Smif-N-Wessun

Representing Brownsville & Bed Stuy Brooklyn, rap duo Smif-N-Wessun, Tek and Steele, first appeared on Black Moon’s debut album Enta Da Stage in 1993. Adding relentless rhymes to tracks "U da Man" and "Black Smif N' Wessun," the pair paved the way for the Brooklyn Supergroup Boot Camp Clik.

Smif-N-Wessun released their classic debut Dah Shinin’ January 10, 1995 on Nervous Records. The album was noted for its hardcore lyrical content and gritty production, handled by Da Beatminerz production crew, and was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums of all time.

After receiving a cease and desist letter from Smith & Wesson firearm company, the duo rebranded themselves Cocoa Brovaz in 1996. Under this new moniker, they released their second album The Rude Awakening.

In late 2005 they reactivated their original moniker and released Smif-N-Wessun: Reloaded. They followed that with Smif-N-Wessun: The Album, two years later. In 2011, they collaborated with hip-hop legend Pete Rock on the album Monumental, which featured guest spots from Styles P, Memphis Bleek, Raekwon, Bun B, and others. In late 2013, they drew on their reggae influences for the EP Born and Raised that included contributions from Jahdan Blakkamoore, Junior Kelly, and Junior Reid, among others.

The duo released their seventh album, titled The ALL, in 2019. The album was produced by 9th Wonder & The Soul Council and features appearances from Raekwon, Rick Ross, Rapsody, Musiq Soulchild, and more. Currently, they are back in the studio with 9th and the crew, working on their eighth LP.

This year marks 20 years of Smif-N-Wessun’s “Still Shinin.” Indeed, the duo clearly live up to the title. In 2024, they’re very much Still Shinin.

Following 30 years of their iconic single ‘Bucktown’, the duo helped change the shape of the industry from the inside-out. In the early '90s, Smif-N-Wessun had come to shock, entertain, and rip open a new reality to the listeners. Thanks to the dark, murky rhymes alongside bouncin’, often jazz-infused melodies with the Beatminerz top notch beats, singles like ‘Bucktown’ and ‘Wontime’ became rap classics.