Smif-N-Wessun
Encyclopedia
Smif-n-Wessun is a hip hop
duo consisting of members Tek
(Tekomin Williams) and Steele
(Darrell Yates). Smif-n-Wessun comprise two-fifths of the Brownsville, Brooklyn
supergroup Boot Camp Clik
, with Buckshot
, Heltah Skeltah
and O.G.C.
Both members are known for their Jamaican Patois during their raps, which was more evident during the earlier stages of their career.
's 1993 album Enta da Stage
, appearing on the tracks "Black Smif-n-Wessun" and "U Da Man". They released their first single "Bucktown" b/w "Let's Git It On" in early 1994. "Bucktown" became an underground smash, and gave the group considerable hype for their debut album, Dah Shinin'
, released in January 1995. The album debuted in the top 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
chart, and went on to sell over 300,000 copies in the United States. Along with "Bucktown", the album featured the singles "Wrekonize" b/w "Sound Bwoy Bureill" and "Wontime" b/w "Stand Strong". Dah Shinin became an influential album in the hardcore New York
hip hop
scene of the mid-1990s, and is considered a rap classic. Soon after the release of their debut, Smif-n-Wessun were sued with a cease and desist
order over their group name by the Smith & Wesson
firearms company. To avoid the lawsuit, they decided to change their name to the Cocoa Brovaz in 1996.
In 1996, Smif N Wessun and The Bootcamp Clik flew to L.A. to record an album with Death Row Records artist, 2Pac. The album was titled "One Nation". 2Pac planned to release it with two discs, one titled "WestCoast" and the other titled "EastCoast".Fat Joe was supposed to fly to L.A. but never turned up. Snoop Dogg, Outlawz and others were also going to feature on the album
In 1997, the Cocoa B'z joined up with the entire Boot Camp Clik for their first group album For the People
. The album was seen as a disappointment, and led to the eventual decline of the Camp's popularity. In early 1998, they dropped their second album The Rude Awakening
. The release was met with mixed reviews and moderate sales. The album's lead single, the Raekwon
-assisted "Black Trump", was not able to reach any Billboard charts. In 1999, the Clik was dropped from Priority Records
, leaving the duo temporarily unsigned. Soon after, the Cocoa Brovaz released an underground single, "Super Brooklyn", which heavily sampled
from Super Mario Bros.
Because of the illegal use of the sample, the duo was not able to officially release the track, but the single landed them a deal with leading underground rap label Rawkus Records
.
They appeared on a number of compilation albums over the next few years, including Soundbombing 2
, Lyricist Lounge 2
, Game Over and Soundbombing III. They were never able to release the album they recorded for Rawkus in 2002, though it has circulated as a bootleg. They rejoined Duck Down Records
for the release of the Boot Camp Clik's second group album The Chosen Few in the same year. In September 2005, they returned as Smif-n-Wessun for the album Smif 'n' Wessun: Reloaded. The album received good reviews, and sold around 35,000-40,000 copies in the United States. In 2006, the Boot Camp Clik released their third group album, The Last Stand
, to strong reviews and Smif-n-Wessun appeared on a special edition of Ich
, the second album of the German rapper Sido
.
Smif-n-Wessun's fourth album, Smif-N-Wessun: The Album
, was released on October 23, 2007. The album is produced by Ken Ring
, Tommy Tee
and more, and features appearances from Rock
of Heltah Skeltah
, Joell Ortiz
and Norwegian supergroup the Loudmouf Choir.
In 2008 they participated as guests in one track on one of the most skilled Czech hip-hop band PIO SQUAD on their album called Interview. There are plans for a new Smif-n-Wessun album to be released in 2009. The duo has confirmed that legendary producer Pete Rock will be producing a majority, if not all of the album. The album will be called 'Monumental' and is to feature fellow Boot Camp Click members & Pete Rock
himself on June 28, 2011. The album's guests include Raekwon
, Bun B
, Styles P
, Heltah Skeltah
, Top Dogg, Buckshot from Boot Camp Click, Memphis Bleek
, Freeway, Black Rob
& Hurricane G
.
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
duo consisting of members Tek
Tek (rapper)
El-Amin after converting to Islam better known by his stage name Tek, is an American rapper, famous as a member of the duo Smif-N-Wessun, and the Hip Hop collective Boot Camp Clik. Tek debuted on Black Moon's 1993 album Enta Da Stage with his rhyming partner Steele...
(Tekomin Williams) and Steele
Steele (rapper)
Steele is an American rapper, famous as half of the underground rap duo Smif-N-Wessun, and as a member of Hip Hop supergroup Boot Camp Clik. Steele and Smif-N-Wessun partner Tek made their debut on Black Moon's classic 1993 album Enta Da Stage on the tracks "Black Smif-N-Wessun" and "U Da Man"...
(Darrell Yates). Smif-n-Wessun comprise two-fifths of the Brownsville, Brooklyn
Brownsville, Brooklyn
Brownsville is a residential neighborhood located in eastern Brooklyn, New York City.The total land area is one square mile, and the ZIP code for the neighborhood is 11212....
supergroup Boot Camp Clik
Boot Camp Clik
Boot Camp Clik is an American hip hop supergroup from Brooklyn, New York, which is composed of Buckshot , Smif-N-Wessun, also known as Cocoa Brovaz , Heltah Skeltah and O.G.C....
, with Buckshot
Buckshot (rapper)
Buckshot is an underground rapper, famous as the leader of Hip Hop supergroup Boot Camp Clik, and the group Black Moon. He has released one solo album, two with producer 9th Wonder, four albums with Black Moon and four albums with the Boot Camp Clik.- Biography :Born and raised in Brooklyn...
, Heltah Skeltah
Heltah Skeltah
Heltah Skeltah is a hip hop duo consisting of members Rock and Ruck . The two are members of New York supergroup Boot Camp Clik, along with Buckshot, Smif-N-Wessun and O.G.C....
and O.G.C.
O.G.C.
O.G.C. is a Hip Hop group consisting of members Jack McNair , Barret Powell , and Dashawn Jamal Yates O.G.C. (Originoo Gunn Clappaz) is a Hip Hop group consisting of members Jack McNair (aka Starang Wondah) (Gunn Clappa Numba One, also known as Big Will, Hurricane Starang and Strang Da Beast...
Both members are known for their Jamaican Patois during their raps, which was more evident during the earlier stages of their career.
History
The duo debuted on Black MoonBlack Moon (band)
Black Moon is an American hip hop group, consisting of members Buckshot, 5 ft and DJ Evil Dee . The group were most notable for their debut album Enta da Stage, and their affiliation with the Boot Camp Clik.-Biography:...
's 1993 album Enta da Stage
Enta Da Stage
Enta da Stage is the debut album of American East Coast hip hop group Black Moon, released on October 19, 1993 through Nervous Records. The album was produced by DJ Evil Dee and Mr. Walt of Da Beatminerz...
, appearing on the tracks "Black Smif-n-Wessun" and "U Da Man". They released their first single "Bucktown" b/w "Let's Git It On" in early 1994. "Bucktown" became an underground smash, and gave the group considerable hype for their debut album, Dah Shinin'
Dah Shinin'
Dah Shinin' is the debut album from Brooklyn Hip Hop duo Smif-N-Wessun. Members Tek and Steele made their debut previously on Black Moon's classic 1993 album Enta Da Stage. Dah Shinin has become one of the most heralded New York Hip Hop albums from the mid-'90s, famous for its hardcore lyrical...
, released in January 1995. The album debuted in the top 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
chart, and went on to sell over 300,000 copies in the United States. Along with "Bucktown", the album featured the singles "Wrekonize" b/w "Sound Bwoy Bureill" and "Wontime" b/w "Stand Strong". Dah Shinin became an influential album in the hardcore New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
scene of the mid-1990s, and is considered a rap classic. Soon after the release of their debut, Smif-n-Wessun were sued with a cease and desist
Cease and desist
A cease and desist is an order or request to halt an activity and not to take it up again later or else face legal action. The recipient of the cease-and-desist may be an individual or an organization....
order over their group name by the Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson is the largest manufacturer of handguns in the United States. The corporate headquarters is in Springfield, Massachusetts. Founded in 1852, Smith & Wesson's pistols and revolvers have become standard issue to police and armed forces throughout the world...
firearms company. To avoid the lawsuit, they decided to change their name to the Cocoa Brovaz in 1996.
In 1996, Smif N Wessun and The Bootcamp Clik flew to L.A. to record an album with Death Row Records artist, 2Pac. The album was titled "One Nation". 2Pac planned to release it with two discs, one titled "WestCoast" and the other titled "EastCoast".Fat Joe was supposed to fly to L.A. but never turned up. Snoop Dogg, Outlawz and others were also going to feature on the album
In 1997, the Cocoa B'z joined up with the entire Boot Camp Clik for their first group album For the People
For the People
For The People is the debut album from Hip Hop collective Boot Camp Clik, consisting of Buckshot from Black Moon, Cocoa Brovaz, formerly known as Smif-N-Wessun, Heltah Skeltah and O.G.C. The crew officially organized in 1995, with all eight members appearing on the song "Cession At Da Doghillee"...
. The album was seen as a disappointment, and led to the eventual decline of the Camp's popularity. In early 1998, they dropped their second album The Rude Awakening
The Rude Awakening
The Rude Awakening is the second album from rappers Tek and Steele, their first under the name Cocoa Brovaz. The duo was forced to drop their original name, Smif-N-Wessun, after they were sued by the Smith & Wesson firearms company. The album received moderate reviews and sales. The lead single...
. The release was met with mixed reviews and moderate sales. The album's lead single, the Raekwon
Raekwon
Corey Woods , better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded four solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with...
-assisted "Black Trump", was not able to reach any Billboard charts. In 1999, the Clik was dropped from Priority Records
Priority Records
Priority Records is an American record label, owned and operated by EMI, which has made a name for itself dealing primarily in hip hop, pop and world...
, leaving the duo temporarily unsigned. Soon after, the Cocoa Brovaz released an underground single, "Super Brooklyn", which heavily sampled
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
from Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros.
is a 1985 platform video game developed by Nintendo, published for the Nintendo Entertainment System as a sequel to the 1983 game Mario Bros. In Super Mario Bros., the player controls Mario as he travels through the Mushroom Kingdom in order to rescue Princess Toadstool from the antagonist...
Because of the illegal use of the sample, the duo was not able to officially release the track, but the single landed them a deal with leading underground rap label Rawkus Records
Rawkus Records
Rawkus Records is an American hip-hop record label known for jump-starting the careers of both Mos Def and Talib Kweli. Rawkus started in 1996 with initial releases ranging from hip-hop to drum and bass...
.
They appeared on a number of compilation albums over the next few years, including Soundbombing 2
Soundbombing 2
Soundbombing II is the second installment in Rawkus Records Soundbombing series, and was possibly the most successful and acclaimed release out of all the Rawkus compilations. Soundbombing 2 fuses up-and-coming MC's with established rappers, and was able to deliver an underground Hip Hop sound to a...
, Lyricist Lounge 2
Lyricist Lounge 2
Lyricist Lounge 2 is the second installment in Rawkus Records Lyricist Lounge album series. The release was one of Rawkus' most commercially successful releases, featuring the hit crossover singles, "Oh No" and "Get Up", the former charting on the Billboard Hot 100...
, Game Over and Soundbombing III. They were never able to release the album they recorded for Rawkus in 2002, though it has circulated as a bootleg. They rejoined Duck Down Records
Duck Down Records
Duck Down Music Inc is a New York City based record label, talent management, music-marketing, and consulting company founded by Drew "Dru-Ha" Friedman and Kenyatta "Buckshot" Blake in 1995. In Duck Down's 16 year existence, the Company has released over 40 Albums and sold more than 3 million...
for the release of the Boot Camp Clik's second group album The Chosen Few in the same year. In September 2005, they returned as Smif-n-Wessun for the album Smif 'n' Wessun: Reloaded. The album received good reviews, and sold around 35,000-40,000 copies in the United States. In 2006, the Boot Camp Clik released their third group album, The Last Stand
The Last Stand
The Last Stand is the third group album from Hip Hop collective Boot Camp Clik, released on July 18, 2006. The group consists of Black Moon's Buckshot, Smif-N-Wessun's Tek and Steele, Heltah Skeltah's Rock and Sean Price, and O.G.C.'s Starang Wondah, Louieville Sluggah and Top Dog. The album marks...
, to strong reviews and Smif-n-Wessun appeared on a special edition of Ich
Ich (album)
Ich is the second album by Sido. After two weeks of release , it reached gold status. The album climbed to number 4 in the albums chart.- Standart Edition :- Premium Edition :Bonus...
, the second album of the German rapper Sido
Sido
Sido may refer to:* Sido , stage name of Paul Würdig, a German rapper* Sido , a South Korean island*Sido, Mali* Sidoh , the final boss monster of the NES and Game Boy Color video game, Dragon Warrior II...
.
Smif-n-Wessun's fourth album, Smif-N-Wessun: The Album
Smif-n-Wessun: The Album
Smif-n-Wessun: The Album is the fourth album by Hip hop duo Smif-n-Wessun, of the supergroup Boot Camp Clik, released on October 23 through Duck Down Records. The album comes two years after the duo's last effort, 2005's Smif 'n' Wessun: Reloaded. The Album features guest appearances from Rock of...
, was released on October 23, 2007. The album is produced by Ken Ring
Ken (artist)
-Career:Ken Kiprono Ring is a Swedish rap artist of Kenyan descent. He was born in Hässelby, a suburb west of Stockholm, Sweden. He got his breakthrough with the song "Mamma", which is about how his mother got sick and died of cancer when he was 13. He released his first studio album "Vägen...
, Tommy Tee
Tommy Tee
Tommy Flaaten , best known by his stage name Tommy Tee, is a Norwegian record producer, rapper, broadcaster, record executive, concert promoter and magazine publisher. He is known as the godfather of Norwegian hip hop. Tee owns the label Tee Productions, which is located in Oslo, Norway and is...
and more, and features appearances from Rock
Rock (rapper)
Jamal Bush, better known by his stage name Tha Rockness Monstah, or in short Rock, is an American rapper, famous as a member of hip hop collective Boot Camp Clik and the duo Heltah Skeltah along with Ruck. He is known for his deep, grimy voice and having a sophisticated and rugged flow...
of Heltah Skeltah
Heltah Skeltah
Heltah Skeltah is a hip hop duo consisting of members Rock and Ruck . The two are members of New York supergroup Boot Camp Clik, along with Buckshot, Smif-N-Wessun and O.G.C....
, Joell Ortiz
Joell Ortiz
Joell Ortiz is an American rapper from Brooklyn, New York, and a member of the group Slaughterhouse.-Biography:Joell Ortiz was born to Puerto Rican parents. Ortiz grew up in the Cooper Park Houses in the East Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York formerly signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath...
and Norwegian supergroup the Loudmouf Choir.
In 2008 they participated as guests in one track on one of the most skilled Czech hip-hop band PIO SQUAD on their album called Interview. There are plans for a new Smif-n-Wessun album to be released in 2009. The duo has confirmed that legendary producer Pete Rock will be producing a majority, if not all of the album. The album will be called 'Monumental' and is to feature fellow Boot Camp Click members & Pete Rock
Pete Rock
Peter Phillips , better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. He rose to prominence in the early 1990s as one half of the critically acclaimed group Pete Rock & CL Smooth...
himself on June 28, 2011. The album's guests include Raekwon
Raekwon
Corey Woods , better known by the stage name Raekwon, is an American rapper and a member of the Wu-Tang Clan. He released his solo debut, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... in 1995, and has since recorded four solo albums, as well as work with Wu-Tang and an extensive amount of guest contributions with...
, Bun B
Bun B
Bernard Freeman better known by his stage name Bun B, is an American rapper and was one half of the southern hip hop duo UGK . He is also a guest lecturer at Rice University located in Houston, Texas...
, Styles P
Styles P
David Styles better known by his stage name, Styles P, is an American rapper, author, and entrepreneur. He is prominently known as a member of Hip Hop group The LOX and is also a part of the Ruff Ryders hip-hop group, and in addition has released multiple albums and mixtapes as a solo...
, Heltah Skeltah
Heltah Skeltah
Heltah Skeltah is a hip hop duo consisting of members Rock and Ruck . The two are members of New York supergroup Boot Camp Clik, along with Buckshot, Smif-N-Wessun and O.G.C....
, Top Dogg, Buckshot from Boot Camp Click, Memphis Bleek
Memphis Bleek
Malik Thuston Patrick Cox , better known by his rap persona of Memphis Bleek or "Bleek", is a New York rapper mainly known for his tenure with Roc-a-Fella Records and CEO of his own label Get Low Records...
, Freeway, Black Rob
Black Rob
Black Rob is a rapper who was formerly signed to Bad Boy Records.-Music career:Black Rob began associating with the label as early as 1996, appearing on the Bad Boy remix to 112's "Come See Me"...
& Hurricane G
Hurricane G
Gloria Rodríguez, better known by her stage name Hurricane G, is an American rapper of Puerto Rican descent. Her 1997 single release Somebody Else charted at #10 by Billborad Magazine on Hot Rap Singles, and at #54 on their Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.-Background:She was born in...
.
Studio albums
- Dah Shinin'Dah Shinin'Dah Shinin' is the debut album from Brooklyn Hip Hop duo Smif-N-Wessun. Members Tek and Steele made their debut previously on Black Moon's classic 1993 album Enta Da Stage. Dah Shinin has become one of the most heralded New York Hip Hop albums from the mid-'90s, famous for its hardcore lyrical...
- Released: January 10, 1995
- Chart positions: 59 U.S.
- U.S. Sales: 288,253
- Singles: "Bucktown"/"Let's Git It On", "Wrekonize"/"Sound Bwoy Bureill", "Wontime"/"Stand Strong"
- The Rude AwakeningThe Rude AwakeningThe Rude Awakening is the second album from rappers Tek and Steele, their first under the name Cocoa Brovaz. The duo was forced to drop their original name, Smif-N-Wessun, after they were sued by the Smith & Wesson firearms company. The album received moderate reviews and sales. The lead single...
(as Cocoa Brovaz)- Released: March 31, 1998
- Chart positions: 21 U.S.
- Singles: "Won on Won", "Black Trump"/"The Cash", "Spanish Harlem", "Bucktown USA"
- Smif 'n' Wessun: Reloaded
- Released: September 13, 2005
- Chart positions: -
- Singles: "My Timbz Do Work"/"Gunn Rap"/"Reloaded"/"Get Back", "Toolz of the Trade", "We Came Up (Crystal Stair)"
- Smif-n-Wessun: The AlbumSmif-n-Wessun: The AlbumSmif-n-Wessun: The Album is the fourth album by Hip hop duo Smif-n-Wessun, of the supergroup Boot Camp Clik, released on October 23 through Duck Down Records. The album comes two years after the duo's last effort, 2005's Smif 'n' Wessun: Reloaded. The Album features guest appearances from Rock of...
- Released: October 23, 2007
- Chart positions: -
- U.S. Sales: 1,500
- Singles: "Stomp", "Gotta Say It"
- MonumentalMonumental (album)Monumental, is a collaborative studio album by American rap group Smif-N-Wessun and producer/rapper Pete Rock, released on June 28, 2011. On April 1, 2011, Duck Down Records, the album's responsible record label, released a trailer through their official YouTube account. The album has received...
(with Pete RockPete RockPeter Phillips , better known by his stage name Pete Rock, is an American record producer, DJ and rapper. He rose to prominence in the early 1990s as one half of the critically acclaimed group Pete Rock & CL Smooth...
)- Release: US: June 28, 2011 Jap: June 23, 2011
- Singles: "Prevail", "That's Hard"
Singles
| Year | Song | Chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
U.S. R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
U.S. Rap Hot Rap Tracks Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single... |
|||
| 1994 | "Bucktown" | 93 | 61 | 14 | Dah Shinin |
| "Let's Git It On" | – | – | 14 | ||
| 1995 | "Wrekonize" | – | 95 | 29 | |
| "Sound Bwoy Bureill" | – | – | 29 | ||
| "Wontime" | – | – | 48 | ||
| 1997 | "Won on Won" | – | 94 | – | The Rude Awakening |
| 1998 | "Bucktown USA" | – | – | 47 | |
| 2001 | "Get Up" | – | 90 | 9 | Lyricist Lounge 2 |
External links
- Duckdown Records
- Bucktown USA Official production company of Steele from Smif n Wessun.
- ArtOfRhyme.com Interview with Smif n Wessun
- Smif-n-Wessun Interview at dropmagazine.com
- Smif-n-Wessun Interview at MVRemix
- TEK of Smif-n-Wessun Interview Part 1 at WeLiveThis.com
- TEK of Smif-n-Wessun Interview Part 2 at WeLiveThis.com
- 2009 Steele interview