They really get going with HAND ON THE PUMP and STONED IS THE WAY OF THE WALK. Then they take off on LATIN LINGO and TRES EQUIS. These Spanglish and Spanish raps are just so unique...I listen to these songs over and over.

This is a classic album and a must have for any rap fan. Go out and get your hit now!


Post N.W.A. 'Cop Killing' raps from Cuban MCs   August 28, 2000
 10 out of 19 found this review helpful

Cypress Hill is fronted by one of the most distinctive nasals in rap: B-Real--whose delivery is key to their success. He sounds a lot like Mike Tyson.

Their version of 'Gangsta Rap' is unique because it comes from a Latino angle. The whole thing might be called VATOPLOXTATION as opposed to the BLACKPLOXTATION of most rap.

They claim to be EXTREMELY HARDCORE, which means they use A LOT OF THREATS; and profane talk about gang killings and cop killings and sex and dope is prevalent, though not necessarily in that order. However, on their own vulgar level they are COMPLETE MASTERS; and they certainly don't let things get too disgustingly idiotic. They have a much better feel for the musical and lyrical balance of all things 'GANGSTA' than someone like 'the Notorious Big,' 'DMX,' 'Eminem,' or any of a hundred run-of-the-mill pandering rap acts.

All in all, a deeply felt and powerfully delivered (as far as rap recrods go) collection of raps which works sort of like a street level "Cheech and Chong" meeting "Shaft,""Goodfellas" and Edward James Olmos' "American Me."


One who knows   June 29, 2005
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

I can't believe anyone in their right mind would give this album anything less than 5 stars.

1) If you are a HIP HOP fan(not rock fan who ALSO likes "rap")
2) If you were actually alive when this came out(or at least old enough to ride a bike)
3) If you are an American(props to Euros keeping Hip Hop alive, but you guys have different taste)
4) And finally if you have actually listened to this album start to finish, 2 or 3 times...

...THEN YOU KNOW THAT THIS IS CYPRESS HILL'S BEST ALBUM EVER. STRATIGHT UP PRE-LOLAPALOOZA/MTV/CROSSOVER HIP HOP DOPENESS. Peace to you heads who were around when this joint dropped.


a classic!   May 28, 2000
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

if you know anything about treur hip hop,then you know that this cd is one of the best.when cypress hill came out in 91,they brought a very different sound to the hip hop arena and soon became one of the best without getting that much air play.on there first album they create memorable songs like "hand on the pump" and "how could i just kill a man".they also throw in some funky kind of beats that work.dj muggs is a mastewr at creating beats and he shows it in this first album of the hill.must have!


A true gangster classic   January 16, 1999
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

Back when Cypress Hill first started rapping, they utilized beats and lyrics in a way that only they could. But, after they started focusing on only the "weed" aspect of their music, they dropped off considerably. I don't recommend any of their newer albums, but this album is in a class all it's own. Definitely a must-own for any rap fan.