Concert Cypress Hill Tickets Toronto
Event Description (Available Tickets Below Video)
Cypress Hill: Hip-Hop Pioneers with a Blunt Edge
Cypress Hill is an iconic hip-hop group known for their unique sound, genre-crossing influence, and unapologetic advocacy for cannabis culture. As one of the first Latino rap groups to achieve mainstream success, Cypress Hill broke barriers in the 1990s and left an indelible mark on both hip-hop and alternative music scenes.
Formed in South Gate, California, in 1988, Cypress Hill originally consisted of B-Real (Louis Freese), Sen Dog (Senen Reyes), and producer DJ Muggs (Lawrence Muggerud). Later, percussionist Eric Bobo, son of Latin jazz legend Willie Bobo, joined the group during live performances and became a full-time member.
The group got its name from a street in their South Gate neighborhood and quickly gained a reputation for their dark, atmospheric beats and aggressive, bilingual lyrics. Their self-titled debut album, Cypress Hill (1991), became a landmark release in hip-hop, introducing their signature sound: DJ Muggs’ psychedelic, bass-heavy production and B-Real’s high-pitched nasal delivery, complemented by Sen Dog’s gritty, backing vocals.
From this debut came standout tracks like:
- “How I Could Just Kill a Man” – A hard-hitting track that earned critical acclaim and introduced their raw street style.
- “Hand on the Pump” – Known for its infectious beat and haunting chorus.
- “Latin Lingo” – One of the first bilingual rap tracks to gain wide attention.
The group’s sophomore effort, Black Sunday (1993), took them to new heights. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and featured the massive hit “Insane in the Brain”, which became a crossover success and a defining anthem of 1990s hip-hop. The album also included fan favorites like “I Ain’t Goin’ Out Like That” and “Hits from the Bong”, firmly establishing their place in hip-hop and stoner culture alike.
Cypress Hill continued to evolve musically, incorporating rock and metal elements into their sound—especially on albums like Skull & Bones (2000), which featured the rap-rock hit “(Rock) Superstar”. Their willingness to experiment helped them gain a diverse fan base and perform alongside rock and metal acts, including at festivals like Lollapalooza and Woodstock.
Beyond their music, Cypress Hill became cultural icons thanks to their outspoken advocacy for marijuana legalization. They were among the first hip-hop artists to make cannabis a central theme in their work, long before it became mainstream. B-Real even launched his own cannabis business and YouTube show, The Dr. Greenthumb Show.
Despite lineup changes and side projects, the group has remained active, releasing Elephants on Acid in 2018 and Back in Black in 2022. Their influence can still be felt across hip-hop, rock, and beyond.
With over 20 million records sold worldwide and a reputation for blazing trails—literally and figuratively—Cypress Hill is more than just a rap group. They’re hip-hop legends, cultural pioneers, and the kings of the smoke-filled soundtrack for generations of fans.
Tickets Toronto