On April 19, 2025, Cypress Hill brought their “Bongwalk Empire” tour to the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City, delivering a thunderous set that blended nostalgia, high-level showmanship, and their unmistakable stoner hip-hop legacy. Though the show technically preceded 4/20 by a few hours, the spirit of the unofficial holiday was fully alive and thriving inside the packed concert hall.
From the moment DJ Lord stepped behind the turntables, spinning hazy loops and booming basslines, the crowd was instantly transported into Cypress Hill’s world. As B-Real and Sen Dog made their entrance to the sounds of “I Wanna Get High” cheers echoed across the venue. The duo’s energy was relentless from the jump, bouncing across the stage with the same vigor they had in their ‘90s heyday. Their vocal interplay remains one of the most distinct elements in hip-hop, with B-Real’s nasal delivery slicing over Sen Dog’s gritty baritone, creating an unmistakable sound that still hits hard decades later.
The setlist delivered the classics fans came to hear. “Insane in the Brain” exploded through the speakers, sparking a wave of hands and clouds of smoke rising in unison. “Hits from the Bong” and “Dr. Greenthumb” landed with even more impact, considering the cannabis celebration just around the corner. During these moments, the crowd transformed into a unified chorus, reciting every lyric as if no time had passed since the songs’ original releases.
Eric Bobo’s live percussion elevated the performance into something beyond just a rap concert. His drumming added weight and dimension to the beats, especially during extended instrumental breaks where DJ Lord let loose with heavy, psychedelic transitions. The visuals behind the group added even more to the atmosphere—hypnotic animations, urban graffiti designs, and green-tinted motifs washed over the screens, reinforcing the themes and enhancing the vibe.
Cypress Hill closed the night with “Insane In The Brain” and then a cover of House of Pain’s “Jump Around” a fitting finale that summed up the show’s essence: gritty, legendary, and still hungry. Atlantic City got more than just a warm-up for 4/20—it got a celebration of one of hip-hop’s most iconic groups, still blazing trails after more than 30 years.
Cypress Hill
