B-Real (born Louis Freese on June 2, 1970) is a Latin rapper of Cuban and M… Read Full Bio ↴B-Real (born Louis Freese on June 2, 1970) is a Latin rapper of Cuban and Mexican heritage. He is best known for being the lead rapper in hip-hop group Cypress Hill, who made their debut with their self-titled album in 1991.

Born to a Mexican father and an Afro-Cuban mother, B-Real's moved with his sister and mother out of his father's home and moved to South Gate before ending up in South Central Los Angeles. Before dropping out of Bell High School, he befriended future Cypress Hill members Sen Dog and Mellow Man Ace (who forewent staying with the group to go solo). Sen Dog, who was affiliated with the Bloods gang set known as "Neighborhood Family" [South Swan Blood], would later introduce B-Real into the set.

B-Real became a drug dealer during his Blood affiliation. His lifestyle led to being shot in the lung by a .22 pistol in 1988. The shooting and subsequent hospitalization caused Sen Dog to rethink his priorities, leave the gang and take up a job as a department store security guard.

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. B-Real would use his life-threatening experiences as material for the group's self-titled debut album, and other albums.

B-Real has released three mixtapes as a solo artist: The Gunslinger (2005), The Gunslinger Part. II: Fist Full of Dollars (2006) and The Gunslinger Part III: For a Few Dollars More (2007). He has also collaborated in songs with many artists, some including: KRS One, House Of Pain, Kid Frost, Psycho Realm, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Coolio, Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Deftones, LL Cool J, Everlast, Warren G, Outkast, Dilated Peoples, The Alchemist, Tha Dogg Pound, DJ Quik, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Subliminal Orphans, Chino XL, D12, The Transplants, and La Coka Nostra.

On February 24, 2009, he released his debut solo album Smoke N Mirrors. It features guest appearances from Snoop Dogg, Damian Marley, Sen Dog, Soopafly and more.

www.brealonline.com

Smoke N Mirrors feat. Bo Roc
B-Real Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

You go outside, and you get influenced
And, you feel pressure from what’s going on outside
And so, you know I read one time
Like would you rather be at war with yourself and at peace with the world
Or at peace with yourself and at war with the world
Hello world, welcome to my thoughts
It’s some shit on my mind, and I gotta get it off
Cuz I can’t breathe and I swear I’m losing time

I think I might lose my mind
But until then, you know it’s hussle gang til the death of me
And god broke the mold, so you know there’s nothing left of me
Hope that there’s a heaven, that’s the only thing that keeps me going
Rest in peace to Brandon, that’s the only thing that keeps me flowing
Cuz half the time I could care less about this music shit
I know he’d rather I produce a hit, than move a brick
I can move the trees like a lumberjack
Berry sanders with the lions wishing I could run it back
Just so I can get some stacks, with the dead homies
To keep it real, it ain’t even bout the bread homie
I just wanna spend time with the ones that ain’t here no more
But since I can’t, I’ll scream they names til you can’t hear no more
Taught me how to get that shit up out the block
The money never sleeps so the hussle shouldn’t stop
I am not a thug, I just got it out the mud
I am no longer in the game but I still know the plug
So if shit get deep, Ima give em a call
And I still got shooters, make me get em involved
You breathe different when you driven by a legacy
I guess I’m just another pedigree
GONE
I be riding around flicking ashes on the ground
Letting my thoughts dance through the smoke
I’m in a fast whip with a super bad bitch
Pushing that gas to the floor
A hunnid on the Benz, put a hunnid on the bank
We getting these ends, we ain’t stuntin what you thank
I be praying that the money never change me
But even if it did would you blame me

Your thoughts powerful that shit you know
Come to life if you stick to your script

Overall Meaning

In B-Real's song Smoke N Mirrors feat. Bo Roc, the lyrics depict an artist's thoughts on the pressure and outside influences that come with the music industry. B-Real reveals that he often feels at war with himself, but at peace with the world, recognizing the pressure to maintain success in the industry. He also acknowledges that half the time, he could care less about the music, but still wishes to make hits for his deceased friend Brandon, and to spend time with his loved ones who have passed away. Ultimately, the song is about staying true to oneself amidst the chaos of the music industry and using the power of one's thoughts to manifest their dreams.

Line by Line Meaning

You go outside, and you get influenced
Being exposed to external factors can have an impact on your behavior

And, you feel pressure from what’s going on outside
External pressures can weigh heavy on your mind, affecting your mood and actions

And so, you know I read one time
As the saying goes

Like would you rather be at war with yourself and at peace with the world
Is it better to be in conflict with oneself but be at peace with the world, or be at peace with oneself and in conflict with the world?

Or at peace with yourself and at war with the world
Alternatively, is it preferable to be at peace with oneself but in conflict with the world?

Hello world, welcome to my thoughts
Welcome to my innermost feelings and reflections

It’s some shit on my mind, and I gotta get it off
I am grappling with some heavy thoughts and emotions and need to express them

Cuz I can’t breathe and I swear I’m losing time
I feel suffocated and like I'm running out of time to make my mark

I think I might lose my mind
I am at risk of losing my sanity

But until then, you know it’s hussle gang til the death of me
Until I pass away, I will continue to work hard and be part of the hustle gang

And god broke the mold, so you know there’s nothing left of me
I am unique and irreplaceable

Hope that there’s a heaven, that’s the only thing that keeps me going
Believing in an afterlife is what gives me hope and motivation

Rest in peace to Brandon, that’s the only thing that keeps me flowing
The memory of my departed friend Brandon is what inspires me and drives me forward

Cuz half the time I could care less about this music shit
Sometimes I feel apathetic towards the music industry

I know he’d rather I produce a hit, than move a brick
My friend would want me to focus on making successful music rather than illegal activities

I can move the trees like a lumberjack
I am skilled at selling drugs

Berry sanders with the lions wishing I could run it back
Referencing the retired NFL player Barry Sanders who played for the Detroit Lions, implying a desire to relive past success

Just so I can get some stacks, with the dead homies
I want to generate wealth to honor my deceased friends

To keep it real, it ain’t even bout the bread homie
Money isn't the real goal, my friends and their memories are what matter most to me

I just wanna spend time with the ones that ain’t here no more
I yearn to be with my departed friends

But since I can’t, I’ll scream they names til you can’t hear no more
I will keep their memory alive by continually mentioning their names

Taught me how to get that shit up out the block
My deceased friends taught me how to sell drugs

The money never sleeps so the hussle shouldn’t stop
The drug trade is a profitable industry and the hustle should continue

I am not a thug, I just got it out the mud
I am not a hardened criminal, I just made my fortune through drug dealing

I am no longer in the game but I still know the plug
Even though I am not actively involved in drug dealing, I still have connections to suppliers

So if shit get deep, Ima give em a call
If things get bad, I will contact my drug connections

And I still got shooters, make me get em involved
I have armed associates that I can call on for help

You breathe different when you driven by a legacy
You behave differently when your actions are motivated by the impact you will leave behind

I guess I’m just another pedigree
I am a product of my past and upbringing

GONE
End of song

I be riding around flicking ashes on the ground
I drive around carelessly flicking ash from my cigarette to the ground

Letting my thoughts dance through the smoke
I allow my mind to wander as I exhale smoke

I’m in a fast whip with a super bad bitch
I'm driving a fast car with a beautiful woman by my side

Pushing that gas to the floor
Driving recklessly fast

A hunnid on the Benz, put a hunnid on the bank
I spent a hundred thousand dollars on a Mercedes Benz car, and saved another hundred thousand in the bank

We getting these ends, we ain’t stuntin what you thank
We are making money and don't care what others think

I be praying that the money never change me
I hope that the wealth I acquire doesn't impact my personality or values

But even if it did would you blame me
But if I did change, would you judge me?

Your thoughts powerful that shit you know
Your thoughts have a lot of influence and can shape your reality

Come to life if you stick to your script
If you stay true to your principles and goals, your thoughts can manifest into reality

Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Jeremy Dixon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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