Cypress Hill was ahead of its time. The L.A. hip-hop group has been loudly proclaiming its support for marijuana since its 1991 debut album, with song titles like “Light Another” and “Stoned Is the Way of the Walk.” That self-titled album is also one of the most influential in the history of hip-hop, producing classics “How I Could Just Kill a Man” and “Hand on the Pump.” The group, featuring rappers B-Real and Sen Dog and musicians DJ Muggs and Eric Bobo, continued to dominate hip-hop in the ’90s with hits like “Insane in the Brain” and “I Ain’t Going Out Like That,” and the members continued to strongly advocate for marijuana legalization.
Cypress Hill was also one of the first groups to bridge the gap between rap and rock, collaborating with artists like Pearl Jam, Sonic Youth and Deftones, and scoring one of their biggest hits with “Rock Superstar.” Now, marijuana is legal in multiple states (and B-Real is the co-owner of a California dispensary), and groups like Hollywood Undead (who are opening for Cypress Hill on the group’s current tour) consistently meld rap and rock in their music. The world has finally caught up with what Cypress Hill knew all along.
House of Blues at Mandalay Bay, 7:30 p.m. March 24, starting at $39.50 plus tax and fee. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster
