January 15, 2010 - Legendary hip-hop/rock group CYPRESS HILL have signed an exclusive worldwide deal with Priority/EMI and are gearing up for the April 6th release of RISE UP, their first new studio album in six years. The deal is the first artist signing by Priority Records Creative Chairman Snoop Dogg.

"My role as Creative Chairman of Priority Records has put me in the driver's seat to help revive the most important west coast hip hop label," says Snoop. "As such, I'm excited to announce my first signing as Cypress Hill. Cypress Hill is undeniably one of the most important hip hop groups in music history, not only are they incredibly talented and the first Latino hip hop group to go platinum, they are also from the west coast-so this signing is the perfect marriage."

"We're very excited to be part of the Priority Records family," says B-Real. "It's a label with a rich history, and together with Snoop we're going to add to its legacy."

Last night, Cypress Hill and Snoop performed on the TBS late night show, "Lopez Tonight." Snoop kicked things off with current single "I Wanna Rock" off his new album, Malice in Wonderland, then Cypress Hill took the stage for an electrifying rendition of their blockbuster hit "Insane In The Brain."

RISE UP's lead single is its incendiary title track, which features Rage Against The Machine/Street Sweeper Social Club's Tom Morello, who co-wrote and co-produced the song. The famed guitarist also appears on a second track titled "Shut 'Em Down."

"It was great to work with my longtime friends and comrades Cypress Hill on these two monster rock tracks," says Morello. "Cypress are back with a vengeance!"

The follow-up to 2004's Till Death Do Us Part, RISE UP was recorded over the course of the past three years at B-Real's studio, The Temple, in Los Angeles. "Making this record was so much fun," says Sen Dog. "It felt like the first record we ever made together. We recorded whatever we wanted to with no musical boundaries. And having the chance to work with one of my favorite guitar players of all time, Tom Morello, was amazing. I always knew we would make some kickass music together."

"We took a little break after the last record to work on individual projects," adds B-Real. "Both Sen Dog and I wanted to put out our own solo records, which we had been working on for some time. And though we were doing other things, we each kept ideas in mind for Cypress Hill and would go into the studio periodically to record. It was great to work at our own pace and without a deadline hanging over us. We'd get together at my studio and record whenever we felt that burst of creativity. It was an amazing way to work and resulted in what I think is our best record yet."