May 20, 2025
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to hot box an arena – you should have been at this Cypress Hill show.
Exiting the metro car at Montmorency in Laval, I could already smell the herbs wafting in the air – that could only mean that Cypress Hill were in town. The party had already started, sprinkled throughout the parking lot. Another gray day was dragging more people inside earlier as the wind picked up quickly.
I was over caffeinated, and expectations were high for tonight’s lineup. On this properly named ‘O Cannabis Tour’ that was sweeping across our nation. It was none other than the masters of marijuana anthems, Cypress Hill. With the equally legendary support from different coasts, Pharcyde and De La Soul in tow.
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The cream of the crop of hip hop, all under one smoky rooftop. With a tour name like that and the amount of talent on one bill, I wasn’t exactly sure if I would remember it fully. Wink, wink, cough …cough.
Pharcyde
Kicking it all off, South Central LA homies, Pharcyde. The crowd was Runnin In ,to the tune of Jdillas track. Frantically trying to get a catch the very sampled hit Passing Me By. Which was just a simple highlight of the solid impact they’ve had in the scene since 1989.
Witnessing their flow and chemistry on stage, was a a huge personal highlight. Though it wasn’t even a full house for all members. Wishing though, they had more time to just keep going with all their material. Of all the times to start the show later, they deserved more of the spotlight.
Still managing to take full advantage of the stage, they separated the crowd for the song Oh Shit, from the Oh to the Shit sides. Bringing us together, with a resounding OH SHIT!, explaining we live in the cycle of real poverty again, as the hip-hop scene reflected at it’s creation, the same resonates just as much with today’s world.
Leaving us with one bonus track, Timeless. Something new to leave us with from their latest EP.
De La Soul
Making sure the hype stayed alive, there was little time left between sets. Master DJ keeping it turned up to 20, then I realized who it was, Maseo from De La Soul, through the absolute haze of smoke.
Posdnuos to entice security to turn around and clap their hands. As much as they would have liked to, I don’t think they could get away with it. With tonight’s party at full capacity, they had their hands full as everyone tried to get closer to the stage, the action.
He still got us all to raise our hands, like we were antennas, receiving the music. As if we were in church, spiritually grounded, we honored bandmate Dave’s (Trugoy the Dove) memory. It was certainly different to witness without his presence.
Talib Kweli joined them for a couple of songs and as a solid backbone for most of the set. Quickly interjecting before heading off stage, they’ve always known the party is in Montreal, not Halifax, and certainly not Toronto. “If anyone tells you differently, tell them they are not listening,” said Kweli.
Cypress Hill
Here with one duty, to help us get high. Metaphorically and physically, it would not be a choice when these things are legal in one room. A big difference in Montreal, we never cared for the legality. Just another obvious tax grab on us. Tonight’s crowd was proudly putting their middle fingers up for corrupt government greed, all while enjoying a show.
B-Real and Sendog delivered a heavier old-school block of tracks, syncing perfectly with hardened anthems from the album Black Sunday, From The A To The K, Hand on The Glock, and Lick a Shot. Pandering to the more alternative, diverse crowd. When the Shit Goes Down was cleverly remixed in with Metallica, Rage Against The Machine, and Slayer- all friends, allies, and supporters of the group.
Sharing stages and festivals with countless bands over decades, it’s honestly hard to picture anyone having a beef with these guys. Unless you just can’t stand marijuana or fun. Maybe it’s just part of the secret to their success. Along with so much energy and passion on stage and off.
Next up, with the more danceable block of hits that were considered more party anthems. Latin Lingo, Tequila Sunrise, and Illusions. It was a huge contrast from all the rock shows I’m used to. Everyone was vibing in their way, even some moshing happening as things got rowdier.
It was time for Dr Greenthumb with a full green block of hits: Roll It Up Light It Up, Smoke it Up, I Wanna Get High, Hits From The Bong. Throwing in an extra Method Man, Redman cover, Cisco Kid.
Impressing us with a drum solo battle scratch-off, with a pause in rhyming for the group, and a general breather for the audience who were starting to feel the effects of the smoke, as it compromised the view. It came crashing down to an intense finish, hyping the crowd up for more.
I don’t believe the crowd could get more hyped during the “fuck the police’ portion. Was Starting with Boom Boom Biddy Bye Bye, I Ain’t Going Out Like That and How I Could Just Kill A Man. Sung with as much of an impact today as ever before. Rock Superstar was another rocked version with a Slayer Angel of Death snuck into the end.
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What was left of the beer flowed freely through the air with the excitement as fans were getting Insane In the Brain. Encouraged to sit right after, repose, so they could do House of Pain’s Jump Around justice, by jumping right out of our seats, catching some real air.
We were all soaring, having a time with Pharcyde and De La Soul joining for the one last shout-out. People were jetting out the exits in search of fresh air and to get on the road. On my float to the metro, I overheard people just listing restaurants. That was making me quite peckish after a huge, epic night of hip-hop. Stoned Was The Way Of My Walk, destination: operation late-night munchies.
