Their first album, which was self-titled, was released in August 1991. Its single was "Phuncky Feel One", but it was the B-side "How I Could Just Kill A Man" (formerly "Trigga Happy Nigga") that attracted more airplay on urban radio and college radio. Based on the success of the single and other tracks such as bilingual track "Latin Lingo" and X-rated Spanish track "Tres Equis", the album sold two million copies in the US alone. Subsequently, DJ Muggs produced the first House of Pain album, then worked on other projects like Funkdoobiest. The band made their first appearance at Lollapalooza on the side stage in 1992.
Black Sunday, the group's second album, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in 1993, recording the highest Soundscan for a rap group up until that time. Also with their debut still on the charts they became the first rap artists to have 2 albums in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 at the same time. With "Insane in the Brain" becoming a crossover hit, the album went triple platinum in the U.S. and sold about 3.25 million copies.
Cypress Hill was banned from Saturday Night Live after Muggs smoked cannabis on-air and the band trashed their instruments while playing their second single "I Ain't Goin' Out Like That". The band headlined the "Soul Assassins" tour with House of Pain and Funkdoobiest as support, then performed on a college tour with Rage Against the Machine and Seven Year Bitch. In 1993, Cypress Hill also had two tracks on the Judgment Night soundtrack, teamed up with Pearl Jam and Sonic Youth.
The band played at the 1994 Woodstock Festival introducing their new member Eric Bobo, formerly a percussionist with the Beastie Boys. Bobo is the son of salsa musician Willie Bobo. Rolling Stone magazine named the band as the best rap group in their music awards voted by critics and readers. Cypress Hill played at Lollapalooza for two successive years, topping the bill in 1995. They appeared on the The Simpsons episode "Homerpalooza".
Their third album Cypress Hill III: Temples of Boom was released in 1995 selling 1.5 million copies and reaching number 3 on the Billboard 200 on the strength of the hit single "Throw Your Set in the Air". Cypress Hill also contributed a track "I Wanna Get High" to the High Times sponsored Hempilation album to support NORML.
Feud With Ice Cube
Ice Cube asked to put "Throw Your Set in the Air" on his Friday soundtrack, but B-Real refused, prompting Cube to record a new song "Friday" with a similar chorus; Cypress Hill responded with the track "No Rest For The Wicked." Westside Connection replied with the diss track "King Of The Hill" and "Cross Em Out & Put a K", to which Cypress Hill replied with "Ice Cube Killa," which uses the same beat as "King Of The Hill" and disses Ice Cube and Mack 10. "Ice Cube Killa" has never been released officially. In 1997 B-Real of Cypress Hill and Ice Cube were invited to a late night talk show in order to reconcile their differences for the benefit of the hip hop community, and the feud thus ended. Cube And B-Real would work together later that year as guest features on the track "Men of Steel" for the soundtrack of Shaquille O'Neal's film Steel. B-Real and Cube did even feature as guests in Warren G's single "Get U Down" which also featured Snoop Dogg.
Continued career
Sen Dog took a break from the band to form a Los Angeles based punk-rap band SX-10. Meanwhile in 1996, Cypress Hill appeared on the first 'Smokin' Grooves' tour, featuring Ziggy Marley, The Fugees, Busta Rhymes and A Tribe Called Quest. The band also released a nine track EP Unreleased and Revamped with rare mixes. In 1997, band members focused on their solo careers. Muggs released Muggs Presents ... the Soul Assassins featuring contributions from Wu-Tang Clan members, Dr. Dre, KRS-One, Wyclef Jean and Mobb Deep. B-Real appeared with Busta Rhymes, Coolio, LL Cool J and Method Man on "Hit Em High" from the multi-platinum Space Jam Soundtrack. He also appeared with RBX, Nas and KRS-One on "East Coast Killer, West Coast Killer" on Dr. Dre's Dr. Dre Presents the Aftermath album, and released an album entitled "The Psycho Realm" from his side project of the same name. Though the focus that year was not on Cypress Hill, the band played Smokin' Grooves with George Clinton and Erykah Badu.
Cypress Hill released IV in 1998 which went gold in the U.S., even though the reviews were somewhat negative,[citation needed] on the backs of hit singles "Tequila Sunrise" and another tribute to smoking cannabis "Dr. Greenthumb." Sen Dog also released the Get Wood sampler as part of SX-10 on the label Flip. In 1999, Cypress Hill helped with the PC crime/very mature video game Kingpin: Life of Crime. Three of their songs from the 1998 IV album were in the game ( "16 Men Till There's No Men Left", "Checkmate" and "Lightning Strikes"). B-Real also did some of the voices of the people in the game. Also in 1999, the band released a greatest-hits album in Spanish, Los grandes éxitos en español. Cypress Hill then fused genres with their two-disc release, Skull & Bones, in 2000. The first disc, "Skull" was comprised of rap tracks while "Bones" explored further the group's forays into rock. The album reached the Top 5 on the Billboard 200 and number 3 in Canada. The first single was "Rock Superstar" for rock radio and "Rap Superstar" for urban radio. The band also released Live at the Fillmore, a concert disc recorded at the Fillmore (in San Fransico) in 2000. Cypress Hill continued their experimentation with rock on the Stoned Raiders album in 2001. However, its sales were a disappointment, as the disc did not even reach the top 50 of the U.S. album charts. In 2001, the group appeared in the film How High.
Cypress Hill recorded "Just Another Victim" for the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) as a theme song for Tazz. At the time, WWE was using original music for almost all of the wrestlers, so this was an unusual step for the company to take, but it remains one of the more memorable songs to emerge from the wrestling organization. The band released Till Death Do Us Part on March 23, 2004. The album saw the band experiment with reggae especially on the lead single "What's Your Number". The track features Tim Armstrong of Rancid on guitar and Rob Aston of The Transplants on backup vocals. It is based on the classic song "Guns of Brixton" on The Clash's London Calling and has proven to be a success on the modern rock charts. However, the album represented a further departure from the signature sound of their first four albums. The album also features appearances by Damian Marley, son of Bob Marley, Prodigy and Twin of Mobb Deep and producer the Alchemist.
In 2004, the song How I Could Just Kill A Man was included in the popular videogame Grand Theft Auto San Andreas created by Rockstar Games, playing on West Coast hip hop radio station Radio Los Santos. In December of 2005 a best of compilation album titled Greatest Hits From the Bong was released including 9 hits from previous albums and 2 new tracks. The group's next album was tentatively scheduled for an early 2007 release. In the summer of 2006, B-Real appeared on Snoop Dogg's single "Vato". Pharrell Williams produced the track, and originally sang the hook, but because of the video idea, B-Real was asked to sing the hook. Sen Dog is now currently touring with the Kottonmouth Kings, Kingspade and Dogboy on the Joint is on Fire Tour
In 2007 Cypress Hill toured with their full line up as a part of the Rock the Bells tour, held by Guerilla Union, and headlined with Public Enemy, Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, and a reunited Rage Against the Machine. Other acts included Immortal Technique, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, The Roots, EPMD, Pharoae Monch, Jedi Mind Tricks, Erykah Badu, MF Doom, Sage Francis, Brother Ali, The Coup, Blue Print, Lucky I Am, Living Legends, Felt, Cage, Mr. Lif, Grouch & Eligh, and Hangar 18.
Departure from Sony
Having fulfilled their contractual obligations with Sony Music, Cypress Hill will release an as-yet untitled album through a different record label in 2008.
Recently, it was announced that Cypress Hill will be members of the Kannabis Kartel along with the Kottonmouth Kings and Potluck. Their album will be released on Suburban Noize Records.
STYLE
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Production
One of the band's most striking aspects is B-Real's exaggeratedly high-pitched nasal vocals, which fits and emphasizes the lyrics' concentration on parodied gangster stories.
Sen Dog's lyrics are progressively more violent and tend to involve fewer rhyme schemes compared with B-Real's. In addition, as the style is today, some words are emphasized by adding a background voice to say them, however, Sen Dog's emphases are always more prominent, mostly shouted alongside with the rapping.
The sound and groove of their music, produced by Muggs, is also notable for its influence and stoned aesthetic; with its bass-heavy rhythms and odd sample loops ("Insane in the Brain" is notable for having a horse neigh looped in its chorus), it carries a psychedelic value, which lessened in the later albums.
The band is also known for involving rock instruments in their songs. This has caused the band to sometimes be classified as a rapcore group. In IV, there is Lightning Strikes which doesn't truly use electric guitars, but a synthesized version of it. Skull & Bones has an entire disc using such instruments, labeled Bones. As for their later works, their involvement in rock ended with the album Stoned Raiders (the tracks Trouble (also the first single of the album), Amplified and Catastrophe being the songs).
The band's music is constantly subject to change; while the first album follows a more minimalistic and funky sound, Black Sunday, the successor, has a slightly darker side to it. III (Temples of Boom) and IV are mostly influenced by psychedelic music. The band abandoned that on Skull & Bones and got closer to the modern rap as it is today. Stoned Raiders has a more authentic sound than the rest, and Till Death Do Us Part carries reggae influences.
The band is also known to involve horns in their songs, and often have guitar and horns together in the instrumentals. What's Your Number?, Trouble, Tequila Sunrise, and (Rock) Superstar have become some of the bands most popular songs featuring these elements. Cypress Hill's experimenting in different genres of music even includes reggaeton in their track "Latin Thugs" which features Tego Calderon.
Some fans feel that the band has drifted somewhat from the values of their earlier albums. For example in "Strictly Hip Hop" from Temples of Boom, the band complain about hip hop artists who have an album of hardcore tracks but have one or two pop songs which just so happen to be the singles. Cypress have arguably fallen into this trap with the single "What's You Number?"
The sound contribitions of DJ Muggs seems to be clearly influenced by marijuana consumption. Since one of the effects of a cannabis high is an altered audio sensual perception, the often slow paced and deep bass can be better appreciated. Furthermore, psychedelic sequences underly some parts of certain tracks such as "I Wanna Get High" for example. This is an interesting feature of their music, that had also been used before, especially during the 60's and 70's (e.g. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles).
Lyrics
The lyrics of tracks like "How I Could Just Kill A Man" offer an insight into the cultural expression of social stratification in L.A. at that point in history. Many other songs have cited topics such as police brutality, racial profiling, gang violence and anecdotes about invasion of privacy by police.
Furthermore the celebration of marijuana consumption is what they are often associated with in songs like "I Wanna Get High", "Stoned Is The Way Of The Walk" or "Hits From The Bong", the themes of recreational use of marijuana are prevalent.
Many of their songs also protest the current marijuana laws and voice their opinions on the hypocrisy of drug enforcement institutions.
Their lyrics often reflect the hip hop culture of Los Angeles in their earlier work such as their self-titled album and Black Sunday, which were very influential not only to Latino hip hop of the time but to many other hip hop groups around the world as well.
Throughout their career they have commonly incorporated Spanish into their lyrics as well as slang used by some Latinos in Los Angeles on songs like "Latin Lingo". Their album "Los Grandes Exitos En Espanol" features Spanish translations of many of their hit songs.
Years active 1987 - present.
Break 'Em Off Some
Cypress Hill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, eat a bowl of dick'up fools!
Do ya wanna get crazy?
Comin' atcha in '93!
Through the car swings
The firing pins go click
When I duck behind the trash bin
Got to make my way home
Hit the gate and get my chrome goddamn this song
They got me cornered lemme just warn ya
I'll pull this trigga make your family mourn ya
Boo-hoo! Where ya gonna run to when I pull out the Scooby Do
Run let me break ya off some, hit the floor 'coz it ain't no fun
But here they come, they must wanna get done
No frontin' punk, I'll break ya off somethin!
Break 'em off some
Break 'em off some
Break 'em off some
Break 'em off some
What the fuck I'm rollin'?
In a Mack truck that's stolen, guess what I'm holdin'?
Ammo to bust my load still I'm easin' on down
The yellow brick road
Whatta ya know?
A pig in a plain brown wrapper, he wanna bring me down
I'll hit that corner, lemme just warn ya
I'll bring ya ass down, make ya family mourn ya
21 gun salute, trying to take my loot
Don't make me shoot
I'll hit my blunt and pass you a load
And punk, let me break ya of something
Break 'em off some
Break 'em off some
I got to roll with the self control
In the green tank when the shit unfolds
Hold up, I got it sewn up
Me and my niggas are about to blow up
Got the pigs on my tail
What they get is the hollow point shell, caught in the sail
Servin' my sentence, got my apprentice in the hood
But the nigga is senseless
Out on parole
Now the nigga has turned to my fold, now the punk gotta go
That punk got shady, wouldn't repay me
Let the punk know that ya still can't fade me
Maybe the fucker would stop
But nothin' would stop me from havin' to break 'em off something
Break 'em off some
Break 'em off some
Break 'em off some
The lyrics of Cypress Hill’s song Break ‘Em Off Some are about the singer who is being chased by the police and needs to defend himself. As he runs, he becomes increasingly desperate and starts to lose his ammunition. In response to being cornered, he threatens to shoot those who are in pursuit, and eventually finds himself on the yellow brick road, suggesting that he is in a dreamlike state. He warns others that they will be mourned, as he has the power to take their lives.
The song speaks to the feelings of despair and hopelessness that can accompany being pursued by authority figures, especially when the pursuit is unjust. The desperation of the singer is palpable and his willingness to take the lives of those around him demonstrates the depths of his fear and anxiety. This song represents the larger theme of social justice that is present throughout the work of Cypress Hill, as they use music to speak about the experience of oppressed individuals in society.
* According to producer DJ Muggs, the song’s beat was created using a sample from Lee Oskar’s “Ha La Le La.”
* The music video for the song was directed by Estevan Oriol and was shot in South Central Los Angeles.
* Break ‘Em Off Some is the second single from Cypress Hill’s third studio album, Black Sunday.
* The album Black Sunday went triple platinum in the United States.
* The song has been featured in various films and TV shows, including the movie Gone in 60 Seconds and the TV series Weeds.
* Cypress Hill performed the song during their performance on the Lollapalooza tour in 1995.
* Rolling Stone magazine named Black Sunday one of the 100 best albums of the 1990s.
* The album cover of Black Sunday features a photograph of a smoking skeleton.
* Break ‘Em Off Some was featured in the video game Carmageddon II: Carpocalypse Now.
* The song was featured in an episode of The Office, where the character Dwight Schrute uses it as his ringtone.
Chords not provided as this is a rap song.
Line by Line Meaning
This one goes out to all you punk motherfuckers out there
This song is dedicated to all the disrespectful individuals.
Yeah, eat a bowl of dick'up fools!
Expressing disdain and provocation towards disrespectful individuals.
Do ya wanna get crazy?
Asking if the listeners are ready for something intense.
Comin' atcha in '93!
This song was released in 1993.
Through the car swings
Being in the middle of a dangerous situation where gunshots are being fired.
The firing pins go click
Weapons are being fired while the singer is trying to find cover.
When I duck behind the trash bin
The singer is trying to avoid getting shot by hiding behind a trash bin.
Ran out of ammo no doubt my gatt is dry like a fuckin' drought
The artist runs out of bullets and their gun is empty.
Got to make my way home
The artist needs to escape from the dangerous situation.
Hit the gate and get my chrome goddamn this song
Refers to the artist grabbing their gun before leaving the scene.
They got me cornered lemme just warn ya
The singer is cornered and is warning their opponents of their capabilities.
I'll pull this trigga make your family mourn ya
The artist is threatening to kill their enemies.
Boo-hoo! Where ya gonna run to when I pull out the Scooby Do
Expressing a taunt towards the enemies.
Run let me break ya off some, hit the floor 'coz it ain't no fun
Telling the enemies to run away and hide because the situation is dangerous.
But here they come, they must wanna get done
Anticipating the enemies' next move.
No frontin' punk, I'll break ya off somethin!
Threatening to physically harm the enemies.
Break 'em off some
Repeating the message of breaking off the enemies.
What the fuck I'm rollin'?
Asking what the singer is driving.
In a Mack truck that's stolen, guess what I'm holdin'?
Revealing that the singer is driving a stolen Mack truck and holding ammunition.
Ammo to bust my load still I'm easin' on down
Still holding ammunition and driving slowly.
The yellow brick road
A reference to the Wizard of Oz.
Whatta ya know?
Asking a rhetorical question.
A pig in a plain brown wrapper, he wanna bring me down
Refers to a police officer trying to arrest the singer.
I'll hit that corner, lemme just warn ya
The artist is warning the police officer of their intentions.
I'll bring ya ass down, make ya family mourn ya
Threatening to kill the police officer.
21 gun salute, trying to take my loot
Reference to a military funeral and police officers trying to take away the singer's belongings.
Don't make me shoot
Threatening to shoot the police officers.
I'll hit my blunt and pass you a load
Smoking marijuana and sharing ammunition with friends.
And punk, let me break ya of something
Addressing disrespectful individuals and threatening to physically harm them.
I got to roll with the self control
Needing to stay calm and collected.
In the green tank when the shit unfolds
Driving a green car when dangerous situations arise.
Hold up, I got it sewn up
Feeling confident and in control.
Me and my niggas are about to blow up
Referring to the artist's friends who are about to become famous.
Got the pigs on my tail
Being chased by police officers.
What they get is the hollow point shell, caught in the sail
Police officers will get shot and die.
Servin' my sentence, got my apprentice in the hood, but the nigga is senseless
The artist is going to prison and their friend is not reliable.
Out on parole, now the nigga has turned to my fold, now the punk gotta go
The singer's friend is released from prison and becomes a liability.
That punk got shady, wouldn't repay me
The singer's friend became untrustworthy and did not return a favor.
Let the punk know that ya still can't fade me
Threatening the friend.
Maybe the fucker would stop
Expressing uncertainty about the friend's actions.
But nothin' would stop me from havin' to break 'em off something
Nothing would stop the artist from physically harming disrespectful individuals.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSEF ERICH ZAWINUL, LARRY MUGGERUD, LOUIS M. FREEZE, SENEN REYES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
andy boyd
Fav track on the album, drops in heavy in the mix, pure dance floor destroyer
wu bonkald
I agree 100%
Chariot Cartoons
I just heard this for the first time today. I instantly started dancing. Unbelievable song. I wish there were more like this.
ShanTheMan
Is this anyone's favourite joint off the album? It's mine. I love it!!!
AngelEyes
Sure fuckin is
James Emmerson
1992, memories of the long summer after school... took over a friends garage with the parents consent... listening to Black Sunday was the album of choice, consuming vast quantities of weed, alcohol, trips, speed and other substances was our mission. A simple plan. One Hell of a Summer!
francisco barreto
Black Sunday came out in 93
Angel calihua
I think black Sunday was released in 1993.
Anyway one of the best albums in the hip hop Game.
TheReubenShow
I'm old too, bro. bumpin loud enough that I can't hear my joints creak and pop.
Jesus saw that
Everything was so simple