CYPRESS HILL - Rise Up | Review By: Conan Milne


Release Date: April 20, 2010

Label: Priority / EMI

Rating: 4/5

Dub Quotable: "This set offers a rallying, unapologetic Cypress Hill, indulging in familiar subject matter while simultaneously continuing to challenge their existing sound."

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Hip-Hop is widely perceived as a genre created by and catering to the relatively youthful. However, some of the genres biggest figures have stressed how important it is that this perception is altered. Earlier this year, Jay-Z was quoted as saying that Hip-Hop, "Can't be a young mans game - it has to be a genre of music." This is particularly true when the quality of some acts music more than warrants their sustained careers. On their eighth album Rise Up, West Coast veterans Cypress Hill stand defiant, prepared to battle any newcomers who would dare to question their legacy.

Opening with the urgent, confrontational "It Ain't Nothin'," B-Real sounds surprisingly relaxed over his brash production. Over rousing strings and procession drums that follow like surrounding gunfire, he scoffs at competitors. "Bitches like you always spitting the same rhymes," he sighs, "We putting you to shame / You never went through the same grind." Sen Dog is similarly dismissive, warning, "If you a snake or a fake, I'ma send you to your grave." However, while the Hill are wary of certain modern MCs, they don't exclude all. The promising Young De offers a chorus that could be considered either motivational or wilting, as he barks, "You got to get your straps up / You got to get your stash up."

More obviously encouraging is the relentless "Get It Anyway." Jim Jonsin's rumbling bass and soaring synthesizers are the foundation for an effective ode to pursuing your dreams. "I can beat the system / Come on and say it with me," B-Real chants, "Show me some optimism / We can take over the city!" Such statements may sound a little cliched - and Sen Dog isn't above similarly trite remarks when he announces that he stays "pedal to the metal" - but the final result works. B-Real sounds genuinely inspiring when he repeats, "Regardless what a hater say, I'ma get it anyway." It's obvious that they are encouraging others to follow their lead, however the group aren't prepared to force anyone. Tellingly, B-Real offers, "You can leave if you wanna / Nothing can stop you / If that's your type of persona."

The obligatory smoke break comes in the form of the unimaginatively titled "Pass The Dutch." Look beyond the song title, though, and listeners will find another one of the groups memorable dedications to their favourite pastime. DJ Khalil and established Hill producer DJ Muggs collaborate to offer a rich instrumental punctuated by elevated wails and heaving drums. Adopting an energetic flow, B-Real stresses the rules of smoking with his team. A subject close to his heart, he passionately warns that the hash should only be passed to the left, and restricted to the immediate cypher. A typically blunted Evidence, meanwhile, draws a hazy chuckle as he slowly realizes, "I'm center-stage high."

It's difficult to think of a Hip-Hop album as committed to its titles implications as Rise Up. This set offers a rallying, unapologetic Cypress Hill, indulging in familiar subject matter ("K.U.S.H.") while simultaneously continuing to challenge their existing sound. A diverse range of guests, ranging from Pitbull to Rage Against The Machine's Tom Morello, do nothing to hamper the albums cohesion. In fact, in their own way each guest adds to the consistently proud tone. A fine release from a group that is older yet undoubtedly wiser, Rise Up only benefits an already illustrious legacy.

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The views expressed here are those of the authors and not
necessarily those of Dubcnn as an organisation.
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Related Media:

Cypress Hill - It Ain't Nothin' Feat. Young De (Video)



Album Track Listing:

01) It Ain't Nothin' (feat. Young De) (Prod by B-Real for Audio Hustlaz)
02) Light It Up (Prod by Pete Rock for Chocolate Boy Wonda Productions)
03) Rise Up (feat. Tom Morello) (Prod by: Tom Morello & B-Real for Audio Hustlaz)
04) Get It Anyway (Prod by: Jim Jonsin)
05) Pass The Dutch (feat. Evidence and Alchemist) (Prod by: DjMuggs & DJ Khalil for Soul Assassins)
06) Bang Bang (Prod by: B-Real for Audio Hustlaz)
07) K.U.S.H (Prod by: Sick Jacken and B-Real for Audio Hustlaz)
08) Get 'Em Up (Prod by: B-Real for Audio Hustlaz)
09) Carry Me Away (feat. Mike Shinoda) (Prod by: Mike Shinoda)
10) Trouble Seeker (feat. Daron Malakian) (Prod by: Daron Malakian)
11) Day Destroys the Night (feat. Everlast) (Prod by: DJ Muggs & DJ Khalil for Soul Assassins)
12) I Unlimited (Prod by: B-Real for Audio Hustlaz)
13) Armed & Dangerous (Prod by: Jake One and B-Real for Audio Hustlaz)
14) Shut 'Em Down (feat. Tom Morello) (Prod by: Tom Morello and B-Real for Audio Hustlaz)
15) Armada Latina (feat. Marc Anthony and Pitbull) (Prod by: Jim Jonsin)


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