Interview with Smif-n-Wessun

Interview with Smif n Wessun

Duck Down has been remembered for bringing talented MC’s to the forefront. This includes Brooklyn’s hip hop duo Smif n Wessun, two eighths of the super group Boot Camp Click that laid the groundwork for joints that will always be remembered decades from now. With their classic debut album “Dah Shinin” working with the legendary Beatminerz and numerous subsequent albums including the Caribbean influenced provoking “Sound Bwoy Bureill” this group has taking the music by storm. Smif n Wessun comrades Tek and Steele came through and showed some love on Intrigued discussing about their days with Duck Down in the golden 90’s era, how they got started, how they hooked up with Pete Rock and what’s in store for 2013.

1)            Hip Hop duo Smif n Wessun, in the building with Intrigued. What have you guys been up to these days?

Smif n Wessun: WORKING, LIVING, TAKING CARE OF THE FAMILY THATS THE BASICS BUT AS FAR AS MUSIC WE JUST STARTED WORKING ON LP #6 AND WE PARTNERED UP WITH 88 KEYS TO DO ALL THE PRODUCTION TO BE RELEASED ON DUCKDOWN MUSIC. WE STILL WITH THE FAM BUT WE ALSO HAVE ADDITIONAL BUSINESS ENDEAVORS THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR. I HAVE A MULTI-MEDIA CO. CALLED BUTCKTOWN USA ENT. WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON QUITE A FEW THINGS RIGHT NOW.

2)            For peeps that don’t know, how did you two formed Smif n Wessun and how did you guys joined the supergroup Boot Camp Click?

Smif n Wessun: WE WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL TOGETHER WE MET THRU OUR PNC BIG OLE PIMP COOK AND RAMBO (RIP). THEM GUYS KNEW EACH OTHER FROM BED STUY ME I WAS FROM BROWNSVILLE, SO WHEN I LINKED UP WITH ONE I LINKED WITH THE OTHER. THAT WAS THE ORIGIN OF PNC OR WHAT WE CALLED THEN PM FOR PERFECT MAN OR POWER MASTER (WE ALL WERE DECEPTICONS HAIL MEG!)

3)            Your debut album “Dah Shinin” sold over 300,000 on Nervous records and it became one of the most influential albums of the 90’s golden era. Did you guys expect that album was going to be a classic?

Smif n Wessun: NAH WE DIDNT EXPECT IT TO HAPPEN LIKE THAT PLUS WE NEVER TRIP OFF THE SUCCESS WE SEEN UPS AND DOWNS FROM YOUNG SO WE PREPARE FOR THE WILDEST RIDE THATS PART OF THAT SOULJAH MENTALITY (PATIENCE, DISCIPLINE, OBEDIENCE) WE LEARNED THIS AT HOME AND IN THE STREETS

4)            Not too many people know this but I think Duck Down was the first hip hop indie record label and it is still in existence till this day. Did you guys know all along that Duck Down would influence others to start their own labels?

Smif n Wessun: WORD DUCKDOWN IS THE FIRST INDIE LABEL?! I DINT EVEN KNOW THAT LOL. THAT’S BIG. I’M REALLY SURE IF THAT’S CORRECT BUT WE DID DO SOME INCREDIBLE THINGS WITH OUT ANY MAJOR BACKING. BIG UP DRU HA, NOAH, SHUCKY, AND THE REST OF THE TEAM.

5)            What did you guys learned from Buckshot and Dru Ha as far as in the music business and music creativity?

Smif n Wessun: WHAT I LEARNED FROM THEM GUYS IS PRICELESS YOU COULDNT GET THEM JEWELS IN ANY IVY LEAGUE. MAYBE A KNOCK OFF VERSION OF IT BUT THEM BROTHERS ARE BRILLIANT. IM BLESSED TO BE ON THE SAME TEAM AND TO HAVE GROWN WITH THEM THROUGH THIS UNFORGIVING INDUSTRY

6)            You guys were in the works of the “One Nation” album with 2Pac. How did you guys managed to link up with 2Pac?

Smif n Wessun: I WOULD SAY IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH TEK GIVING PAC A SHOUT OUT ON THE CREDITS ON 'DAH SHININ'. I THINK THE OUTLAWZ (BEING MOSTLY BEING RIGHT FROM JERSEY) PLAYED AN INTRICATE PART AS WELL. WE ALSO HAD ANOTHER HOMIE WHO ACTED IN STRETCH'S VID (RIP) WHO WAS A MUTUAL FRIEND OF TUPAC. OTHER THAN THE MINOR COINCIDENCES I WOULD SAY IT WAS JUST IN THE CARDS FOR US TO LINK UP AND BUILD.

7)            You also had to deal with legal issues with the Smif n Wessun gun company. You changed your name to the Cocoa Bros. What made you guys decide to use the group name Smif n Wessun again?

Smif n Wessun: LETS JUST SAY DIFFERENT TIMES, DIFFERENT LAWS, IM JUST GRATEFUL WE CAN MOVE FORWARD

8)            I remember when super groups got on a track and killed it. One of my favorites is “Cession at the Dogghille” and “U Da Man. Why do you guys think artists do not make these types of tracks like in the 90’s? Is it music politics?

Smif n Wessun: SOME ARTISTS STILL DO SONGS LIKE THIS. THERE ARENT AS MANY SUPERGROUPS OUT RIGHT NOW BUT THERE ARE QUITE A FEW CATS WHO FORM ALLEGIANCES AND YOU CAN ALWAYS HEAR DUDE ON EACH OTHER SONGS. NOTHING LIKE 'CESSION' OR 'U DA MAN' THO YOU ALREADY KNOW LOL

9)            General Steele, talk to us about Bucktown USA Entertainment.

Smif n Wessun: BUCKTOWN USA SPAWNED FROM ME &TEKS EXPERIENCE IN BROOKLYN. I LATER FORMED THE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY OUT OF NECESSITY. THERE IS NO STABILITY FOR MANY ARTISTs IN THIS INDUSTRY AND WE ALL HAVE THOSE TIMES WHEN WE ARE NOT THE MAIN FOCUS ON THE LABEL OR THE SHOWS SLOW UP OR MAYBE YOU JUST FEEL LIKE YOU CAN DO MORE USING YOUR EXPERIENCES. SO IT HAS BEEN A WORK IN PROGRESS. WE  DROPPED A FEW PROJECTS WITH SOME OF THE YOUNG ARTIST THAT WE HAVE ON THE ROSTER AND WE ALSO DID  SOME PRODUCTION ON A NEW SERIES CALLED 'FOR COLORED BOYS' YOU WILL HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT THIS YEAR. WORKING TO STRENGTHEN THE BRAND AND STAY PRODUCTIVE

10)         How was it teaming up with Pete Rock and recorded the “Monumental” album?

Smif n Wesun: IT WAS A GODSEND. IT WAS PERFECTION. I MEAN WE TOSSED NAMES UP IN THE AIR YAKNOW, WEIGHED OPTIONS, PRO CONS, PETE WAS JUST PERFECT. IT WAS A BLESSING THAT HIS SCHEDULE WAS OPEN BECAUSE HE STAYS WORKING. BUT YEH IT WAS MONUMENTAL INDEED.

11)         Both of you did solo albums but still remained Smif n Wessun. What keeps you two together? You’ve been together for a long time and produced classic albums after another.

Smif n Wessun: GOD, PNC, FAMILY. GIVE THANX TO THE MOST HIGH. WE SEEN ALOT GAINED ALOT LOST ALOT. FAILING CAN TEACH YOU SOME THINGS THAT WINNING CAN’T SO WHEN YOU FINALLY WIN WITH YA FAMILY....AAHH! PRICELESS

12)         I noticed you guys show love to new artists and producers as well as giving upcoming people like me time to interview you guys. Do you think that’s missing in hip hop? As soon as artists get a little recognition they immediately try to holla at the big names and looking for a deal.

Smif n Wessun: I THINK ITS STILL THERE BUT THERE IS ALOT OF D*CKRIDING TOO LOL. BUT THAT AINT NEW WE DID A SONG ON OUR FIRST ALBUM CALLED 'WYP (WIPE) YA MOUF (MOUTH)' HAHAHA BUT ON THE REAL I THINK THAT YOU JUST HAVE TO MAKE YA WAY AND BE HUMBLE BECAUSE THERE ARE ASSHOLES IN EVERY OCCUPATION, PROFESSION, INDUSTRY, YOU NAME IT

YOU JUST GOT TO STAY FOCUSED KEEP HUMBLE AND HAVE TOUGH SKIN AND A GOOD SUPPORT TEAM THAT’S JUST TO START HAHAHA

13)         Many new artists only hit the studio and promote their product. I think it’s important but how important are performing on shows and being interviewed on music blogs and magazines in order to surface an artist’s career?

Smif n Wessun: THAT’S A GREAT POINT. I TELL THE ARTIST I WORK WITH THAT ALL THE TIME. YOU HAVE TO CREATE YOUR OWN BUZZ IN THE FIELD OF THORNS HAHAHA. THE LABEL CAN DO A GREAT DEAL TO MOVE YOU FORWARD BUT YOU HAVE TO HONE YOUR CRAFT AND REFINE YOUR PRODUCT OR BRAND WHICH IS 'YOU' I THINK ALL ARTIST SHOULD BE ACTIVE AS POSSIBLE BTW I NEED YOU TO INTERVIEW MY ARTIST VVS VERBAL, AND JEWELS LOL. GUAPPY, BACKBLOCK COMING SOON.

14)         Let’s say you’re judges in a competition and an aspiring artist or producer comes along, what do you guys look for in an artist or what kind of sound do you look for in an upcoming producer?

Smif n Wessun: YOU GOTTA HAVE SOME ORIGINALITY, RESPECT FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND FOR THE PEOPLE, HOW YOU CARRY YOURSELF GOES A LONG WAY WITH ME. I TELL YOU IF YOY ARE A JERK WHOS SUPER TALENTED I PROBABLY WON’T FCK WIT U. I'M FLEXIBLE BUT I DONT STRESS MYSELF SO THE LAST THING I WANT IS SOMEONE ELSES STRESS FEEL ME?! BUT JUST HAVE SOME DOPE SHT AND THE RIGHT ATTITUDE.

15)         Don’t mean to stray away from the music but a sports question: The Nets moved from New Jersey to Brooklyn. Your thoughts on it.

Smif n Wessun: I'M A KNICKS FAN, YOU GOTTA ASK A JERSEY FAN THAT QUESTION

16)         What’s next for Smif n Wessun for 2013?

Smif n Wessun: AS I TOUCHED ON EARLIER WE HAVE A FEW THINGS ON OUR PLATE. I'M DEVELOPING THESE ARTIST AND THE BTU BRAND AND WE ARE WORKING ON SOME FILM PROJECTS WITH SOME FOLKS STAY TUNED FOR THAT AND UMMM YEH JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO STAYING PRODUCTIVE AND ENJOY LIVING

17)         What advice would you give new artists and producers that want to get into the game?

Smif n Wessun: DONT! NAH HAHAHA! FOR REAL THOUGH DONT FCK WITH THIS GAME IF YOU AINT BUILT FOR IT. MANY HAVE TRIED AND REGRETTABLY FAILED BUT THEN THERE ARE MANY SUCCESS STORIES AS WELL. DO YOU! FIND YA NICHE AND MAX OUT, GO HARD, I COULD WRITE A TEXTBOOK ON IT LOL (BUT OTHER THAN THAT STAY YOUR ASS IN SCHOOL) READING IS FUNDAMENTAL OR AS MY DAD USED TO SAY THE 3 R'S READING, (W)'RITING, (A)'RITHMETIC LOL

18)         Where can cats get to you guys as far as music and guest appearances?

Smif n Wessun: WWW.DUCKDOWN.COM

WWW.BUCKTOWNUSA.COM

FOR FEATURES/TRACKS & BOOKINGS

BUCKTOWNUSA@BUCKTOWNUSA.COM

BACK TO THE GRILL AGAIN WITH OLD CLASSIC BY SMIF-N-WESSUN "SOUND BWOY BUREILL" ONLY ON THE ONE AND ONLY BLOG! INTRIGUING YOUR MINDS EVERY DAY!