by Mitch West
Photo Credit: Pinnacle Bank Arena
This past Thursday night in Lincoln, NE West Coast Hip Hop made another visit. Earlier this year Snoop Dogg played to a sold-out crowd at Pinnacle Bank Arena on 4/20. green once again this year with Hip Hop royalty If ever there was a tour that gave you a concentrated dose of West Coast Hip Hop it was the "West Fest Tour" Featuring: Ying Yang Twins, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Cypress Hill, and the Gangster Rap legend himself Ice Cube. Sadly we were unable to watch Ying Yang Twins.
Bone thugs-N-harmony Photo Credit: @thatonemitchkid
Bone thugs-N-harmony brought the lyric and speed-rapping heat much of us in the Midwest crave but don't often get. The group is from Cleveland, Ohio, and consists of rappers Bizzy Bone, Layzie Bone, Krayzie Bone, Flesh-n-Bone, and Wishbone. After signing to Eazy-E's Ruthless Records in 1993 they released their debut album, 'Creepin on ah Come Up' in 1994. It was a critical commercial success, spawning the hit singles "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" and "Foe tha Love of $". Bone Thugs-N-Harmony went on to release six more studio albums, all of which were certified platinum or multi-platinum in the United States. The group has won two Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album for their 1997 album E. 1999 Eternal. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is considered one of the most influential hip-hop groups of all time, and their music has been sampled by many other artists.
That night they played the hits to a crowd that knew every single word. One of the most powerful moments was when the group paid respect to two of Hip Hop's most iconic figures East Coast legend Biggie Smalls and legendary West Coast NWA member Eazy-E reminding everyone just how much of a community Hip Hip is at the end of the day. At one point in the set, there were some issues with the audio equipment. To some that would have slowed them down but not for Bone Thugz, it just made them hit the gas pedal pushing it to the floor showing us the true power of their flow in Acapella form.
BReal of Cypress Hill Photo Credit: @thatonemitchkid
It was time to get lifted to the stars with the high-flying group Cypress Hill. These hip-hop legends originated in South Gate, California, in 1988. The group consists of rappers B-Real, Sen Dog, and DJ Muggs. Known for their use of Latin-influenced beats and their socially conscious lyrics Cypress Hill has become one of the most successful hip-hop groups of all time, selling over 20 million albums worldwide. The group is also known for its activism, particularly in the area of marijuana legalization. They have been vocal advocates for the legalization of marijuana for many years, and they have even released their line of marijuana products.
Cypress Hill lit it up last night both literally and figuratively. Nobody was standing still or sitting down. The crowd got the green light and a dense thick haze soon filled the rest of the arena. A sense of calm hit the air ; ) Cypress Hill was in town. There wasn't a dull moment in their set. It was the best kind of set with Cypress Hill performing some of their biggest hits such as 'Insane in the Brain', 'Tequila Sunrise' and 'How I Could Just Kill a Man'. They brought the Latino love to the capital city and welcomed you into their family leaving the crowd hungry for more ; ) Make sure to check out B Reals podcast 'B-Real TV'
Ice Cube at Pinnacle Bank Arena Photo Credit: @thatonemitchkid
Lights went down, music was cranked up and boom Ice Cube had arrived. The West Coast hip-hop titan gave you a taste of that legendary Compton sound. O'Shea Jackson Sr., known professionally as Ice Cube, is an American rapper, actor, and filmmaker. Known for his work with the legendary hip-hop group N.W.A. as well as his solo career. Ice Cube is considered one of the most influential rappers of all time, and his music has been credited with helping to popularize gangsta rap. To date, he has released nine solo studio albums, all of which have been certified platinum or multi-platinum in the United States. Ice Cube has also appeared in numerous films, including Boyz n the Hood, Friday, and Barbershop. If that wasn't enough, he is a successful businessman and entrepreneur having his record label, clothing line, and production company. He made damn sure those that doubted his place in music history were reminded of just how powerful and important NWA, Gangster Rap and the West Coast are and will always be to Hip Hop. For fans like myself who geek out to Hip Hop and so many others, The West Fest Tour gave you quite the dose of West Coast Hip Hop you needed and craved. The West Fest Tour may be over now but you can still catch Ice Cube when he makes his way back to the Midwest to play Harrah's Stir Concert Cove Friday, July 14th. Get your tickets HERE!
*Updated 4.30.23*
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