In the mid-90′s New York City underground rap was ruling boom boxes and headphones nationwide.  With the emergence of Duck Down Records and its very talented roster, the duo known as Smif-N-Wessun dropped “Da Shinin” in January of ’95, and the rest is hip-hop history.  The singles “Bucktown”, Wreckonize” and “Sound Bwoy Bureill” further solidified the album as certified classic.  Through the years the group has dealt with name issues, label issues, and anything in between.   They are now back with “Reloaded” with a new slate of producers, guest appearances by some of hip-hop finest, and the old name back in effect.

     The album starts out with the Dru Kevorkian (aka Dru Ha) produced banger “Reloaded” which reintroduces the duo to the hip-hop world.  Tek and Steele spit fire from the mic and let the critics and fans alike know they always have and will be here.  The single “My Timbz Do Work” is an updated sound from “Da Shinin”, but the same grimy, dirty lyrics that made Tek and Steele hip-hop household names.  Justus League VP Khrysis lends his production skills to “Gunn Rap” and “Sick Em Son” adding his signature sound to Tek and Steele’s lyrical tirade.   New comer Coptic handles 4 tracks and the other up and comer to the fold, Moss lends his dark and eerie vibe to “Get Back”.  Speaking of up and comers one of my personal favorites on the album is the Ken Ring and Rune Rotter produced banger “War” utilizing the always popular Mobb Deep quote “There’s a war going on outside”.  This wouldn’t be a Smif-n-Wessun album without at least one Beatminerz produced heater, this time around Mr Walt and Evil Dee bring their sound to two of that albums stand-outs.  First being the mixtape favorite “Tools of the Trade” and the Tony Touch assisted “U Undastand Me”.  Both have an updated sound for 2005, but the Beatminerz haven’t missed a step.  Even the so-so tracks are better than most of the music that hits the airwaves nowadays, it’s just good to see people still doing hip-hop the right way.

   Though Tek and Steele are not the most lyrical cats in the game, they have never came wack. “Reloaded” is the an updated sound of a proven format that works, having Kweli, Dead Prez, Buckshot, and Heltah Skeltah can never hurt but they don’t need the help.  This duo can hold their own in this decade and beyond. The Duck Down family isn’t going anywhere, you can bet on that.