Album Details

• Artist: Cypress Hill
• EP:
Cypress X Rusko
• Label: V2 Records
• Year of Release: 2012
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: carlita on 2012-06-18

Media

When I heard that Cypress Hill, one of my favorite rap groups since the release of their self-titled debut in 1991, was releasing an electronic dubstep/hip-hop EP, Cypress X Rusko, along with British DJ and producer Rusko, I, like seemingly several long-time fans, had some reservations.  It seemed like lines were drawn and some folks embraced this new direction and others trashed it with some calling it "How I Could Just Skrill A Man". If the EP was that polarizing which B-Real seemed to imply it was made to do, I had to listen.

Electronic or metallic sounds on their tracks is not really that new when you consider previous hits that I've heard them perform several times (meeting them at Rock the Bells '11),  like "How I Could Just Kill A Man", "Hand on the Pump" and "Insane in the Brain". Discovering Rusko through B-Real's web show, Cypress uses Rusko beats to briefly express further affection and homage to their favorite topics, firearms and their long-time kush five-leafed amigo on "Roll It, Light It", "Medicated" and the highlight, "Can't Keep Me Down" featuring Damian Marley. Whether or not folks want to admit it, there is a pop dubstep explosion occurring so why not experiment to "be the life of the party"?

Although I considered myself an old school hip-hop purist, this EP made me "let go". It grew on me the more times I played it because the essence of what makes Cypress Hill who they are is there regardless of who they collabo with. No need to fear, "hits from the bong" and "Dr. Greenthumb" still exist. Cypress Hill continues to school the newbies in the game, one blunt at a time.

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