Smif-N-Wessun

Smif-N-Wessun (a.k.a. Cocoa Brovaz) is an East Coast hip hop duo consisting of members Tek (Tekomin Williams) and Steele (Darrell Yates). Smif-N-Wessun comprise one quarter 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.

Smif-N-Wessun
Steele (left) and Tek
Background information
Also known asCocoa Brovaz, Tek-N-Steele, Mr. Rippa, Mr. Vicksta
OriginBrooklyn, New York,
United States
GenresHip hop
Years active1993–present
LabelsDuck Down
Associated actsBoot Camp Clik, Black Moon, Heltah Skeltah, O.G.C., Tupac Shakur, Pete Rock, Ken Ring, Sido, Mary J. Blige
MembersTek
Steele

History

The duo debuted on Black Moon's 1993 album Enta da Stage, appearing on the tracks "Blac 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 City hip hop scene of the mid-1990s. Soon after the release of their debut, Smif-N-Wessun received a cease and desist order over their group name by the Smith & Wesson firearms company. To avoid the lawsuit, they changed their name to Cocoa Brovaz in 1996.

In 1997, Cocoa Brovaz joined up with the Boot Camp Clik for their debut collaborative effort, For the People. 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 sampled the Super Mario Bros. theme.[1][2] 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 underground label Rawkus Records.[3]

They appeared on a number of compilation albums over the next few years, including Soundbombing 2, Lyricist Lounge 2, Game Over and Soundbombing III and Frankie Cutlass "Politics & Bullshit" Album. 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 PIO SQUAD's album Interview. There were plans for a new Smif-n-Wessun album to be released in 2009. The duo has confirmed that legendary producer Pete Rock would be producing a majority, if not all of the album.[4] The album is entitled Monumental and was released on June 28, 2011. The album's guests include Raekwon, Bun B, Styles P, Heltah Skeltah, Top Dogg, Buckshot from Boot Camp Clik, Memphis Bleek, Freeway, Black Rob and Hurricane G.

In September 2013, the duo announced the release of a reggae inspired EP entitled Born and Raised entirely produced by Beatnick & K-Salaam. The EP was released on December 3, 2013 and includes guest features from Junior Reid, Jr. Kelly, Jahdan Blakkamoore, and DJ Full Factor. The EP's release was supported by one single – "Solid Ground" featuring Junior Reid.

In September 2018, they performed on NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts.[5]

Discography

Studio albums

EPs

Singles
Year Song Chart positions Album
U.S. Hot 100 U.S. R&B U.S. Rap
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
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References
  1. "Cocoa Brovaz's 'Super Brooklyn' - Discover the Sample Source". WhoSampled.com. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  2. "Cocoa Brovaz - Super Brooklyn". Discogs.com. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  3. "When Hip Hop Meets Video Games". Bet.com. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  4. TEK Discusses Smif-N-Wessun and Pete Rock Collaboration During Interview With WeLiveThis.com WeLiveThis.com April 2009
  5. https://www.npr.org/2018/09/14/647808347/smif-n-wessun-tiny-desk-concert
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