A recent surge of musical documentaries as of late has included the likes of Spike Jonze helming “Beastie Boys Story” and Questlove making his directorial debut with “Summer of Soul (Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)”(a film that recently earned the musician an Academy Award for Best Documentary.) Entering this flourishing subgenre of the documentary is “Cypress Hill: Insane in the Brain” through Showtime.
The iconic Californian and multi-platinum hip-hop group Cypress Hill —trailblazers in their Hispanic/Latinx/Blacktino roots and how they incorporated those cultures into their sound—will undoubtedly have a story to tell. It’s a good time to do it too. Just released on March 18th was “Back in Black,” their tenth studio album. Additionally, an interview about the new record from Okayplayer with group member Sen Dog revealed that their eleventh album would be their last. With the final farewell of the group looming, viewers and fans can look back to where it all began.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Told through the intimate lens of photographer and director Estevan Oriol (“LA Originals”), “Cypress Hill: Insane in the Brain” is a smoke-filled journey across the lives and careers of the groundbreaking, genre-defying Hip Hop group, Cypress Hill. Their unique sound, influenced by their Latin roots and West Coast upbringing, was built on a movement rooted in true authenticity: from cultivating the flower to smoking it, to rapping about it, their influence is forever burned into the musical landscape of Hip Hop as they continue to stay relevant after 30 years. Using a treasure trove of never-before-seen archival footage captured by Oriol himself, as well as images of band members B Real, DJ Muggs, Sen Dog, and Eric “Bobo” Correa, “Cypress Hill: Insane in the Brain” tells the story of a brotherhood that has withstood the test of time to create a truly original, everlasting legacy.
Produced by Estevan Oriol and Peter J. Scalettar, and from executive producers Tom Mackay, Richard Story, Sacha Jenkins, Peter Bittenbender, and Deb Klein, “Cypress Hill: Insane in the Brain” premieres on Showtime on April 20th. Watch the new trailer below.