As I’ve mentioned previously, I’ve been working with TEK (of Smif-N-Wessun) on his latest solo album, entitled 24Kt Smoke. Well, two weeks ago during the recording session for Grind With Me, produced by S-Type, TEK took the time out to sit down for an interview with me and WeLiveThis.com. The interview touched upon a wide range of topics, from the creation of Smif-N-Wessun to the reason for not releasing their album on Rawkus to comparisons between artists and the industry from 93 to today and the announcement of a new Smif-N-Wessun album entirely produced by The Chocolate Boy Wonder, Pete Rock. Also, at the end of the interview, catch a snippet of New Love by TEK produced by Drawzilla, which will be featured on 24Kt Smoke.

In part one of the interview, TEK talks about how he got started in the industry and how Smif-N-Wessun was born as a hip hop duo. In his answer to this question, TEK said, “During our high school days, we went to school with a bunch of industry dudes, like even dudes that didn’t go there would shoot through. Rakim used to shoot through.. Chubb Rock used to come through…” He goes on to speak on his early role before Smif-N-Wessun linked up with Blackmoon and the need to create a name for themselves that would always make fans think of one if they thought of other.

When asked about the making of Dah Shinin’, TEK talks about recording at the Beatminerz home studio, and how Bucktown wasn’t even supposed to be theirs. TEK reveals “Actually, Bucktown was supposed to been, actually, for Blackmoon or Heltah Skeltah, but they ain’t like it.. that was actually supposed to be the B-Side for another joint called Nothin’ Move But The Money All About The Cash.”

Later in part one of the interview, TEK spoke on the Rawkus album and why it never dropped, and then about how they’ve changed names throughout the years due to legality issues. TEK said, “Cocoa Brovaz was actually the name before Smif-N-Wessun.. but they really couldn’t come out with that as a name, so we revamped and came out with Smif-N-Wessun.”