South Gate, California veterans Cypress Hill are going full Spanish for their 11th studio LP. Consisting of B-Real and Sen Dog on the mic, as well as DJ Muggs on the boards and Eric Bobo on percussion, the quartet took the West Coast by storm over three decades ago. Their eponymous debut under Ruffhouse Records and Columbia Records set the standard with Muggs’ unique production style and the group’s pro-marijuana legalization themes. Other standouts in the group’s discography include Black Sunday, the personal favorite Cypress Hill III: Temples of Boom, the criminally underappreciated Cypress Hill IV, Elephants on Acid, and the Black Milk-produced Back in Black through MNRK Music Group. Considering they’ve crafted Spanish songs in the past, Dios Bendiga felt like a long time coming, though the involvement of the HYBE Corporation was a notable surprise.

“Wacha Trucha” featuring Alemán begins the project by discussing the importance of staying alert and preparing for what’s to come, whereas the standout single “Campeones” reunites the group with O.G. member Mellow Man Ace to discuss the new style the team is employing. “Rosas Verdes” continues this momentum by focusing on maintaining the greenest roses in their garden, while “Run” featuring Poe Leos serves as a cautionary tale for those who might cross their path.

Coyote teams up with B-Real and Sen Dog on “Sueños” to deliver one of the strongest guest appearances, asserting that their dreams are anything but small. “Estamos Listos” closes out the first half with a declaration of constant readiness. The second leg kicks off with “Voló” featuring Sick Jacken, which delves into themes of conflict and the street-level culture they grew up with, leading directly into “Saca La Bolsita” featuring Trueno, a track warning of the consequences of crossing the line.

“No Tengo Miedo,” also featuring Sick Jacken, finds the group reflecting on mortality with a sense of calm, while “Barrios Prendidos” featuring La Santa Grifa explores the dynamics of neighborhood tensions. “El Perro Y El Coyote” featuring Guapo serves as a plea to guardian angels, and the reggae-influenced closing track “Otra” rounds out Dios Bendiga with a signature ode to their love of cannabis.

It is somewhat surprising that Cypress Hill waited a quarter of a century after the Los Grandes Exitos En Español compilation to release a full Spanish-language debut. While the rapping remains sharp from both B-Real and Sen Dog, and the guest features largely deliver, the project is not without its flaws. My primary critique of Dios Bendiga lies in the production, which lacks the consistent punch found on Back in Black earlier this decade.

Score: 6/10