Legendary, West Coast Hip-Hop icons, Cypress Hill have received one of the biggest honors of their careers. After 30 years of being in the industry, the “Insane in the Membrane,” crew are set to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of fame. They will be the first Latino Hip-Hop group to have the recognition bestowed on them (Sen Dog, DJ Muggs, B-Real, and Eric Bobo are of Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Mexican descent).
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will honor Cypress Hill with the 2,660th star on the famous sidewalk.
“We are proud to honor the first Latino American hip-hop recording group,” said Ana Martinez, producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “They have been successful as a group for three decades and we know they will continue their success for many years to come.”
The unveiling will take place on Thursday, April 18 in front of Green Leaf Restaurant at Eastown. George Lopez and Xzibit will help with the induction ceremony.
Cypress Hill was the first Latino American hip hop recording group to have platinum and multi-platinum albums, selling over 20 million albums worldwide. They are considered to be among the main progenitors of West Coast rap and hip hop in the early 1990s, being critically acclaimed for their first four albums. They are known for their classic singles “How I Could Just Kill a Man,” “I Ain’t Goin’ Out Like That,” “Throw Your Set in the Air,” “Rap Superstar,” and many more,
The band has also advocated for medical and recreational use of cannabis in the United States.
The Grammy-nominated group, originally from Southern California, recently released their ninth studio album, “Elephants on Acid.”
Compton-bred rapper YG — “Keenon Daequan Ray muthafuckin’ Jackson” as his mom eloquently refers to him on the intro to the album we’re about to talk about — is one of the leaders in today’s roster of young Hip-Hop kings, right there along with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Meek Mill and the immensely-missed Mac Miller. While Cole is a representative of the south by way of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Meek a proud representation of Philly through and through, Mac giving Pittsburgh its well-deserved props and K. Dot telling the story of living in Compton from a deeply introspective and oftentimes poetic point of view, YG found a way to rep the West Coast from its original G-funk gangsta rap roots from the very beginning of his career.
His platinum-selling debut album, My Krazy Life, turns five years old today (March 18), and is officially available as a 2LP black vinyl by way of Urban Legends. It’s one of those records that will look good plastered on your wall of other preserved rap records, or for a few good spins if you actually own a player to scratch it on. Either way, there’s no arguing that My Krazy Life is a modern day classic. Let us break down why real quick.
Before you go cop the record and add it to your collection, read on to see why YG’s My Krazy Life was so important to the climate of Hip-Hop in 2014 and how it’s shaped the rap game up to this day:
The Album Topped Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Albums & Rap Albums Charts, While Also Debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200
The week of April 5, 2014, My Krazy Life was held out from the top spot by one astronomical album: the soundtrack for Disney’s Frozen. Granted, nobody was stopping the Frozen train, so we definitely give YG cred where it’s due. However, he was able to top the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and the Top Rap Albums, the latter where it finished at #9 on the year-end list. Overall, it was one of the most successful rap releases of 2014.
The Guest Features Were Phenomenal
Not only was he able to get rap vet Jeezy on the hit lead single, as well as Lil Wayne on the remix, YG also found a way to use My Krazy Life as an opportunity to prove that there was definitely a unity within his rap class. ScHoolboy Q and Jay Rock on “I Just Wanna Party,” Tory Lanez on “Me & My Bitch,” Nicki Minaj on the aforementioned lead single remix as well, Drake on “Who Do You Love?” and Kendrick Lamar on the classic deep cut “Really Be (Smokin N Drinkin)” were all examples of that. While friendly competition is always in the atmosphere, these MCs supported and rocked with each other heavy.
The Album Helped Put DJ Mustard on the Map
Granted, DJ Mustard had been producing hits as far back as 2011 with Tyga’s top 10 banger “Rack City,” but his working relationship with YG can’t be compared to any rap/producer duo in the game. While they went through a brief beef that has thankfully been squashed, there’s no denying the classic songs they were able to create as a unit on My Krazy Life. We saw them recreate the magic recently on “Big Bank” off last year’s Stay Dangerous, proving that the YG/Mustard union is a much-needed force in Hip-Hop for the majority of us that love a good G-Funk-laced club banger.
My Krazy Life Proved YG Could Represent the West Coast As a Solo Force
Having a tight rap crew to fall back on definitely helps elevate you up the ranks in Hip-Hop, which is why we give YG even more cred for being able to navigate up the charts dolo. While his contemporaries had groups that range from TDE and A$AP Mo to Dreamville and even Young Money, YG held things down on his own under his 4Hunnid imprint, which operates as a record label and fashion brand alike. The leader of his own pack, for sure.
The Universal Praise of “My Nigga”
As controversial as the title is, nobody can deny the takeover of the rap game that “My Nigga” had on Hip-Hop and music in general. A certified quadruple platinum hit, the song also referred to as “My Hitta” made it to the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 (#19 peak position) and garnered YG two BET Hip Hop Awards, including “Best Collabo, Duo or Group” alongside Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan plus recognition for the coveted “Track of the Year” that was awarded to DJ Mustard for production. Even today, drop that track and watch the room go crazy.
Happy five years to My Krazy Life by YG! Shop the new 2LP vinyl release right now over on Urban Legends, and let us know your favorite tracks off the project over on our Facebook and Twitter.
After building buzzworthy attention with breakout collaborations from legends Waka Flocka Flame, Lil Wayne, E-40, Jeezy, Compton recording artist Billionaire Buck returns with a new campaign leading up to his new project in the release of his new video, titled, “Hood Scratch”.
Hitting the beach on the new visual, Mr. Cha Cha Ching stunts around in the latest designer drip. Discussing his consistent large deposits, luxurious financial transactions, while reminding the streets of his close mob ties are nothing to play with. Boasting and bragging his own custom brand of Hip-Hop, Billionaire Buck brings a new style to the West Coast that’s all about looking the flyest and prepared for anything.
Best known for his popular cuts, “Karma”, “Rich Before I Die”, and “Around Da Way”, since arriving on the scene in the early part of the decade, Billionaire Buck has always shined as being known to always stay ahead of the rest when it comes to living the lavish and foreign lifestyle. With his lyrics matching his expensive taste, he has been identified as Compton’s best-kept secret with ties to many of Compton’s current superstars.
A follow-up to his notable mention EP, The Black Jew. The new single is a lead up to Buck’s much-hyped upcoming EP, Billions. Based on Buck’s past release, the forthcoming project is slated to be filled with surprises. More news on the 2019 release as it becomes available.
“Hood Scratch” is available now on all major streaming platforms via BlockBallin Entertainment.
