“Our style was everything that we were about on our block,” says Muggs, reminiscing about the group’s earliest days. “We sold weed, we hung out, we gang-banged, we listened to funk.” Broken down like that on paper, it seems pretty basic. But the group’s L.A. masterpiece was anything but.
–Brian Coleman, Check the Technique
Released August 13th, 1991, Cypress Hill’s smoked-out, self-titled debut turns 25 this month, and, remains a classic hip-hop joint of it’s time. Fusing funk samples with hip-hop beats, hardcore lyrics, and a love of smoking weed, the album introduced the world to the group’s unique musical style. Receiving a high amount of critical and commercial acclaim, Cypress Hill was certified double platinum by the RIAA, laying the groundwork as it were for their hugely successful follow up Black Sunday.
To celebrate Cypress Hill’s 25th anniversary, our buddy DJ Matman has cooked up a sweet mixtape featuring album tracks, remixes, and original sample material for Wax Poetics and WhoSampled.
Listen up and enjoy!
Artwork by Leon Nockolds
Tracklist: