Cypress Hill reflects on new generation embracing their 1996 hit Illusions

The hip-hop group Cypress Hill has seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to TikTok, where their 1996 track Illusions has been featured in over 2.5 million posts. Despite originally peaking at number 23 on the UK singles chart, the song’s viral success underscores the group’s enduring appeal to a younger audience.

Speaking about the revival, Cypress Hill member B-Real highlighted how their music’s longevity is evident in the number of young fans at their concerts. “It feels good because it shows that our music is timeless,” he said. B-Real noted that about 70% of their concertgoers are first-time attendees, many of whom are young fans. Drawing a parallel to his own experience of discovering classic rock bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin through older peers and relatives, he remarked, “Our music is now being passed down through generations.”

Reflecting on this generational connection, B-Real emphasised how parents who grew up listening to hip-hop, punk, and metal are introducing Cypress Hill’s music to their children. “It means we did our goddamn job,” he said, expressing pride at seeing younger audiences at their shows.

B-Real spoke ahead of the group’s performance with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall, an event inspired by their memorable appearance on The Simpsons. He revealed that Illusions has found new life when played with orchestral backing. “Playing it with the symphony gave it a whole different life,” he said, adding that this unique arrangement diverges from both the original and remix versions, creating a fresh, vibrant interpretation that fans can look forward to.

Cypress Hill’s journey from 1990s hip-hop pioneers to cross-generational cultural icons, partly driven by social media’s influence, showcases the power of music to transcend time and trends, finding new listeners in unexpected ways.