On this day in 1991, B-Real, Sen Dog, and DJ Muggs, the trio the world knows as Cypress Hill, released their self-titled debut album through Columbia/Ruffhouse Records.
Fueled by DJ Muggs’ signature gritty, sample-heavy production, Cypress Hill carved out their own lane in West Coast Hip Hop. Representing their South Gate, California roots, the group brought the streets to life through a Latino lens, blending Spanglish, Cali street slang, and vivid storytelling that gave listeners a raw, unfiltered look into LA’s gang culture from a perspective that hadn’t been heard on a mainstream level before.
The project delivered anthems that still resonate today. Tracks like “The Phuncky Feel One” set the tone with its head-nodding bounce, “Hand On The Pump” brought a dark yet hypnotic edge, and the groundbreaking “How I Could Just Kill A Man” became a timeless street classic. The album went on to earn platinum certification from the RIAA and was later recognized as one of the 100 Best Rap Albums, cementing its place in Hip Hop history.
Cypress Hill’s debut didn’t just introduce a new group, it introduced a sound, a culture, and a blueprint that inspired generations. Salute to B-Real, Sen Dog, and DJ Muggs for delivering a West Coast masterpiece that still hits just as hard 34 years later.