A few weeks fresh off the 23rd anniversary of their classic debut album, Da Shinin’, Brooklyn duo Smif N Wessun (Steele and Tek) have released the video for the soul smacking single, “Testify” produced by Khrysis, off their newest album, The All. The project, produced entirely by Grammy-nominated producer 9th Wonder and his Soul Council team, brings the hardcore feel of SNW’s best work to the forefront.
“9th Wonder and the Soul Council provide the perfect backdrop for Tek and I to deliver heartfelt lyrical content,” Steele reveals directly. “It’s a true tale of ups and downs, wins and losses, growth and acceptance. It speaks to the hearts and minds of all people; particularly our followers and fans of all ages and ethnicities.”
When artists who rep a certain quality sector of hip-hop music resurface to offer newness to an audience, the longtime fans are looking to bring that old thing back while looking to reflect and push forward at the same time.
“‘Testify’ is a realistic reflective look back on our accomplishments and failures throughout our career and serves as a precursor to what you will experience on The All,” Steele continues. “This project is a reality check for SNW, one that reflects the struggles and obstacles that we’ve had to endure to survive at the level we occupy in the hip-hop arena.”
9th Wonder took the project on as a lover of the group, “My goal is to make sure that we cement the legacy of the artist, but at the same time update the artist. We came up with the concept of The All (based on a speech from Louis Farrakhan), you can never underestimate the essence of Islam in Hip-Hop. Given the fact that SNW are both Muslim and so many others are as well, we couldn’t forget that part.”
Going into new chambers of living is needed when you have been recording albums for over 20 years. 9th explains, “we wanted them to talk about stuff they wouldn’t normally talk about on records, as they are in a different point in their lives, very grown man. It gives something to our generation to listen to, appreciate and celebrate without feeling old, without feeling outdated. We also wanted to let them know, the legends can still do it.”
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As the word legend gets thrown around a lot, it’s not a far off title for the duo of Tek and Steele. “Some bestow the ‘legend’ tag upon us (we are very appreciative of that),” says Steele. “And we are chronicling that journey throughout the album.”
The full project will be dropping on February 22nd, 2019 on Duck Down Records. You can pre-order the album here and group merch here.