No. 331: Cypress Hill - "Black Sunday" (1993)

I normally like my hip-hop intelligent and with a social agenda, in the style of Chuck D and Public Enemy for example, however every now and again I just like to sit back and listen to some Cypress Hill.
You don't need a degree in English Lit to work out what songs like " I Wanna Get High", "Legalize It" & "Hits From The Bong" are about (or "Cock The Hammer" and "Hand on the Glock" for that matter) but be assured, it all just represents a "day in the life" for this successful 90's Latino West Coast rap crew.
DJ Muggs's tasty use of sampling is a highlight of this album, especially the use of Dusty Springfield's "Son of a Preacher Man" on "Hits From The Bong". That hypnotic guitar loop behind the big beats make it the classic chillout stoner anthem it is. Well, that and the sound effects of the bong actually being "hit"...
"Insane In The Brain" was the big breakthrough single, with rapper B-Real's high nasally rhymes appealing to both the rock audience and the well-established rap/hip-hop fanbase. This hit helped to build some momentum for the band which culminated with them performing the track on an episode of The Simpsons, thereby cementing their place in pop culture forever.
I don't know if the album is deadly serious or not, but to me it's a fun one to listen to. Who doesn't enjoy cranking it up and belting out "I love you Mary Jannnne!" while imitating that distinctive B-Real whine??