Smif-N-Wessun: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
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- Опубліковано 23 вер 2018
- Sept. 17, 2018 | Abby O'Neill -- Brooklyn-bred hip-hop duo Smif-N-Wessun - consisting of partners in rhyme, Steele and Tek - illuminated the Tiny Desk with their signature, 80-proof poetry: straight, no chaser. Their music, inspired by their gritty and pre-gentrified Bedford-Stuyvesant and Brownsville neighborhoods, offers the vocabulary of veterans who survived the grimy streets. These original members of the Duck Down Records group Boot Camp Click represent quintessential '90s true-school hip-hop from the bedrock, when Timberland boots were standard issue. Backing Steele and Tek for the first time is D.C.'s own Black Alley band.
Smif-N-Wessun set things off with their classic debut single "Bucktown," an ode to their native Brooklyn, which uses their love for lyrical clapbacks as an allegory for overcoming the violence-ridden reality of their wonder years. Their undeniable Gemini chemistry - clearly the byproduct of a 20-plus year friendship - is on full display. Throughout the performance, the two emcees dance, share easy banter and express their spiritual connection to the music they've created over the years.
Things climax when the two perform "Stand Strong," another favorite from their debut album Dah Shinin'. Anchored by the mantra, "I never ran / never will," the tune receives a refreshing update, courtesy of Black Alley. Driven by the live interpolation of their Beatminerz-produced tracks, the music decries the struggles of late-stage capitalism and the plight of the disenfranchised. It's a revelation of love, life, and brotherhood in an era when the antiheroes were really just the ones cunning enough to avoid becoming victims. That survivor's drive is personified when Steele lets his guard down during the performance and gifts the audience a little boogie, while referring to the "holy ghost" that has come over him.
The set concludes with an exclusive premier of their new single, "One Time," from their forthcoming album, The All, produced by 9th Wonder & The Soul Council.
Set List
"Bucktown"
"Stand Strong"
"One Time"
Credits
Producers: Abby O'Neill, Bronson Arcuri, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Bronson Arcuri, Beck Harlan, CJ Riculan, Khun Minn Ohn; Production Assistants: Catherine Zhang, Téa Mottolese; Photo: Eslah Attar
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I don't know who the hell is pulling all these strings at NPR , but whoever it is, you have been killing it with the 90s hip hop acts this year, jesus, do u know how happy this makes me???? THANK YOU FACELESS PERSON AT NPR DOING ALL THIS GOOD WORK, TRULY APPRECIATED
Dah Shinin' is a timeless album, Tek & Steele are legends!
This was an honor to be amongst these great artist. Thank you NPR. Thank You Abby!
Wow. Please, bring in The Pharcyde.
Shout outs to the audio engineers. cats sounding crisp AF.
Did NOT expect to see Mr. Smif and Mr. Wessun on NPR. This is too cool, I'm gonna have to send my students home so I can watch this video.
I approve of NPR and classic hip hop together.
General Steele, one of the most underrated MC's of ALL TIME. I always felt like he's like the GZA of the Boot Camp Clik. Never in forefront, but quietly he's like the backbone of the whole joint. Plus he never said a wack rhyme EVER
ADVISORY: This video contains DOPENESS.
I ain’t even from east coast but stay shouting BUCKTOOOWWNN🔥
CRIMINALLY UNDERATED ... THESE ARE TWO OF THE REALEST HIP HOP ARTIST'S OF THE GOLDEN ERA
As Steele mentioned, he is absolutely having a spiritual experience. The way he is reinterpreting his vocals does not seem planned. It's very organic. He's allowing the music to take him away from the usual path of the song and just trusting his intuition. Beautiful. Just a great example of what true artistry looks like. 🙌🏾
I love to see Smif-N-Wessun still doing music and even more I love to see them still being close friends, you can feel the brother love through the screen. Real friendship is forever! Peace, God!
The arrangement of the music is phenomenal. and of course, Tek and Steele are a potent duo. RIP Sean P
YES!! Still got so much love & respect for all the Duck Down artists, true hip hop 💕 Never get tired of Smif-N-Wessun, O.G.C, Helter Skelter, Black Moon, Buckshot..... Love you guys 👍 💕
Golden era legendary duo. Brooklyn stamped and certified. Dont care what nobody say bk has the most unique and dopiest M.C's. period.
Smif-N-Wessun one of the best duos in rap no CAP 🙏🏻🔥
Omg!!!! Thank you so much npr!!! Bring in ogc, black moon, & heltah skeltah!!! Boot camp clik forever!
Man, the camaraderie in these two is palpable. I've never had the pleasure of listening to any Smif-N-Wessun in my life, but these men make POWERFUL music.