Cypress Hill Celebrates 30th Anniversary of Black Sunday with Nashville Symphony

As dusk descended on Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater between the Cumberland River and the city's downtown skyline, Cypress Hill, Nashville’s Symphony Orchestra, and conductor Jonathan Rush took the stage. The band is matching the orchestra's formal attire by rocking sharp custom matching suits, while B-Real adds a touch of Nashville flair with a Cattleman-style hat. Tonight's collaboration celebrates the band’s 30th anniversary of their iconic Black Sunday album, and will prove to be an unforgettable night of classical musicians paired with raw hip-hop energy.

The show kicked off with a symphonic version of the album's opening track “I Wanna Get High” played by the orchestra, before Christian Olde Wolbers on upright bass and Eric Bobo on drums joined in. The moment B-Real’s distinctive vocals were heard, the entire amphitheater sang along in unison to every word, echoing back “we want to get high, so high”. The thick and humid air soon became infused with the unmistakable aroma that accompanies every Cypress Hill show, and the energy of this hybrid music could be felt from the front to back row.

The concert continued to feature a full collection of tracks from Black Sunday, including the hits “Insane in the Brain,” and “Hits from the Bong,” Each song was reimagined with orchestral arrangements that added new layers of depth to the iconic songs. 

Some of the most memorable moments of the night were when individual members of Cypress Hill performed solos, accompanied by the orchestra. On “I Ain’t Goin’ Out Like That,” we can hear the orchestra playing the familiar Black Sabbath sample from “The Wizard,” and Eric Bobo, no longer sitting at his drum kit, is now jamming hard on his congas and bongos. The next collaboration we hear is DJ Lord's turntables, mixing quick scratches over the symphonic swells between choruses. 

On “Cock the Hammer” Sen Dog hits his prominent verse, and the audience, now on their feet, are reciting back every line. This moment is a true testament to Cypress Hill’s deep connection to their audience and the enduring impact of their Black Sunday album 30 years after its release. 

The last joint of the night is introduced as a song that explains their path through the industry, the ups and downs that every artist has to deal with. Money Mark on keys, plays the instantly recognizable intro of “Rock Superstar” and when the chorus hits the whole crowd is roaring back completely hyped. As the night came to a close I'm sure it left every Cypress Hill fan in awe, proving that the fusion of hip-hop and classical music can create an extraordinary, elevated, and unforgettable experience.