Smif N Wessun The All Zip Top

In the sprawling tapestry of 1990s hip-hop, few acts have maintained the gritty, unvarnished authenticity of Smif-N-Wessun. The Brooklyn duo—comprised of Tekomin "Tek" Williams and Darrell "Steele" Yates—has long been revered as cornerstones of the Boot Camp Clik. While casual fans know their seminal debut, Dah Shinin’ , true aficionados ride for the deep cuts, the B-sides, and the rare promotional pieces. Among the most sought-after and discussed relics in their discography is the elusive track and accompanying merchandise known as "The All Zip Top."

The next time you see a dusty 12-inch in a "Just Arrived" bin at your local record store, look closely. If you spot those two words— Zip Top —do not hesitate. Grab it. Because unlike the streaming giants that flatten music into background noise, records like demand your full attention. They ask you to zip up, brave the cold, and remember a time when hip-hop was crafted for the listeners who lived on the corners, not the charts.

This article unpacks the history, the fashion, and the sonic landscape of explaining why this niche piece of 1995-96 hip-hop culture remains a holy grail for record collectors and streetwear enthusiasts alike. The Origin: From Dah Shinin’ Outtakes to Promo-Only Vinyl To understand "The All Zip Top," one must rewind to the winter of 1995. Smif-N-Wessun had just dropped Dah Shinin’ under the wing of DJ Evil Dee and Mr. Walt of Da Beatminerz. The album was a masterpiece of dark, looping jazz samples and stoic street narrations. However, during those sessions, the duo recorded more material than could fit on a single LP. smif n wessun the all zip top

As a result, lives in the shadows. You won’t find it on the official Smif-N-Wessun artist page. You will find it on YouTube, uploaded by dedicated fans, often accompanied by a grainy photo of the original vinyl label. You might find it on SoundCloud under bootleg podcast accounts.

Bucktown stand up.

was born as a promotional exclusive. It never landed on the official tracklist of Dah Shinin’ , nor did it appear on the group’s later major label releases. Instead, the track was pressed in very limited quantities—likely fewer than 500 copies—as a 12-inch promo single distributed to select New York radio stations (WKCR, Hot 97) and specialty record shops like Beat Street.

For Tek and Steele, the song remains a deep cut they occasionally acknowledge in interviews. When asked about their favorite obscure tracks, Steele once told The Crate 808 : "That ‘All Zip Top’ joint? That was for the neighborhood. We made that specifically for the fellas who used to meet us at the barbershop. You had to be there." In the sprawling tapestry of 1990s hip-hop, few

Vintage fashion archives have noted a resurgence in interest for "The All Zip Top" specifically because of the song. In the last five years, resale platforms like Grailed and Depop have seen sellers tagging their vintage Fila, Pelle Pelle, and Avirex jackets with the keyword to command higher prices. It has transcended music to become a style keyword. The Rarity: Why You Can’t Stream It (Officially) Ask any DJ why they work so hard to track down "Smif N Wessun The All Zip Top," and they will give you a simple answer: Sample clearance.