Cypress Hill returns to the Borderland

Cypress Hill returns to the Borderland

Speaking Rock Entertainment Center was ground zero for Cypress Hill’s, Once Upon a Time in The Summer Tour 2026 last Sunday night here in El Paso, Texas.   During my tenure here in El Paso as a photojournalist, this does make my 4th time covering this epic band, twice here at Speaking Rock.   Got to interview the boys back in 2015 at the Neon Desert Music Festival, shot them after a biblical downpour at the El Paso Coliseum in 2018, not one soul left.  The past two times, as stated at Speaking Rock.  These shows are outdoors and the best part is, completely free.  So, you can imagine the turnout, yeah, 15k plus, it’s a sea of people.   In my opinion, Speaking Rock is the premier place to take in a show here in West Texas, top drawer all the way.   As always, a special thanks to Karl and Matt for their continuing efforts to bring top quality artists to our fair city, you guys are the best.   

Quick history on the band, conceived in 88 in LA, 11 releases in 35 years, most recent in this year, Dios Bendiga.   Current line-up, B-Real and Sen Dog doing the vocals, Eric Bobo on percussion and DJ Muggs on the Turntable.   The cool part is this line-up hasn’t changed over the years, which is super rare, this also tells me the chemistry is on point and has been since the beginning.   What can one say about these guys?   Movies, TV, toured the world countless times with the likes of the Chili Peppers, Ice Cube, Tool, STP, Rage Against the Machine and this list goes on and on.   Pioneers of West Coast Hip Hop / Gangster Rap, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and let’s not forget the 20 million albums sold worldwide.  Doesn’t get any more real than this, so, let’s go to work.

The boys hit the stage at 9 sharp and cut right into, How Could I Just Kill a Man and the place went ballistic, followed by Hand on the Pump and When the Shit Goes Down.   It was if someone threw gas on a fire, that sea of bodies looked like waves at the beach, fists in the air, heads banging and nonstop dancing.   Nothing warms my heart more than people genuinely having the time of their lives and that certainly was the case here.  Nothing by friendly vibes and what would a Cypress Hill show be without the acute aroma of marijuana in the air, it’s that type of show.    It was hit after hit such as Insane in the Brain, How Could I Just Kill a Man, Hits from the Bong and of course Jump Around.    It was the perfect evening, a classic artist, a warm desert night and an unforgettable event that continues to remind us why Hip Hop endures the test of time.   Cypress Hill is full of an incredible energy that flows, captivating audiences worldwide and truth be told after what I witnessed this past weekend, I see no signs of B-Real and Sen Dog slowing down and that’s a good thing.   In closing, playful, engaging and genuine, Cypress Hill is the real deal, take my word for it.   Thank you and of course, we’ll see you at the next rock show.

Story and Photography by Tim Schumann

Set List-

How Could I Just Kill a Man

Hand on the Pump

When the Shit Goes Down

Real Estate

Latin Lingo

Latin Thugs

Tequila Sunrise

Lowrider

A to the K

Illusions

Boom Biddy Bye Bye

Throw Your Set in the Air

Yo Quiero Fumar / Cisco Kid / 1st Gear, 2nd Gear / Dr. Greenthumb / Hits from the Bong

Cock the Hammer

Wacha Trucha

I Ain’t Going Out Like That

Real Thing

Bombtrack

Can’t Get the Best of Me

Superstar

Insane in the Brain

Jump Around