B-REAL

'Louis Freese' (born June 2 1970), known by stage name 'B-Real', is a Latin rapper of Mexican and Afro-Cuban heritage^[1]. He is best known for being the lead rapper in hip hop group Cypress Hill, who debuted with their self-titled album ''Cypress Hill'' in 1991.

Contents

Early life and career

Solo projects

Trivia

Discography

Solo

With Cypress Hill

References

External links

Early life and career

Born to a Afro-Cuban father and an Mexican mother, B-Real moved with his sister and mother out of his father's home to South Gate before ending up in South Central Los Angeles^[1] Before dropping out of Lynwood High School, he befriended future Cypress Hill members EZ (Israel Lopez) and Shrek (Ralph Moreno, who forewent staying with the group to go solo). EZ, who was affiliated with the Cypress Krew gang known as "Cypress Hill 99", would later introduce B-Real into the set^[1]. B-Real became a drug dealer and gangbanger. He was shot in the lung with a .22 pistol in 1988 on a doperun by a crip gang member. The shooting and subsequent hospitalization caused b real to rethink his priorities and take up a job at the barcoding department located in Santa Fe Springs.
After being introduced to DJ Muggs by Julio G the KDAY Mixmaster, B-Real and Sen gained interest in Muggs' concept of an album based on experiences from Cypress Ave in South Gate^[1]. Thus, Cypress Hill was born. The group was signed with Ruffhouse/Columbia records in 1991, and made their influential debut that year. B-Real would use his life-threatening experiences as material for the group's self-titled debut album, and subsequent releases. Although subversive as some would argue, the strong content is nevertheless an important artistic contribution as well as highly interesting from a sociolgical view.
Cypress Hill's trademark sound - an eccentric combination of B-Real's exaggeratedly high-pitched nasal vocals and DJ Muggs' distinctive beats - led to the trio becoming the first Latin rap group to have Platinum and Multi-Platinum albums^[1]. They remain the best selling Latin rap group to date^[6].
Aside from Cypress Hill, B-Real has been involved in several other musical projects. In 2002, he teamed up with Mellow Man Ace and Son Doobie for the short-lived Serial Rhyme Killas, which released one 12" single in 2002^[7]. The group recorded a full-length debut album, entitled ''Deluxe Rapture'', but it was never released. He was also previously a member of the group The Psycho Realm^[8]. B Real also was a part of the Space Jam soundtrack, contributing to the song "Hit 'Em High (The Monstar's Anthem)."

Solo projects

B-Real has released two mixtapes as a solo artist "Gunslinger" and "Gunslinger Vol. II"^[9]. He is currently working on his first solo album, entitled ''Smoke In Mirrors'' and has teamed up with Snoop Dogg in a single called Vato for Snoop Dogg's album The Blue Carpet Treatment.
B-Real has also collaborated with many other artists, including KRS-One, Warren G, House Of Pain, Psycho Realm, Snoop Dogg, LL Cool J, Fear Factory, Everlast, Kottonmouth Kings, Wu-Tang Clan, Dr. Dre, Eminem, D12, Ice Cube, Guru, Nas, Malverde, Biohazard_(band), and Kool G Rap^[7].

Trivia

★ Was previously romantically involved with Carmen Electra^[11].

★ Plays paintball on the professional team Stoned Assassins^[12].

★ Appeared in The Weakest Link along with Rev Run, Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat,DJ Quick,Nate Dogg and Young MC. He was voted off when he answered "what is 3 times 4?" incorrectly.

Discography

Solo

★ 2005 - ''The Gunslinger Volume I'' (mixtape)

★ 2006 - '' (mixtape)

★ 2006 - ''Vato'' [Single] (With Snoop Dogg)

★ 2007 - ''Smoke 'N Mirrors'' (album)

★ 2007 - ''I'm The Judge feat. B-Real'' (Busta Rhymes - Before Hell Freezes Over)

With Cypress Hill

★ 1991 - ''Cypress Hill''

★ 1993 - ''Black Sunday''

★ 1995 - ''

★ 1996 - ''Unreleased and Revamped''

★ 1998 - ''IV''

★ 1999 - ''Los grandes éxitos en español''

★ 2000 - ''Skull & Bones''

★ 2000 - ''Live At The Fillmore''

★ 2001 - ''Stoned Raiders''

★ 2004 - ''Till Death Do Us Part''

★ 2005 - ''Greatest Hits From the Bong''

References

1. B-Real Official Website Bio
2. B-Real Official Website Bio
3. B-Real Official Website Bio
4. B-Real Official Website Bio
5. B-Real Official Website Bio
6. "Greatest Hits From the Bong Out"
7. B-Real Official Website Discography
8. Latin Hip Hop News - "Psycho Realm Conducts their Sick Symphonies"
9. Latin Hip Hop News - " B-Real of Cypress Hill solo mixtape"
10. B-Real Official Website Discography
11. Carmen Electra Timeline
12. WARPIG - "WDP & Warped Sportz Sponsor New Team - Stoned Assassins - Cypress Hill"

External links

★ B-Real Official Site

★ Cypress Hill's official website

★ B-Real's paintball team website