By Odeisel

Pete Rock has been in the studio with Smif N Wessun over the past year as sole producer on the next project (Monumental) from the Duck Down Duo. Raekwon’s work ethic and output over the last year and change doesn’t even have to be mentioned. Those forces added together can’t help but “Prevail,” also the name of their lead single.

Pete employs a couple of the horns that made him legend famous for to add light to a plodding drum and a relatively slow bpm construction. A sample of Nas’ “Ain’t Hard To Tell” gives the prevail necessary for the track’s title. Pete talks low on the ad lib tip, something that Puffy stole from him on the road to the riches and diamond rings.

Tek leads of pounding his chest  about the group’s longevity (15 years) surviving long enough to still be able to tell his own tale, looking down on the skinny jean era,brushing haters off, and focusing on getting the paper. Raekwon gets a change of beat that gives the song a similar feel to “Criminology” in rhythm, minus the big brass and booming drums. Rae delivers his typical cryptic Shaolin-powered lingo, paying homage to the brothers from Buck Town while letting cats know not to reach or get rained on with the rat-tat-tat.

Steele takes the anchor leg of the track and simulates the Shaolin delivery of Rae while adding his own Brooklyn spin on it. His sandy, laid-back normal delivery is gone on this one, opting for a more assertive flow and it works well on this track. It does however make it more difficult than normal to discern who is who when they pass the mic back and forth mid verse.

It’s a posse cut worth listening to, just for the stars aligned but also because it’s actually good. Pete doesn’t over do the horns or the talking undertone while the three MC’s don’t try anything cute. Cruise control killers. The “Prevail.” Enjoy.

Smif N Wessun Feat. Raekwon (Prod. by Pete Rock) -“Prevail”

Pete Rock & Smif N Wessun Feat Raekwon-Prevail

Follow Us on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/planetill

Follow Odeisel on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/odeisel

Join Us on the Planet Ill Facebook Group for more discussion

Follow us on Networked Blogs