Smif N Wessun The All Zip
Released on February 22, 2019, The All is the sixth studio album by the legendary Brooklyn hip-hop duo Smif-N-Wessun. Released through Duck Down Music, the project marks a significant collaborative milestone, being produced entirely by 9th Wonder and his Soul Council production team (including Khrysis, Nottz, Eric G., and E. Jones).
The album represents a "matured and astute perspective" for Tek and Steele, moving beyond the gritty street anthems of their 1995 debut, Dah Shinin', into more reflective and soulful territory. Tracklist and Featured Artists
The 12-track album features a blend of veteran hip-hop icons and contemporary soul artists: Featured Artist(s) (Intro) The Education of Smif-N-Wessun Testify DreamLand Raekwon & Heather Victoria Ocean Drive Musiq Soulchild & Rapsody Let It Go Letter 4 U SmittytheCAINSMITH Let Me Tell Ya The A.L.L. We Good GQ & Heather Victoria StahfAllah Illusions One Time Key Musical Themes and Production
Soulful Boom Bap: Unlike their earlier work with Da Beatminerz, The All relies on the polished, sample-heavy "Soul Council" sound. 9th Wonder produced standouts like "Dreamland" and "The A.L.L.," while Khrysis contributed the soulful backdrop for "Ocean Drive".
Personal Growth: The lyrics often touch on spirituality and responsibility. On "Stahfallah," the duo explores a more spiritual perspective, while "Letter 4 U" provides a personal touch rarely seen in their earlier "hardcore" catalog. Smif N Wessun The All Zip
Chemistry: Critics have highlighted the enduring chemistry between Tek and Steele, noting their ability to "punch in" on each other’s lines with a flow honed over 25 years. Critical Reception
The album was generally well-received as a "solid comeback". Album Review | Smif-N-Wessun – The All - Focus Hip Hop
The Brooklyn hip-hop duo Smif-N-Wessun released their seventh studio album, titled The All, on February 22, 2019, through Duck Down Music Inc.. The project was produced entirely by 9th Wonder and The Soul Council. Album Features & Tracklist
The album consists of 12 tracks and includes guest appearances from several notable artists: The All Testify DreamLand (feat. Raekwon & Rapsody) Ocean Drive (feat. Musiq Soulchild & Rapsody) Let It Go Letter 4 U (feat. Heather Victoria) Let Me Tell Ya (feat. Rick Ross) Stahhr Illusions One Time Wolf Tickets The Smoke Released on February 22, 2019 , The All
You can stream or download the album on various platforms, including Amazon Music and Qobuz.
The Bootleg Before the Bootleg
Let’s set the scene. The year is roughly 2002-2005. Smif-N-Wessun (now often called Cocoa Brovaz due to legal pressure from the firearm manufacturer) are legends. Their 1995 debut, Dah Shinin’, is a certified Brooklyn classic. But fans are hungry. The duo had released scattered tracks—"Stand Strong," "Gangsta Prayer," "Get Up"—but no cohesive follow-up had landed with the same monolithic weight.
Enter the MP3.
Somewhere in the digital swamp, a user with a handle like "BootCamp_Ripper_95" or "Da_Original_Teacha" uploaded a file simply named: Smif N Wessun - The All.zip. The Bootleg Before the Bootleg Let’s set the scene
Tracklist Mystery: What Was on the Tape?
Because The All Zip was a bootleg, no two copies were exactly identical. However, collectors agree on a core set of tracks that define the Smif N Wessun The All Zip experience. Here are the rumored highlights:
The Digital Resurrection: From Tape to MP3
In the early 2000s, a user on the now-defunct Hip-Hop forum The T.R.O.Y. Blog uploaded a low-bitrate rip of their personal All Zip cassette. Despite the hiss and the 128kbps compression, the file spread like wildfire.
Today, searching for Smif N Wessun The All Zip on YouTube yields several results. Most are fan restorations. Some have added artificial reverb. A few purists have uploaded "untouched" needle-drops directly from the tape deck.
However, in 2020, Evil Dee himself addressed the bootleg on Instagram Live. When a fan asked about The All Zip, Evil Dee laughed and said:
"Man, that tape? That was the rough drafts. We gave that to DJs to test in the clubs. I don't even have a copy anymore. If you find one, don't send it to me—sell it to a Japanese collector for ten grand."
