Their debut LP, Dah Shinin', followed soon thereafter, unleashing more heavy artillery from the military-minded BCC. With a canvas of dark, gluttonous beats provided by the gifted Beatminerz production squad, the duo expanded the limits of harsh sounding, neck-snapping hip-hop by adding a melodic element. The crew released their album during the heyday of one of the '90s most influential independent hip-hop labels, Nervous Wreck Records, which many other indies (Rawkus) have patterned themselves around. Their name alone implies violence, but the weaponry they deploy is also of the verbal variety. Tek and Steele both possess signature flows, the former a bit more straight-laced while the latter showcases West Indian influences. Dah Shinin' was a focused album with a sharp compacted sound that still contained depth, albeit strictly from the dark side.
Forced to reincarnate themselves after a legal battle with the Smith and Wesson firearm company, the duo resurfaced in 1997 as the Cocoa Brovaz, a reference to their heritage and also to their marijuana fixation. Their second album (and first as the Cocoa Bs), 1998's The Rude Awakening, was a more sprawling and chaotic venture, as well as being a shade more frighteningly dark. Since 1998, the two partners have released a few singles, including "Super Brooklyn," which features a superbly innovative use of a sample from the old Super Mario Bros. Nintendo game.
They got signed to leading underground record label Rawkus Records but never released an album on the label. Thay joined back up with the Boot Camp Clik in 2002 for the album The Chosen Few. In September 2005, they returned as Smif-N-Wessun for the album Reloaded.
Let's Get It On
Smif-n-Wessun Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't think these peeps know
Yo, it's finally on for real, duke
Brothers better recognize
Smif-N-Wessun up in the joint
Bucktown, Boot Camp
Bring it son
And the hardrocks carry, with props and black hearts
Meet up with my people on the corner in the morn
Get zoned, get on and prepare to get it on
What does it take, to get the brake in the world of snakes
And those who fake? maybe a taste of this here
Ah, true, now what them gwan do
when Smif-N-Wessun come lookin' for you
Seen, I'm comin' wit' my Boot Camp Clik
Yeah, my troops
Bringin' the ruckus
Rockin' them wack groups that switch just to get loot
Not tryna go out like the rest to be the best (nah)
Just get to get rough, it's off my chest, nothin' less
Let's get it on
Smif-N-Wessun and we do it like this
Let's get it on
Smif-N-Wessun and we do it like this
Let's get it on
Smif-N-Wessun and we do it like this
Let's get it on
Smif-N-Wessun and we do it like this
Let's get it on, I've been playin' my dues for the longest
No more calmness, from chest to chest see who's the strongest (uh)
I got ya block on lock, now you gettin' dropped
New law and order, Smif-N-Wessun settin' up shop
The underground flavor is major, I'll check ya later
Gotta get with my peeps and get paper
No time for sleep, gotta hit the streets
With my peeps, get with Mr. Walt
Tell him hit us off with this phat beat
Hit the sack and rip the track back to back
Feelin' the vibe, come around the Clik catchin' contacts
We bringin' drama to y'all wannabes
Do me a favor and bring on the real emcees
Respect the I representative
It's Smif-N-Wessun, sent to give you a rundown on how it is
Yo how it is, Dun?
We do what we do we don't fake it (yeah, what?)
We just take it, so
Let's (let's) get it (get it) on
Smif-N-Wessun and we do it like this
Let's get it on
Smif-N-Wessun and we do it like this
Word, let's get it on
Smif-N-Wessun and we do it like this
Ayo, let's get it on
Smif-N-Wessun and we do it like this
Come on, yeah, huh? You ready?
Beef knockin' at my front door
Time to face drama once more
Once and for all settle the score
I could feel the heat from the hot concrete
Cops walk the beats, but the crooks rule the streets (huh)
Come and mingle in the cypher of a no good hood
Try to survive Bucktown Boot Camp if you could
The struggle's no different and the pain's all the same
All the same game just labeled with a different name
When beef gets thick, I stick with my Boot Camp Clik (Mr. Rippa)
Mr. Fix, the awesome real sh-
No doubt, peep it in ya heart, ya have it made
Smif-N-Wessun representin' from the cradle to the grave (yeah)
Smif-N-Wessun and we do it like this
Let's get it on
Smif-N-Wessun and we do it like this
Let's get it on
Smif-N-Wessun and we do it like this
Let's get it on
Smif-N-Wessun and we do it like this
Now let's get it on
Ayy, yo, this is straight up to all the heads
That step to their biz (check it, check it out)
Get it on everyday like so
Smif-N-Wessun representin' on the flow
Nobody safe
Yeah, in the 90s that's how we do it
We mean business, boy
In the song Let's Get It On, Smif-n-Wessun raps about their rise to power and their determination to be recognized in the rap game. They speak about their struggles growing up in Bucktown, a rough neighborhood where cops and "hardrocks" carried guns, and where they had to be cautious of "snakes" and "fakes." Despite their hardships, Smif-n-Wessun remain committed to their craft, seeking to make themselves known and respected among their peers.
Throughout the song, Smif-n-Wessun pride themselves on their genuine approach to rap music. They refuse to "fake it" and instead choose to "just take it." They are confident in their skills and eager to prove themselves by taking on the toughest challenges. For them, it's not just about making money, but about making a name for themselves and representing their community.
The chorus of the song, "Let's get it on," is repeated four times, urging listeners to join them in their pursuit of success. Smif-n-Wessun is ready to bring the heat and face any challenges that come their way, declaring that "nobody's safe" and emphasizing their commitment to their craft. The song finishes with a strong statement that they mean business in the rap game.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah-yeah, ah
Starting the song with a shout for attention.
I don't think these peeps know
People don't understand the real struggles on the street.
Yo, it's finally on for real, duke
Referring to their rise to fame and recognition finally happening.
Brothers better recognize
Others should take notice and respect them.
Smif-N-Wessun up in the joint
Referring to themselves being present and ready to perform on stage.
Bucktown, Boot Camp
Referring to their place of origin and group affiliation.
Bring it son
A call to action to bring their best performance.
Raise like a rock, on the block, where the cops carry
Referring to the tough environment they come from where law enforcement carry guns.
And the hardrocks carry, with props and black hearts
Pointing out that people in their neighborhood carry guns and have tough personalities.
Meet up with my people on the corner in the morn
Referring to meeting up with their crew on the street corner in the morning.
Get zoned, get on and prepare to get it on
Getting focused, ready to perform, and expecting to bring their best effort.
What does it take, to get the brake in the world of snakes
Asking what it takes to make it in an untrustworthy world.
And those who fake? maybe a taste of this here
Suggesting that fake people deserve their comeuppance.
Ah, true, now what them gwan do
Acknowledging that their opponents will now have to face their wrath.
when Smif-N-Wessun come lookin' for you
Referring to their arrival and search for anyone who opposes them.
Seen, I'm comin' wit' my Boot Camp Clik
Referring to their affiliation with the Boot Camp Clik.
Yeah, my troops
Referring to their group members as his soldiers.
Bringin' the ruckus
Preparing for a loud and energetic performance.
Rockin' them wack groups that switch just to get loot
Pointing out the insincerity of groups that switch to more profitable genres.
Not tryna go out like the rest to be the best (nah)
Refusing to conform to popular trends to become successful.
Just get to get rough, it's off my chest, nothin' less
Expressing their need to be tough and speak their mind without compromise.
Let's get it on
A call to start the performance.
I've been playin' my dues for the longest
Referring to their long journey towards success.
No more calmness, from chest to chest see who's the strongest (uh)
No more holding back and ready to compete to see who reigns supreme.
I got ya block on lock, now you gettin' dropped
Suggesting their dominance and ability to take down opposition.
New law and order, Smif-N-Wessun settin' up shop
Referring to their rise to power and control over their music genre.
The underground flavor is major, I'll check ya later
Pointing out their authenticity and importance in the underground music scene.
Gotta get with my peeps and get paper
Referring to their need to connect with their crew and make more money.
No time for sleep, gotta hit the streets
Expressing their dedication to their craft by prioritizing work over comfort.
With my peeps, get with Mr. Walt
Referring to their producer, Mr. Walt, as an accomplice in their musical endeavors.
Tell him hit us off with this phat beat
Asking their producer for a good beat to perform to.
Hit the sack and rip the track back to back
Referring to going to sleep and then immediately working hard on a song again.
Feelin' the vibe, come around the Clik catchin' contacts
Absorbing the energy and sounds of their music style.
We bringin' drama to y'all wannabes
Referring to their opponents as fake and undeserving of respect.
Do me a favor and bring on the real emcees
Requesting to compete with the best in the game for the satisfaction of proving their worth.
Respect the I representative
Asking for people to recognize their authority and power.
Yo how it is, Dun?
Asking his crew member how he's feeling and what's going on with him.
We do what we do, we don't fake it (yeah, what?)
Refusing to compromise or fake their music for popularity.
We just take it, so
Referring to taking what they want in life and not worrying about others' opinions.
Beef knockin' at my front door
Referring to trouble or conflict coming his way.
Time to face drama once more
Acknowledging the inevitability of conflict and the need to face it head-on.
Once and for all settle the score
Referring to resolving the conflict once and for all.
I could feel the heat from the hot concrete
Referring to the tension or stress of the situation.
Cops walk the beats, but the crooks rule the streets (huh)
Referring to the power structure and intimidation in their neighborhood.
Come and mingle in the cypher of a no good hood
Referencing the tight-knit community of people in their surroundings.
Try to survive Bucktown Boot Camp if you could
Suggesting the danger and toughness of their neighborhood.
The struggle's no different and the pain's all the same
Acknowledging the shared struggles and suffering of people in their community.
All the same game just labeled with a different name
Pointing out the universality of certain experiences despite different labels or names.
When beef gets thick, I stick with my Boot Camp Clik (Mr. Rippa)
Referencing their crew and a specific member as a sign of loyalty and support in times of conflict.
Mr. Fix, the awesome real sh-
Introducing another member of their crew as awesome and capable.
No doubt, peep it in ya heart, ya have it made
Encouraging others to believe in themselves and their abilities.
Smif-N-Wessun representin' from the cradle to the grave (yeah)
Asserting their identity and beliefs until the end of their lives.
Now let's get it on
A repetition of the earlier call to start the performance.
Ayy, yo, this is straight up to all the heads
A greeting to their fans.
That step to their biz (check it, check it out)
Referring to fans who are serious about their music and take it seriously.
Get it on everyday like so
Encouraging fans to listen to and appreciate their music daily.
Smif-N-Wessun representin' on the flow
Referring to their prowess at rapping and flowing with music.
Nobody safe
Insinuating their power and aggressiveness towards anyone who disrespects them.
Yeah, in the 90s that's how we do it
A reference to the time period they are in and its particular music style.
We mean business, boy
Stating their seriousness and determination in their music career.
Lyrics © THE ROYALTY NETWORK INC., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: Darryl Yates, Ewart Dewgarde, Tekomin Williams, Walter Dewgarde
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ozrivera
Love that back and forth flow style. They killed it!!
@tysonbiornstad2205
still one of the sickest beats of all time
@earthwormjim420
I like how they sampled the low end from a song and just added drums, nowadays producers usually cut out the low end to add their own bass
@iamknosound
Right? That beat is pretty much saying "fck your beat, I rule."
@rongeojohns7906
I agree
@quincyreadno8751
Indeed
@WhoseIAm7
Filtering homie. Beatminerz are the Kings of this ish.
@FrancisKnoni
that album was legendary! one of these where you can listen the whole thing thru and it's all perfect!
@1Jack804
Legendary is right
@ej6557
This bassline is beyond insane!