Pictured above: B-Real with Harvey Kubernik, by Richard Lewis
Multi-platinum hip hop legends Cypress Hill announce their highly anticipated new Spanish-language album Dios Bendiga slated for release on July 24th via HYBE Latin America. Marking their first ever full-length Spanish effort and their first complete project in over four years, they reveal a thrilling new chapter in a celebrated legacy that has spanned across cultures, languages and territories.
In celebration, they release their searing new single “Campeones” features the original member Mellow Man Ace alongside a companion music video. Produced by the multi-platinum, GRAMMY-nominated DJ Flict (Snoop Dogg, Lauryn Hill) who serves as sonic architect for the entire project, the track serves as a powerful reclamation of the group’s rightful place as leaders in the genre, blending their signature bilingual lyricism with the rich heritage that catapulted them as global forces.
In a two-week creative surge last November, Cypress Hill broke new ground by crafting their first-ever full-length Spanish-language album. Orchestrated by longtime percussionist Eric Bobo in his role as musical director, the sessions captured an electric momentum that saw pioneers B-Real and Sen Dog tap into their roots with unprecedented fluency. The production was further elevated by the precision of DJ Lord, whose visceral, live scratching provided the final layer of grit to a project that seamlessly bridges the group’s iconic West Coast legacy with their rich cultural heritage.
As one of the first Latin American groups to gain mainstream recognition in hip-hop, Dios Bendiga honors the group's Latino roots and serves as an anthem of strength and resistance, delivering a beacon of hope and call for unity in response to the state of the world today.
“‘Dios Bendiga’ is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a prayer for the culture. This album serves as a definitive reminder that our heritage isn’t a trend, but a divine legacy and a global future. We are living through a historic era for Latin rap, and with this project, we wanted to contribute a sound that honors our history and resilience. Dios Bendiga is our homecoming—a direct, Spanish-language connection to the roots and the people who keep us grounded."
- B-Real
“From day 1 of recording this album, something special happened. To make a record totally in Spanish and to just rely on our instincts was something challenging for us but we proved to ourselves that we can rise to any occasion. We also wanted to give back & fulfill our promise to our Latino fans. Getting back in touch with our Latin roots was always something we wanted to do. Now was the right time to do it.”
- Eric Bobo
Lined with a searing new sound and an essential message, Cypress Hill returns to their foundational roots as pillars of the Latino community and beyond, crafting a sonic manifesto that prioritizes communion while championing a new vanguard of talent, including California’s own Coyote and the soulful Poe Leos. The album will exist as a cultural touchstone bridging generations and communities, seeing the members collaborate with some of the most exciting artists in Latin music today across genres, such as Mexico’s Alemán and Argentina’s Trueno - both of whom credit Cypress Hill’s art and impact, having shaped their own sounds and trajectories. The first single from the album has already received large critical acclaim from outlets such as GQ Mexico, Billboard Latin, Rolling Stone En Español, COLORS, HYPEBEAST LATAM, VICE, Okayplayer and more.
Eric Bobo with Harvey Kubernik, by Richard Lewis
Three decades in, Cypress Hill remains one of the most influential rap groups of all time, with their music transcending generations, regions, and languages: Grammy-nominated, globally toured, and sampled across generations. The return of the LA icons proves to not only be timely but also essential. Most recently, the group wrapped an explosive run headlining the biggest festivals across Latin America as part of their highly anticipated return. All throughout March, the group delivered high-octane performances at beloved festivals Vive Latino in Mexico City, Lollapalooza in Brazil and Tecate Pa’l Norte in Monterrey, Mexico, commanding the biggest audiences of the night for each.
Last year was the release of Cypress Hill and the London Symphony Orchestra: Black Sunday Live at the Royal Albert Hall,the feature-length concert film.
Cypress Hill celebrated the highest of high honors of its storied career with Black Sunday Live at the Royal Albert Hall, a three-day theatrical event and live album both immortalizing the hip hop icons’ now legendary once in a lifetime collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra. It arrived at U.S. and Canadian theaters March 30, 31 and April 2 (U.S. only) via Mercury Studios in partnership with Iconic Events Releasing, Cypress Hill and the London Symphony Orchestra: Black Sunday Live at the Royal Albert Hall brings the unprecedented collision of the trio’s 1993 masterpiece with one of the world’s most renowned orchestral ensembles to the eyes and ears of music lovers everywhere.
A historic spectacle previously witnessed only by the thousands of Cypress devotees who packed Royal Albert Hall on July 10, 2024, the theatrical premiere and album release of Black Sunday Live at the Royal Albert Hall will allow the world at large to witness the intoxicating dark magic conjured when Cypress Hill and the 70-strong LSO bring this triple-platinum opus to life together.
I heard “Hits from the Bong” by Cypress Hill which was sampled from Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man,” and was intrigued by it.
In late March 2025 I was invited to their movie premiere in Culver City, CA. at the Kirk Douglas Theater. At the screening were friends of Cypress Hill, Chuck D and Flavor Flav of Public Enemy. It was a sonic delight hearing the core Cypress Hill repertoire coupled with the soaring arrangements of the LSO.
After the movie concluded, Chuck D then hosted a Q. and A. session with the group members: Lead Vocals: B Real, Sen Dog Music Director, Drums, Percussion & Timpani: Eric “Bobo” Correa and Band DJ: DJ Lord Turntables. Stand Up Bassist Christian Olde Wolbers was also at the film and delivered monumental bass lines powering the dynamic Cypress Hill sound in collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra and Conductor Troy Miller. Orchestral Score Arrangements for the project were done by Jack McManaman & Troy Miller.
The film and its accompanying album find B-Real, Sen Dog, Eric Bobo and co. in top form, performing nimbly atop monolithic arrangements running the gamut from ominous to sublime. The majestic classical embellishments to Black Sunday — as well as an assortment of cuts spanning the Cypress catalog — are the masterful work of conductor and arranger Troy Miller, who comments, "I’ve always been excited by the idea of merging genres, and to do it with the most prolific hip hop group of all time and the most exquisite symphony orchestra in the world was an honor! The band gave me free rein on the arrangements and we made something truly unique and mesmerizing - what a sublime collaboration!”
“It’s a trip to see that hip hop can be done in this form — and at a venue as prestigious as the Royal Albert Hall. It was truly an honor and a privilege, and now that experience can be shared.”—B-Real.
“It was amazing to take this journey with the people of London who supported Cypress Hill from day one." —Sen Dog
“LSO doesn’t collaborate with just anyone. So, it’s a big honor for them to want to do something with us.”—Eric Bobo
I’m a big fan of Eric Bobo’s drum and percussion work. He mentioned to me in a chat before the movie premiere that drummer Art Blakey told him “The drummer is the engine room.” Bobo, the son of the legendary percussionist Willie Bobo also revealed to me that one of his favorite albums of all-time that inspired his work is Band of Gypsys, the live album by Jimi Hendrix, Billy Cox and Buddy Miles.
What began as a joke on a 1996 episode of The Simpsons has now become a true multi-cultural milestone. Cypress Hill and the London Symphony Orchestra: Black Sunday Live at the Royal Albert Hall, the full-length live album, was released last June 6 via Mercury Studios.
Cypress Hill and the London Symphony Orchestra: Black Sunday Live at the Royal Albert Hall was issued on multiple physical and digital formats, with physical formats including DVD+2CD, Blu-ray+2CD, limited edition 2CD, 180g Half-Speed Mastered black vinyl, 180g Half-Speed Mastered Gold colored vinyl (limited edition D2C exclusive available for all territories), and limited-edition cassette.
“It’s an astonishing version of an already acclaimed album. B-Real and Sen Dog jam at the front of the stage, while DJ Lord rips away at his turntable and Bobo beats up on the drums. At the orchestra’s front is Troy Miller, who commands his musicians like an army… it’s a testimony to Cypress Hill’s ever-alluring sound.”— The Los Angeles Times
“A blistering, badass collaboration that’s no joke… CH’s reefer-drenched repertoire is not only elevated to a higher level by the LSO, it’s reworked, recharged and reimagined without losing its edge”— Los Angeles Magazine
The track list for Cypress Hill and the London Symphony Orchestra: Black Sunday Live at the Royal Albert Hall
I Wanna Get High
I Ain’t Goin’ Out Like That
Insane in the Brain
When the Shit Goes Down
Lick a Shot
Cock the Hammer
Interlude
3 Lil’ Putos
Legalize It
Hits From the Bong
What Go Around Come Around, Kid
A to the K
Hand on the Glock
Break ‘em off Some
Dr. Greenthumb
Illusions
Money
Cuban Necktie
How I Could Just Kill a Man
(Rock) Superstar
Band Introductions
(Harvey Kubernik is the author of 20 books, including 2009’s Canyon Of Dreams: The Magic And The Music Of Laurel Canyon, 2014’s Turn Up The Radio! Rock, Pop and Roll In Los Angeles 1956-1972, 2015's Every Body Knows: Leonard Cohen, 2016's Heart of Gold Neil Young and 2017's 1967: A Complete Rock Music History of the Summer of Love. Sterling/Barnes and Noble in 2018 published Harvey and Kenneth Kubernik’s The Story Of The Band: From Big Pink To The Last Waltz. In 2021 the duo wrote Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child for Sterling/Barnes and Noble.
Otherworld Cottage Industries in 2020 published Harvey’s Docs That Rock, Music That Matters. His Screen Gems: (Pop Music Documentaries and Rock ‘n’ Roll TV Scenes) was published in February 2026 by Bear ManorMedia. Kubernik is currently researching a book on the Beatles for a UK publisher with a summer 2027 publication date.
Harvey wrote the liner notes to CD re-releases of Carole King’s Tapestry, The Essential Carole King, Allen Ginsberg’s Kaddish, Elvis Presley The ’68 Comeback Special, The Ramones’ End of the Century and Big Brother & the Holding Company Captured Live at The Monterey International Pop Festival.
During 2006 Kubernik appeared at the special hearings by The Library of Congress in Hollywood, California, discussing archiving practices and audiotape preservation. In 2017 he lectured at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, in their Distinguished Speakers Series. Amidst 2023, Harvey spoke at The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles discussing director Martin Scorsese's The Last Waltz music documentary.
Kubernik was interviewed for the August 2025 documentary, The Sound of Protest being broadcast on the TVOD Apple TV broadcasting service. https://tv.apple.com › us › movie › the-sound-of-protest. Director Siobhan Logue’s endeavor features Smokey Robinson, Hozier, Skin (Skunk Anansie), Two-Tone's Jerry Dammers, Angélique Kidjo, Nina Simone, Holly Johnson, David McAlmont, Rhiannon Giddens, and more.
