1 minute read
An interview with Cypress Hill
by ColleenEhrle guest writer
With almost 10 years of experience behind them, Cypress Hill still remains one of the last active and influential pawns in the hip-hop game. This is an impressive feat, since the standard shelf life for most hip-hop artists is at most two years.
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DJ Muggs explains why their sound transcends various backgrounds, ''It's good music, plain and simple,'' he said.
Cypress Hill has gone on to sell over seven million albums (US sales) since the release of their breakthrough self-titled '91 release, featuring "Hand on the Pump" and "How Could I Just Kill A Man."
Contrary to the rumor, Cypress never did break up during the past two years. "People like to talk and that's all that was," Muggs said.
"There never was any type of split."
Cypress Hill is comprised of Muggs, DJ and producer; B-Real and Sen Dog, rappers; and the newest addition, Bobo, who has also worked with the Beastie Boys' live band, on percussion. Between the release of their third album, "Temples of Boom,"and the latest, "IV," members of the band kept busy with additional projects, which sparked such gossip of an alleged breakup. Sen Dog went on hiatus to pursue other musical endeavors.
DJ Muggs recorded "Muggs Presents the Soul Assassins" (released Feb. '97) with the help of contributing artists, including the Wu Tang Clan, Dr. Dre, KRS-One, Wyclef (from the Fugees) and Mobb Deep. In addition, B-Real also released a side project with two other L.A. based Latino rappers,
Duke and Jaken, who recorded under the name The Psycho Realm (released Oct. '97).
What discerns Cypress Hill from all the hordes of hip-hop acts is that they make touring a must, either by themselves or as part of package events, such as Lollapalooza '92, '94 and '95 and Woodstock '94. They also headlined the past three Smokin' Grooves tours.
"We' re here to entertain. We don't feel we're doing anything special or extra by touring,'' said Muggs.
The fact that MTV and commercial radio do not really push Cypress' recent releases has not had much of an impact commercially. "IV," their latest effort (released Oct. 6), debuted at number 11 on the Billboard top 200 albums chart. Cypress Hill is back on tour in true Cypress fashion to support ''IV."
