From Springfield to South Kensington

In 1996, an episode of The Simpsons saw Cypress Hill accidentally book the London Symphony Orchestra, "possibly while high." The scene, from Season 7, Episode 24 (Homerpalooza), became one of the show's most loved music moments, with its absurd clash of hip hop swagger and classical grandeur.

The London Symphony Orchestra show up backstage in full concert attire, ready to perform. The stage manager is trying to figure out who ordered them.

The exchange is peak Simpsons. Here is how it plays out:

Stage Manager: "Hello bands! Who is playing with the London Symphony Orchestra?"

Stage Manager: "Come on people… somebody ordered the London Symphony Orchestra."

Stage Manager: "Possibly while high." "Cypress Hill… I'm looking in your direction."

The band launch into a chaotic back-and-forth:

Cypress Hill: "Hey man, did we order an orchestra?"

Cypress Hill: "What's up with this orchestra?"

Cypress Hill: "Where did the orchestra come from?"

Cypress Hill: "I don't know man."

Cypress Hill: "You didn't tell me about this man."

Cypress Hill: "Well we gotta do something."

Cypress Hill: "Uh yeah yeah, we think we did."

Cypress Hill: "Uh, do you know Insane in the Brain?"

Orchestra Member: "We mostly know classical, but we could give it a shot."

It was a perfect moment, funny, weirdly plausible, and endlessly rewatchable. And for nearly three decades, the joke lived on. Fans quoted it, shared clips, and dreamt aloud: what if Cypress Hill really did perform with the LSO? The idea refused to fade.

A Joke Worth the Wait

It’s a hilarious moment in television history that easily could have been lost to time. But thanks to DJ Muggs, the idea stuck with the band for a long time. It floated around for years, but started to gain momentum after their East Coast peers Wu-Tang Clan pulled off an orchestral performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in 2021.

“We were kind of like, ‘Well, if they did it, let’s do it,’” B-Real joked. “We thank The Simpsons for writing that, because it became a part of our history, and now even more so.”

The group began building towards something special. In July 2023, they performed Black Sunday in full with the Colorado Symphony for its 30th anniversary and followed it up with four more symphonic shows. They also rehearsed with the LSO themselves, a surreal moment that, in their words, “no rapper ever thinks they’re going to have.”

Black Sunday at the Royal Albert Hall

On July 10, 2024, the band's orchestral adventure reached the Royal Albert Hall. Dressed in black suits and backed by the London Symphony Orchestra, Cypress Hill performed to a sold-out crowd of more than 5,000 fans. "It was like one of those 'what the f—' moments like, 'Oh, my God, I can't believe this is happening,'" B-Real said. "When we started over 30 years ago, there was no way you could tell me that we would ever be doing anything with a symphony, let alone LSO."

The show was a huge success. Tracks like "Dr. Greenthumb" and "Cuban Necktie" sounded completely transformed with a full symphonic backing. And although no joints were sparked on stage, the band's arrival at rehearsals was instantly recognised by the orchestra. As Bobo recalled, the smell gave them away.

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Streaming Now

You can now watch the full performance of Cypress Hill and the London Symphony Orchestra 'Black Sunday Live At The Royal Albert Hall' on demand with unlimited replays through the On Air website, mobile, and TV apps.

For fans of hip hop, classical music, or great stories, it is an unforgettable moment that was worth the wait.

What awards have Cypress Hill won?

Cypress Hill has been nominated for three Grammy Awards and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019. 

Where did Cypress Hill get their name?

The group named themselves after Cypress Avenue in South Gate, California, where they grew up. 

Have Cypress Hill collaborated with other artists?

Yes, Cypress Hill has collaborated with a variety of artists across genres, including Sonic Youth, Pearl Jam, and the London Symphony Orchestra. 

Is Cypress Hill currently on tour?

As of 2025, Cypress Hill is actively touring, with scheduled performances across North America and Europe.

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