Tek & Steele 'Smif N Wess: Reloaded' album

Ever wonder who originally coined the phrase “Bucktown,” the slang which has since become synonymous in the Urban landscape to describe the concrete borough? That’s right, Smif N Wesson’s Tek & Steele. Yet, there is so much more to Brooklyn, New York than meets the eye. Long considered a breeding ground for crime, corruption, and untamed youth, the borough's contributions to the world of music and culture have traditionally gone without notice--- but they are there. Just think hip hop, and the names will begin rushing into your consciousness: Special Ed, Notorious B.I.G., Jay-Z, M.O.P., DJ Premier, Mos Def, and of course, that army battalion-load of emcees known as the Boot Camp Clik.

Appearing under the name, Smif-N-Wessun, Tek and Steele's first-ever recorded experience dates back to fellow 'Bucktown' representatives and Boot Camp members, Black Moon's stellar LP, 1993's Enta Da Stage. Textured with the murky, dungeon-core production of Da Beatminerz, and crackling with the flavor of a reggae vocal long-forgotten, the collaboration would set the stage for the unique blend of sound clash street-speak which was to follow. And follow it did-- nearly 2 years later, when the fast-rising pair dropped their groundbreaking Dah Shinin' debut on Nervous Records. Acclaimed by both hip-hop and pop press alike, the record would feature an abundance of single-worthy cuts, including the now-classics, "Sound Bwoy Buriel", "Stand Strong", and "Bucktown." And the fans liked it too, copping enough copies during its opening week to ensure both a #1 slot on Billboard's Rap Album chart and #3 debut on its R&B measure-- impressive stats for a new artist release in any genre.

By the time Tek & Steele began recording their sophomore LP, Rude Awakening, Duck Down had a new recording home and distribution deal with Priority Records and was the talk of the underground scene. But just as things looked ready to take off, Tek & Steele were served a cease and desist order from gun manufacturer Smith And Wesson, which banned them from being able to record under their original recording moniker Smif N Wesson; hence, when Rude Awakening was finally released in 1998, Tek & Steele were forced to release the LP as Cocoa Brovaz---a road block which would have crippled most artists with lesser talent. Though Tek & Steele signed a deal with former Indy Powerhouse Rawkus Records in 2000(?), it was short lived, as Rawkus folded its door’s shortly after Tek & Steele had finished recording their Rawkus debut. Yet, the duo remained busy, as they stayed active by contributing to Rawkus’ Soundbombing II (“Get Up”) and III (“Spit Again”) and appearing (“Gun Talk”) on Talib Kweli’s 2002 release Quality.

Now back, and recording under their original moniker, Tek & Steele’s Smif N Wess: Reloaded, is the final piece of Duck Down’s re-emergence in 2005, as it brilliantly culminates Duck Down’s “Triple Threat”(Sean Price’s Monkey Barz & Buckshot & 9th Wonder’s Chemistry) summer. Ripe with Tek & Steele’s smokey vocals, Reloaded brings the Boot Camp click full-circle and is aided by guest appearances from all of the Boot Camp’s core members, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, Tony Touch and production from Da Beatminerz, Roc Raida, Coptic and young fast-rising producers Moss and the Justus League’s Khrysis. The LP’s lead-single, “My Timbz Do Work” f/Heltah Skeltah will be impacting soon.

Tek and Steele, are more than just survivors of this diverse and musically prolific environment; they are survivors of an industry that values the fattening of pockets above all else. Despite an early career rooted in critical and commercial success, the duo's future would forever be altered by one key axiom: in the business of music, still don't nothing move but the money.

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Tek & Steele - Smif N Wess: Reloaded