Off Album - Cheech And Chong You Got Ripped
Released in 1981 at the height of the duo’s fame, the You Got Ripped Off album was not a traditional comedy album. It wasn’t a live recording, nor a collection of new studio sketches. Instead, it was a contractual obligation record—a legal loophole album that infuriated the duo but fascinated fans. Today, it remains a bizarre relic of the music industry’s golden age of exploitation. Let’s dive into the smoke-filled history of this forgotten gem. To understand the Cheech and Chong You Got Ripped Off album , you need to understand the duo’s relationship with Warner Bros. Records in the late 1970s. By 1980, Cheech and Chong were superstars. They had released six successful studio albums, starred in two hit movies ( Up in Smoke and Cheech & Chong's Next Movie ), and were working on their third film, Nice Dreams .
When you think of the legendary comedy duo Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, certain iconic albums immediately come to mind: Big Bambu (famous for the giant rolling paper inside), Los Cochinos (which won a Grammy), and the soundtrack to their breakout film, Up in Smoke . But for hardcore fans and vinyl collectors, one title stands apart as the strangest, most controversial, and most misunderstood entry in their discography: the Cheech and Chong You Got Ripped Off album . cheech and chong you got ripped off album
Some early pressings even included a fake price tag that said “$8.98 – Too Much.” The back cover featured a photo of Cheech and Chong laughing and pointing at the viewer, as if to say, “We can’t believe you paid for this.” Cheech and Chong were so upset about Warner Bros. forcing the release that they sued the label to prevent future unauthorized compilations. They lost. However, the album was quickly deleted from catalogs after only one press run. Warner Bros. reportedly destroyed leftover copies after the duo fulfilled their contract and moved to MCA Records. Released in 1981 at the height of the
So if you ever stumble across a dusty copy of You Got Ripped Off , buy it. But remember: they warned you. Cheech and Chong’s You Got Ripped Off album is terrible, brilliant, and essential—all at once. Just like the duo themselves. Today, it remains a bizarre relic of the