Hailing from Bucktown, a borderless place where otherwisewarring Brooklyn neighborhoods find peace, hip-hop duo Smif-N-Wessun, aka Tek and General Steele, are recognized and respected worldwide for their steady lyrical control.

Their presence commands with simple Timberlands, and since their debut in on Black Moon’s Enta Da Stage, and an appearance soon after on Mary J. Blige’s “I Love You” remix from her chart-topping sophomore album, My Life, Smif-N-Wessun never once strayed. They’ve never gone pop.

In true hip hop form, Tek and Steele flipped the spelling –– and meaning –– of a common device often used against the community. Like “bad” became “good,” Smif-N-Wessun became a nod to our most powerful life-giving force.

However, as swiftly as Smif-N-Wessun jumped out the holster, the gun company sent a cease and desist as thick as a book, muffling their merchandising potential the same year they released. Undeterred, Tek and Steele changed their moniker to the Cocoa Brovaz for their next LP, Rude Awakening.

Smif-N-Wessun also believes in working with the next generation and contributing to making the world a better place at the grassroots level. They are working with BKLYN.Combine.com, a non-profit community organization, focused on working with schools, city officials and to help provide critical education, leadership and social support programs to young adults. Tek and Steele also participated in the Black Men's Health Expo in Brooklyn on a panel discussing the importance of preventative health care.

Real hip-hop followers can stay in the know with tour news and more from Tek and Steele via smifnwessun.com.