Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Also known as | DVX (1988) |
Origin | South Gate, California, U.S. |
Genres | |
Years active | 1988–present[6] |
Labels | |
Spinoffs | |
Members | |
Past members | |
Website | cypresshill |
Cypress Hill is an American
History
Formation (1988)
Senen Reyes (also known as
Mainstream success with Cypress Hill and Black Sunday, addition of Eric Bobo, and III: Temples of Boom (1989–1996)
After recording a demo in 1989, Cypress Hill signed a record deal with
The group later played at
Cypress Hill's third album
Focus on solo projects, IV, crossover appeal with Skull & Bones, and Stoned Raiders (1997–2002)
In 1997, the members focused on their solo careers. DJ Muggs released
In early 1998, Sen Dog returned to Cypress Hill. He cited his therapist and also his creative collaborations with the band SX-10 as catalysts for his rejoining. The quartet then embarked on the third annual Smokin' Grooves tour with
In 2000, Cypress Hill fused genres with their fifth album,
Due to the rock genre's prominent appearance on Skull & Bones, Cypress Hill employed the members of Sen Dog's band SX-10 as backing musicians for the live shows. Cypress Hill supported Skull & Bones by initially playing a summer tour with
Till Death Do Us Part, DJ Muggs' hiatus, and extensive collaborations on Rise Up (2003–2012)
Cypress Hill released Till Death Do Us Part in March 2004 as it peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard 200. It featured appearances by Bob Marley's son Damian Marley, Prodigy of Mobb Deep, and producers The Alchemist and Fredwreck. The album represented a further departure from the group's signature sound. Reggae was a strong influence on its sound, especially on the lead single "What's Your Number?". The track featured Tim Armstrong of Rancid on guitar and backup vocals. It was based on the classic song "The Guns of Brixton" from The Clash's album London Calling. "What's Your Number?" saw Cypress Hill crossover into the rock charts again, as the single peaked at No. 23 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.
Afterwards, DJ Muggs took a hiatus from the group to focus on other projects, such as
On July 25, 2008, Cypress Hill performed at a benefit concert at the
Cypress Hill's eighth studio album
Cypress Hill commenced its Rise Up tour in Philadelphia on April 10, 2010. In one particular instance, the group was supposed to stop in Tucson, Arizona but canceled the show in protest of the recent immigration legislation. At the Rock en Seine festival in Paris on August 27, 2010, they had said in an interview that they would anticipate the outcome of the legislation before returning.[24] Also in 2010, Cypress Hill performed at the Reading and Leeds Festivals on August 28 at Leeds and August 29 at Reading. On June 5, 2012, Cypress Hill and dubstep artist Rusko released a collaborative EP entitled Cypress X Rusko. DJ Muggs, who was still on a hiatus, and Eric Bobo were absent on the release. Also in 2012, Cypress Hill collaborated with Deadmau5 on his sixth studio album Album Title Goes Here, lending vocals on "Failbait".[25]
Elephants on Acid, Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Back in Black (2013–2022)
During the interval between Cypress Hill albums, the four members commenced work on various projects. B-Real formed the band Prophets of Rage alongside three members of Rage Against the Machine and two members of Public Enemy. He also released The Prescription EP under his Dr. Greenthumb persona. Sen Dog formed the band Powerflo alongside members of Fear Factory, downset., and Biohazard. DJ Muggs revived his Soul Assassins project as its main producer. Eric Bobo formed a duo named Ritmo Machine. He also contributed to an unreleased album by his father Willie Bobo.[26]
On September 28, 2018, Cypress Hill released the album
In January 2022, the group announced their 10th studio album entitled
A documentary about the group, entitled Cypress Hill: Insane in the Brain, was released on the Showtime service in April 2022. Estevan Oriol, Cypress Hill's former tour manager and close associate, directed the film. It had mainly chronicled the group's formation and their first decade of existence.[29] In relation to the Cypress Hill: Insane in the Brain documentary, Cypress Hill digitally released the single "Crossroads" in September 2022. The single featured the return of DJ Muggs on production.[30]
Future plans and tentative final album (2023–present)
In an interview, Sen Dog claimed that the group will fully reunite with DJ Muggs for an 11th album; however, he stated that it will be the group's final album of their career.[31]
The group performed at various festivals in 2023 such as the Festival d'été de Québec and in celebrating the 30th anniversary of their second studio album Black Sunday, they also announced several standalone concerts in North America and Europe. They are due to perform along with The Pharcyde and Souls of Mischief in May 2024.[32] In March 2024, they announced three dates in Italy, Austria and Germany for July.[33]
Style
Rapping
One of the band's most striking aspects is B-Real's exaggeratedly high-pitched nasal vocals.[11] In the book Check the Technique, B-Real described his nasal style, saying his rapping voice is "high and annoying...the nasal style I have was just something that I developed...my more natural style wasn't so pleasing to DJ Muggs and Sen Dog's ears"[34] and talking about the nasal style in the book How to Rap, B-Real said "you want to stand out from the others and just be distinct...when you got something that can separate you from everybody else, you gotta use it to your advantage."[8] In the film Art of Rap, B-Real credited the Beastie Boys as an influence when developing his rapping style. Sen Dog's voice is deeper, more violent, and often shouted alongside the rapping; his vocals are often emphasized by adding another background/choir voice to say them. Sen Dog's style is in contrast to B-Real's, who said "Sen's voice is so strong" and "it all blends together" when they are both on the same track.[34]
Both B-Real and Sen Dog started writing lyrics in both Spanish and English. Initially, B-Real was inspired to start writing raps from watching Sen Dog and Mellow Man Ace writing their lyrics,[34] and originally B-Real was going to just be the writer for the group rather than a rapper.[34] Their lyrics are noted for bringing a "cartoonish" approach to violence by Peter Shapiro and Allmusic.[11][35]
Production
The sound and groove of their music, mostly produced by DJ Muggs, has spooky sounds and a stoned aesthetic; with its bass-heavy rhythms and odd sample loops ("Insane in the Brain" has a blues guitar pitched looped in its chorus), it carries a psychedelic value, which is lessened in their rock-oriented albums.[11][35] The double album Skull & Bones consists of a pure rap disc (Skull) and a separate rock disc (Bones). In the live album Live at The Fillmore, some of the old classics were played in a rock/metal version, with Eric Bobo playing the drums and Sen Dog's band SX-10 as the other instrumentalists. 2010's Rise Up was the most radically different album in regards to production. DJ Muggs had produced the majority of each prior Cypress Hill album, but he only appeared on Rise Up twice. The remaining songs were handled by various other guests.[36] 2018's Elephants on Acid marked the return of DJ Muggs, and the album featured a more psychedelic and hip-hop approach.[26][37]
Legacy
Cypress Hill are often credited for being one of the few Latin American hip hop groups to break through with their own stylistic impact on rap music. Cypress Hill have been cited as an influence by artists such as Eminem,[38] Baby Bash,[39] Paul Wall[40] ,Post Malone,[41] Luniz,[42] and Fat Joe.[43] Cypress Hill have also been cited as a strong influence on nu metal bands such as Deftones,[44] Limp Bizkit,[45] System of a Down,[46] Linkin Park,[47] and Korn.[48][49] Famously, the bassline during the outro of Korn's 1994 single "Blind" was a direct tribute to Cypress Hill's 1993 track "Lick a Shot".[50]
Discography
Studio albums
- Cypress Hill (1991)
- Black Sunday (1993)
- III: Temples of Boom(1995)
- IV(1998)
- Skull & Bones (2000)
- Stoned Raiders (2001)
- Till Death Do Us Part (2004)
- Rise Up (2010)
- Elephants on Acid (2018)
- Back in Black (2022)
Awards and nominations
Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1992 | "The Phuncky Feel One" | Top Rap Song | Won |
Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1994
|
"Insane in the Brain" | Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
|
Nominated |
1995
|
"I Ain't Goin' Out Like That" | Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group | Nominated |
1996
|
"Throw Your Set in the Air" | Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group | Nominated |
Year | Nominated work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1994 | "Insane in the Brain" | Best Rap Video | Nominated |
Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | Cypress Hill | Star | Won |
Members
Current
Current touring |
Former
Former touring
|
- Timeline
References
- ^ Shipley, Al (June 23, 2023). "Cypress Hill's 10 Greatest Live Performances". Spin. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ Thomas, Fred. "Elephants on Acid Review by Fred Thomas". AllMusic. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
- ^ "'Cypress Hill': Hardcore Latin Hip-Hop Begins". August 13, 2021.
- ^ Reeves, Mosi. "B-Boys on Acid: A Brief History of Psychedelic Hip-Hop". The Dowsers. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
- ISSN 1070-4701. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
- ^ "Cypress Hill". YouTube. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
- ^ a b "DJ Muggs". cypresshill.com. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- ^ a b Edwards, Paul, 2009, How to Rap: The Art & Science of the Hip-Hop MC, Chicago Review Press, p. 316.
- ^ Hill, Cypress. "High Times and the High Times Mag Cover". Rap Genius.
- ^ a b c d e "Cypress Hill Get a Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame: 'Seeing This Here, It Is an Honor'". Billboard. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Cypress Hill – Biography". Whiplash. Retrieved April 12, 2011.
- ^ "Billboard 200 1993-12-18". Billboard. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ "The infamous moment Cypress Hill were banned from 'Saturday Night Live'". Far Out Magazine. June 30, 2021.
- ^ "1994 Music Awards". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ "RIAA Gold and Platinum Program: Cypress Hill". RIAA.
- ^ a b "Sen Dog's Return Sparks Latest Cypress Hill LP". MTV. September 18, 1998.
- ^ "SX10 tocara hoy en el DanZoo". La Jornada (in Spanish). Mexico City. May 24, 2003. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
- ^ "Napster To Sponsor Free Tour By Limp Bizkit, Cypress Hill". MTV. April 24, 2000.
- ^ "Cypress Hill To Perform at Benefit of Homelessness in youth dance event for euphoria and aid relief". Theblackspotlight.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2011. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
- ^ "Madden 2010 Soundtrack Revealed". Bleacher Report, Inc. July 26, 2009. Retrieved April 22, 2010.
- ^ "Cypress Hill to Return With Help From Slash, Tom Morello and Mike Shinoda". Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2009.
- ^ Wolfe, Roman (January 15, 2010). "Snoop Dogg Signs Cypress Hill To Priority". Infinity, Allhiphop.com, Inc. Archived from the original on April 18, 2010. Retrieved April 22, 2010.
- ^ a b "Cypress Hill – Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
- ^ "Cypress Hill – Love the snails and the dope, but not Arizona's law | RFI". Rfi. August 28, 2010. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
- ^ Cubarrubia, RJ (June 20, 2012). "EP Premiere: Deadmau5, 'The Veldt' | Music News". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 22, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Elephants on Acid Review". Faygoluvers. November 17, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ "Cypress Hill Releasing New Album 'Back In Black". Faygoluvers. January 21, 2022. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
- ^ "Cypress Hill to join Slipknot". January 18, 2022.
- ^ "Watch the Trailer for Cypress Hill's Smoke-Filled Documentary". Rolling Stone. March 21, 2022.
- ^ Fu, Eddie (September 27, 2022). "Cypress Hill Reach a "Crossroads" on New Song: Stream". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
- ^ "Cypress Hill Returns to Their Underground Roots on Black Milk-Produced 'Back in Black'". OkayPlayer. March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
- ^ "Cypress Hill will tour with The Pharcyde and Souls of Mischief, coming to Asheville in May". clture.org. January 16, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ "Cypress Hill Announce New Dates in Italy, Austria and Germany". cypresshill.com. March 4, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ Check The Technique: Liner Notes For Hip-Hop Junkies. New York: Villard/Random House, 2007, pp. 122–123.
- ^ a b Shapiro, Peter, 2005, The Rough Guide To Hip-Hop, 2nd Edition, Penguin, pp. 73–74.
- ^ Baird, Saxon (May 6, 2010). "Cypress Hill: Rise Up". PopMatters. Archived from the original on December 20, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
- ^ "New Cypress Hill Album 'Elephants on Acid'". Hiphopdx. February 11, 2016.
- ^ "B-Real Addresses Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. Protecting Eminem From L.A. Crips: 'No One Was Fucking With Those Guys'". November 17, 2020.
- ^ "Ice Cube, Cypress Hill coming to Bakersfield for May concert at Mechanics Bank Arena". February 2, 2023.
- ^ "New Music: Paul Wall & Baby Bash – 'Smoke With Cypress Hill' (Feat. Berner)". April 13, 2016.
- ^ "If You Think Coachella Abandoned Rap, You're Not Paying Attention". Complex Networks.
- ^ "Luniz's I got 5 on it Sample History". WhoSampled.
- ^ "Fat Joe on Inclusivity in Hip Hop: 'We Were Always Taught to Embrace Everybody'". June 21, 2022.
- ^ "Watch Cypress Hill perform with Deftones, System Of A Down members in LA". February 7, 2023.
- ^ "Cypress Hill's New Documentary Shows How Their Importance Goes Beyond '90s Hip-Hop".
- ^ "Cypress Hill and System of a Down's Shavo Odadjian Are 'Reppin' the City' as They Link Up for LAFC 'Banger'". Rolling Stone. October 10, 2022.
- ^ "Linkin Park Snares Cypress Hill, Adema For Tour". Billboard.
- ^ "Korn admit there would be no Korn without Cypress Hill". YouTube.
- ^ "Korn Guitarist Says They Ripped Off Cypress Hill On First Album, "All In The Family" Hasn't Aged Well". October 20, 2016.
- ^ "Exclusive: Korn on Recording With Ice Cube and the Impact of Cypress Hill". August 19, 2019.
- ^ "Review: Atmosphere, Cypess Hill unleash tidal wave of hip-hop". The Spokesman-Review. August 23, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
External links
- Official website
- Cypress Hill at AllMusic
- Cypress Hill discography at Discogs