B-Real 'Smoke N Mirrors' album

B-Real, a rapper of Mexican and Afro-Cuban heritage, is best known for being the lead rapper in the hip hop group Cypress Hill. Since the group's formation in 1988, the pioneering rap-rock quartet Cypress Hill -- founders B-Real, DJ Muggs, and Sen Dog, along with newest member Eric Bobo -- have come a long way from the streets of South Central L.A. Over the course of its 17-year history, Cypress Hill has sold more than 17 million albums worldwide, including more than 11 million records in the U.S. alone. The group has garnered 15 multi-platinum, platinum and gold certifications from the RIAA; headlined Lollapalooza, Woodstock and the group's own Smokin' Grooves tour. B-Real has appeared on "Saturday Night Live," all the while breaking down the musical and cultural barriers between hip-hop, alternative, metal, rock, reggae, ska and Latin music.

Recently, B-Real, along with Cypress Hill received a VH1 Hip Hop Honors, to celebrate the vision and innovation that the group continues to bring to Hip Hop, strengthening its force around the world. Other artists honored in 2008 were De La Soul, Naughty By Nature, Slick Rick and Too Short.

In B-Real's first ever solo effort, "SMOKE N MIRRORS", he wanted to showcase his musical talent over beats produced by Alchemist, Scoop Deville, & Sick Jacken (from Psycho Realm). B-Real produced several songs on the project as well, including the lead track FIRE with Damian Marley. "Smoke N Mirrors" also features tracks with Snoop Dogg, Buckshot, Kurupt, Too Short, Sen Dog, of Cypress Hill, & Young De.

B-Real is confident his fans will appreciate "Smoke N Mirrors" stating: "I am excited to be putting out my first solo project. It's been in the works for a while now. I want to show my fans a different side to my creative abilities including my own production. I am also excited to have teamed up with Duck Down. They have a strong team and I believe they will push my project to the fullest.”

Two Videos will be filmed off "Smoke N Mirrors" for "Don't Ya Dare Laugh" featuring Young De and "FIRE" featuring Damian Marley.

B-Real biography
Snoop Dogg may have coined the phrase, “Went solo on that ass but it’s still the same,” but fellow Cali rapper B-Real has perfected it. After nearly two decades as part of the groundbreaking trio Cypress Hill (the first Latino hip-hop group to go platinum), B-Real has broken out on his own but still maintains his allegiance to rhyme partners Sen Dog and DJ Muggs. “I’ve been wanting to do a solo project for a while now, but had always dedicated my creative time to Cypress,” confirms B-Real, who was honored alongside his fellow bandmates during VH1’s Hip-Hop Honors 2008. “Since we weren’t in a rush to record a new Cypress record, I took the time to explore my own thing as an artist, producer and label owner.”

With platinum plaques, classic singles, Grammy nominations, a Billboard Award, appearances on Saturday Night Live, successful world tours and hip-hop icon status all on his resume, B-Real is ready for the next chapter in his storied career. In 2008, the West Coast O.G. signed a deal with East Coast-based Duck Down Records to distribute his production company/label, Audio Hustlaz. With the indie powerhouse’s backing, B-Real is ready to present his long overdue solo debut Smoke N Mirrors, which promises to offer faithful listeners the same caliber of material they’ve come to expect from Cypress Hill, but with a sound and style all his own. “The music will be different in the production, content, flow and delivery,” says B-Real. “I don't want to piggyback off of the Cypress sound, I want it to be different.”

Fan’s first taste of his brand new flavor is the gritty street single “Don’t Ya Dare Laugh.” Produced by Scoop Deville and featuring B-Real’s Philadelphia protégé Young De, the record offers up a vivid depiction of life on the streets of L.A. The official lead single, however, is the Damian Marley-guested smoker’s anthem “Fire,” which finds B-Real flexing his beatmaking skills behind the boards—a practice he employs several times on the album. Other key highlights include contributions from Snoop Dogg (“Dr. Hyphenstein”), Buckshot (“Everything You Want”), Too $hort & Kurupt (“When We’re F***ing”), and Sen Dog & Malverde (“One Life”). “After this release I will keep it moving with the new Cypress record,” says B-Real. “My production only gets better with time so I want to continue to develop and produce for my own artists as well.”

Following the release of Smoke N Mirrors, B-Real will not only reconnect with Cypress Hill for a reunion project but also begin fostering the careers of up-and-coming acts like Young De and Trace Midaz through Audio Hustlaz. Given his proven track record of success and ability to crossover into other genres like rock, the rap superstar has more than enough skills at his disposal to not only steer hip-hop’s next generation in a new direction, but his own as well. “I think that there’s a lane for everyone,” he says. “I know I’m a veteran but I have the sensibility to listen to what is current. I feel like I just need to be in the mix to fit it… I have to work hard along with my label partner Duck Down Records and my management team to make sure we push this project to its fullest potential, but the music has to speak for itself.”

B-Real’s “Smoke N Mirrors” album is in stores February 24th, 2009, courtesy of Audio Hustlaz/Duck Down Records.

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B-Real - Smoke N Mirrors