Hip-hop legends Cypress Hill will play a show Halloween night at the Theatre of the Living Arts on South St in Philadelphia. Doors open at 8PM. Sen Dog took time to interview with the Philadelphia NORML Examiner last night about music, Philly and legalizing marijuana.
PhillyNORML: Cypress Hill’s early roots trace back to Philadelphia, tell us a little about that.
Sen Dog: We have a strong connection to Philly. Our original record label was RuffHouse, founded by Joe “The Butcher” Nicolo. They had a great vision for Hip Hop. Just their belief in us is what we needed…then it turned into a major deal with Sony. I have always been around Philly though, since I was a young kid. I have family there, an aunt and some cousins. It was good to have family around when we were first recording.
PhillyNORML: You got a very warm welcome a big turnout this summer when you played Festival Pier with Slightly Stoopid.
Sen Dog: O yea! That’s why we like to come back and play in Philly, the crowd is always into the show. We are always shown a lot of love there.
PhillyNORML: We’re lucky in a lot of ways to have this history of a strong hip hop culture here
Sen Dog: Look, Philly has always had a strong presence in music. It goes back to rock and roll and then back before that. It’s always a city that will bring out top-notch acts. Philly has always had this scene very rich with talent. I bet there are thousands of hip-hop and R&Bers out there right now.
PhillyNORML: Marijuana has always been part of the message for Cypress Hill; why is that important?
Sen Dog: From day one, when we started we’ve been saying Legalize it! It is still important today. I mean we’re grateful for all these places with medical… But the fight hasn’t even begun yet on when it’s going to be legalized in the US and then around the world. I know that’s a big thing to say but it’s a big idea and it has to start somewhere.
PhillyNORML: Cypress Hill hosted a Smoke Out in California recently that featured some panel discussions to talk about some issues like Prop 19. So do you think music can have a role in politics?
Sen Dog: Musicians, singers, vocalists … we’re all about being heard. To have your voice heard in another platform can be a part of that. Sometimes that can really help. But that’s how deep the writing is from some people. Sometimes the writing is not just about someone speaking their mind – we can agree or disagree as human beings. Sometimes the writing, people bringing this perspective from their own life, it can really say something on that other platform.
That’s why we have those panels at the Smoke Out. We go beyond the music to hear what people have to say. In order to stay doing this for more than 20 years you really have to listen. We have a message, but it is also about what the public has to say and putting that out there.
PhillyNORML: Touring and coming here to the East Coast from California you can see a big difference in the attitudes towards marijuana
Sen Dog: California has always been laid back. Look at the latest polls for legalization, over 50 percent and then something over 70% for medical. I mean this is beyond me and my weed smoking friends. This is now people like my mom and my dad. Marijuana has no shock value out in California any more. They see it work in their own homes with their family, with medical. But the good-old-boy network is keeping marijuana illegal as something they make money off of with police, prisons and everything else.
Join Cypress Hill and PhillyNORML this Sunday 10/31/2010 at the TLA on South St for the show, doors open at 8PM.
Cypress Hill have been strong supporters of local NORML Chapters, allowing groups to set up information tables inside the venues. PhillyNORML will be on hand this week to join in the marijuana legalization message and the green, leafy … costumes.
More info at www.phillynorml.org
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