Smif-n-wessun DAH SHININ'

Smif-N-Wessun: Tek, Steele (vocals).
Recorded at D&D Studio, New York.
Smif-N-Wessun gained instant recognition due to their first single "Bucktown," which flourished as an anthem for all of Brooklyn's underground heads. But the initial hype never died down because the DJs soon pounced on the B-side, "Let's Git It On," and raised it to street-hit status as well. The group's full-length debut, DAH SHININ', keeps their streak of successes alive on the strength of Tek's rude boy-accented flow and Steele's low-rocking rag image, and maintains the duos street-rep as "original gun clappers."
Produced by Da Beatminerz (including Black Moon's DJ EvilDee), DAH SHININ' opens with a mean bass line, some wicked scratches and hard-core drum beats; but the music is smoothly undercut by the laid-back flow of the lyrics for "Timz N Hood Chek." The consecutive cuts "Wrektime," "Wontime" and "Wrekonize" are unified by their sound, indicative of Brooklyn-based hip-hop circa 1994. Smif-N-Wessun's posse, the Bootcamp Clik, are represented on "Wipe Ya Mouf," which also name-drops the fake friends who've been stressing the band's new-found success a little too much. However, the band's environment and themes are best summed up on "Shinin...Next S**t," which describes their world as one where the inhabitants don't have any choice but to "pack a biscuit" (carry a gun), and where the future holds nothing but a life of crime.

• Format: Vinyl
• Genre: Rap