. As for you hardcore Cypress Hill fans, don’t get all insane in the membrane. Cypress Hill is not breaking up. I repeat, do not panic. Take a hit from your bong and relax. B-Real was just taking a break to experiment with his own vibe.

Tell us about your solo project, Smoke N Mirrors.
My solo project was something I had been wanting to do for a while. With Cypress Hill putting out a greatest hits record that gave me time to work on my solo project.

What motivated your desire to do your own thing?
Everybody in the group has had a lot of different side projects in between Cypress records. Before I always tried to focus on doing the group thing and being different within the group. Then I thought, what would be more different than going out on my own. I started doing mix tapes to get my name on the streets, to hype up the fact that I was coming up with solo stuff. The mix tapes weren’t mix tape sounding and people started thinking it was my first album, but it was just the first volume of my mix tape. It accomplished what I wanted: it hyped up my name. I saw how New York rappers were putting out mix tapes to get themselves a name before coming out with an album, so I followed suit. Not too many people do that here on the West Coast.

How would you describe the sound of Smoke N Mirrors?
I wanted to capture some street shit that is basically reality based. Not really glorifying gangsterism, but I always try to be true to my experiences and life.

There is still going to be a Cypress Hill…you’re not trying to bust a Beyonce here, right?
Nah…We still want to make some banging Cypress Hill music. It’s just everybody wants to do their own thing in between.

When did you first fall in love with hip hop?
I think it was like 1984 or 1985. It was a Run DMC record. At the time I was a big metal fan—I didn’t look anything like one, but I liked the music.

Then I heard a Run record. I liked the fact that it was different. It had some rock elements to it. Right then and there it affected me to where I wanted to be involved with hip hop, whether it was being a fan or popping and breaking.

Was there a particular moment when you decided you wanted to become a rap star?
When I started rapping, it was strictly a hobby. I never really thought we would get paid for it. It started when I heard Sen Dog and his brother battle some other dudes at a party. They were the only rappers in our area, and I was like, if they can do it I can too. I just started trying it and trying to get better. Eventually I started to get serious about it and then we finally got a deal. Even when we got a deal, it wasn’t about trying to be rich and famous. It was just about making a record.

If you weren’t a successful musician, what do you think you would be doing right now?
Well, I can’t really say. Maybe I’d still be trying to write to some degree…so maybe a writer of some sort, a journalist or something. I also like poetry, but my shit was too dark.

What’s been the best advice you’ve gotten since you entered the music industry?
One time I met Chuck D at a show. He wasn’t trying to flash. I went up to him and told him that I appreciated him and his music, that I thought he was the best out there. He told me, good luck and that one day I might be where he was. He taught me to appreciate fans and that a few moments of your time is something that may last them a lifetime. I never forgot that, and I try to do the same with my fans. I give them five minutes of my time for a picture, autograph, or whatever. People have always appreciated that.

What has been the craziest thing a fan has done to show you their devotion?
It would have to be getting tattoos of Cypress or portraits of us. That is one of the craziest things because it’s forever. It’s your shit on their body. Fans have done plenty of things that belong on reality TV, but getting a tattoo is deeper. It’s crazy in a good way.

How did the name B-Real originate?
I was hanging out with my gangster friends when I was younger, and it was the name they gave me. Somebody told me to “be real” one time, and I guess it just stuck.

As one of the first Latino rappers, what do you think has made you and Cypress Hill so successful?
Not being afraid to take chances—and just being ourselves. Also the amount of energy we put into our live shows and albums. I think people respect us for doing our music, our way. Whether it was right or wrong, the fact that we were different and stood behind what we were. When people questioned our music, we stood behind it and didn’t comply with others’ standards of what our music should be.

Any advice to other aspiring Latino rappers?
Don’t get caught up with the fact that you are Latino. Just be a musician and don’t label yourself. If you label yourself to one specific type of music, you are not going to reach a wide audience—and music is universal. Don’t focus on what you are. Focus on your music and what you are trying to say.

What’s next for B-Real?
More music, writing, and producing. But who knows, surprises here and there.

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