Cypress Hill
Biography
Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from South Gate, California, formed in 1988. The group was the first Latin American hip hop group to have platinum and multi-platinum albums and have sold over 20 million albums worldwide. They are considered among the main progenitors of West Coast rap and 1990s hip hop. The group is also known for its advocacy of medical and recreational cannabis use. In 2019, Cypress Hill became the first hip hop group to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Formation and Early Success
The group was originally called DVX and was formed in 1986 by brothers Senen "Sen Dog" Reyes and "Mellow Man Ace" Reyes, along with Louis "B-Real" Freese and Lawrence "DJ Muggs" Muggerud. After Mellow Man Ace left the group in 1988, they renamed themselves Cypress Hill and signed with Ruffhouse/Columbia in 1991.
Their self-titled debut album was released in 1991, and became a sensation. The singles "How I Could Just Kill a Man" and "The Phuncky Feel One" became underground hits, and the group's pro-marijuana stance earned them a large following in the alternative rock community. The album went double platinum in the U.S.
Black Sunday and Mainstream Breakthrough
Cypress Hill's second album, "Black Sunday," debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in 1993. The album featured the crossover hit "Insane in the Brain," which propelled the album to triple-platinum status in the U.S. With their debut album still on the charts, they became the first rap artists to have two albums in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 at the same time. During this period, Eric "Bobo" Correa joined the group as a percussionist.
Musical Style and Themes
Cypress Hill's music is known for its distinctive sound, characterized by B-Real's high-pitched, nasal vocals and Sen Dog's more aggressive, booming delivery. DJ Muggs' production is notable for its slow, rolling bass-and-drum loops and psychedelic samples. A key element of their identity is their prominent advocacy for cannabis, with their lyrics and public image consistently promoting its legalization and use. They were also one of the first major hip-hop groups to incorporate Spanish and Latin slang into their lyrics.
Later Career and Experimentation
The group's third album, "III: Temples of Boom" (1995), showcased a darker and gloomier sound. Following this, members focused on solo projects before returning with "IV" in 1998. In 2000, they released the double album "Skull & Bones," with one disc dedicated to hip hop and the other exploring their rock and metal influences. This was followed by "Stoned Raiders" in 2001, which continued their experimentation with rock music. Subsequent albums include "Till Death Do Us Part" (2004), "Rise Up" (2010), "Elephants on Acid" (2018), and "Back in Black" (2022).