Smif N Wessun The | All Zip Top

Authentic versions exist in two primary, almost religiously respected colors:

Unlike 99% of hip-hop hoodies of the era which featured a standard center zipper, the "All Zip Top" features a zipper that runs the entire perimeter of the hood. The zipper starts at the bottom left hem, travels up the side, over the crown of the hood, and down the right side. When fully unzipped, the hoodie lays completely flat—a two-dimensional cross of cotton and polyester.

This was a radical design. It mimicked the "full-zip" motorcycle jackets of the 70s but applied to a boxy, oversized hip-hop silhouette.

If you look at the physical CD or cassette release of Dah Shinin’, you’ll notice something immediately iconic: The packaging.

Unlike standard jewel cases that snap shut with a brittle plastic hinge, Smif-N-Wessun’s album came in a soft, clear plastic "zip-top" bag. It was a D.A.I.S.Y. (Drug Abuse Is Suicide, Y’all) age artifact—a rebranding of the old "ziplock" baggies used on the street, turned into a legitimate retail packaging.

To a kid in 1995, that was the coolest thing in the world. It felt like contraband. You didn't just buy an album; you copped it. You unzipped the top, slid the cardboard sleeve out, and inhaled that fresh plastic and ink smell.

Before Jay-Z had the Roc, before Biggie’s Ready to Die blew the lid off, Tek and Steele were holding down the gritty blocks of Brownsville, Brooklyn. Dah Shinin’ is the sound of a New York that doesn't exist anymore: grey skies, Timberlands, hoodies, and the eternal hiss of a gas stove.

Produced entirely by the Beatminerz (Mr. Walt, Evil Dee, and Baby Paul), the album doesn't have a "skip" button. From the haunting piano loop of "Bucktown" to the raw energy of "Wrekonize," the album is a masterclass in that dark, jazz-infused, muddy bass sound that defined the mid-90s.

In an era where hip-hop is disposable—where a song is a viral moment for 72 hours—the story of Smif N Wessun "The All Zip Top" is a refreshing anomaly. It is a track that refuses to be commodified by algorithms.

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."

That exclusivity is the track's superpower. You cannot summon "The All Zip Top" on a voice command to Alexa. You have to dig. You have to ask the old head at the record fair with the grey beard and the gold chain. You have to understand that some of the best music ever made was never meant for the masses.

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.

"The All Zip Top" 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.

In the digital age, finding a true, uncompressed WAV file of Smif N Wessun "The All Zip Top" is considered a rite of passage for Boom Bap collectors. The A-side features the vocal track; the B-side often contains an instrumental and an acapella, highlighting the raw production style of the mid-90s. smif n wessun the all zip top

The obsession with Smif-N-Wessun The All Zip Top is not just nostalgia. It is a longing for a time when hip-hop fashion wasn't dictated by Paris runways but by the streets of Brownsville. It represents a design philosophy that prioritized function (full coverage, warmth, anonymity) over logos.

While Smif-N-Wessun continue to tour and release music (their 2024 album Infinity was a quiet classic), the shadow of the All Zip Top looms large. It is the physical manifestation of their lyrics: rugged, uncompromising, and cleverly designed to survive the elements.

Until Duck Down decides to reissue it (fans have been petitioning for a 30th-anniversary Dah Shinin’ drop), keep digging in the thrift stores of the Tri-State area. Keep scanning the "Vintage Hoodies" lots on ShopGoodwill.

And if you find a black hoodie with a zipper that goes over your head in a complete circle, do not sleep on it. You have found the grail.

The Smif-N-Wessun The All Zip Top isn’t just a piece of clothing. It is a zip code you can wear.

Do you own an original All Zip Top? Contact the Boot Camp Archival Project. We are actively cataloging serial numbers and zipper types for the upcoming reference book "Duck Down: The Fabric of the Clik."

The phrase "Smif-N-Wessun The All zip top" likely refers to the merchandise associated with the Brooklyn duo's sixth studio album, The All, released on February 22, 2019. While the group has a history of high-end streetwear collaborations, including the Bucktown 360 collection featuring hoodies and sweatshirts, the album itself is a significant milestone produced by 9th Wonder and The Soul Council. Album Report: The All (2019) Release & Label: Released via Duck Down Music.

Production: Entirely produced by 9th Wonder and his Soul Council team (Khrysis, Eric G., E. Jones, and Nottz). This marked a shift from their classic gritty sound to a more soulful, polished boom bap.

Key Features: Includes appearances by Rick Ross, Raekwon, Rapsody, Musiq Soulchild, and GQ.

Theme & Style: The project reflects the "growth and maturity" of Tek and Steele, moving away from 90s-era "lyrical mayhem" toward "astute perspectives on the full gamut of life". Style & Merchandise Context

Smif-N-Wessun has always been deeply rooted in New York street style, famously influencing the 90s trend of wearing military surplus and camo fatigues. Their modern apparel often features:

Collaborations: Recent capsules like the one with Urbancoolab include luxury-leaning items like the Bucktown 360 drop-shoulder hoodies and lounge pants.

Aesthetic: Their merchandise often blends "Brooklyn grit" with premium materials, such as the tapestry sets worn by Tek. Notable Tracks Authentic versions exist in two primary, almost religiously

The phrase "the all zip top" refers to the 2019 studio album by Brooklyn hip-hop duo Smif-N-Wessun, titled

The expression "proper piece" for this context most likely refers to the title track

or a standout selection from that specific record, which is entirely produced by 9th Wonder and the Soul Council. Standout "Pieces" from

If you are looking for the most representative or "proper" tracks from this body of work, fans and critics often point to: Smif-N-Wessun - Dah Shinin' Lyrics and Tracklist - Genius

Dah Shinin' Tracklist * Timz N Hood Chek Lyrics. 5.3K. Produced by DJ Evil Dee. Written by Steele & Tek. ... * Wrektime Lyrics. 8.

Here’s a useful short story inspired by the vibe and title Smif-N-Wessun: The All Zip Top — blending streetwear, loyalty, and the practical wisdom of being prepared.

Title: The All Zip Top

Marco ran a small but respected shop called "Brick & Mortar" in the heart of Brooklyn. His specialty was rare hip-hop memorabilia and deadstock streetwear from the '90s. But his most prized item wasn't a pair of shell-toes or a bootleg cassette. It was a black Dickies zip-up hoodie — the "all zip top" — that had allegedly belonged to one half of Smif-N-Wessun, the Boot Camp Clik legends.

The story went that Teck from the duo wore it during the recording of Dah Shinin’. It had a small cigarette burn near the left cuff and a faint stain that looked like coffee — or something stronger. Marco kept it in a glass case, not for sale, but for inspiration.

One rainy Tuesday, a kid named Jay came in. He was 17, skittish, wearing a shiny new bomber jacket that screamed "I don't belong here." He asked, "You got anything that’ll make people respect me?"

Marco didn’t laugh. Instead, he unlocked the case and handed Jay the hoodie. "Put it on."

Jay slipped it over his head. The fabric was heavy, worn soft in the elbows. The zipper went all the way to the top — high enough to hide a smirk or a scar.

"What’s so special?" Jay asked.

Marco leaned on the counter. "Smif-N-Wessun didn’t need chains. They had the all zip top — because on the streets, you don't show your hand. You zip up, stay cool, watch everything. That hoodie says: I'm here, but you don't know what I'm thinking. Respect isn't loud. It's that quiet confidence."

Jay looked in the mirror. For the first time, he didn't see a kid trying too hard. He saw someone calm. Prepared.

Marco handed him a business card. "Keep it for a week. Walk different. Don't start fights — finish them with your silence. Then bring it back."

Jay nodded. Seven days later, he returned the hoodie folded neatly. He’d aced a job interview, walked past two confrontations without flinching, and even helped an old woman carry groceries — all without saying much. People just... moved differently around him.

"Now you get it," Marco said. "The all zip top isn't magic. It's a reminder: zip up your distractions, protect your energy, and move like you've been there before."

Jay bought his first real hoodie that day — not the vintage one, but a new black zip-top from the rack. He never wore the shiny bomber again.

And years later, when he opened his own small studio, the first thing hung on the wall was a framed quote: "Stay above the noise — all zipped, all focused."

Useful takeaway: Like the all zip top, your presence should be intentional — not flashy, but complete. Zip up what doesn’t serve you, keep your center protected, and let your actions speak louder than logos. That’s real street wisdom.

Why is this article so necessary? Because you cannot buy Smif-N-Wessun The All Zip Top at retail. You probably cannot find it on eBay unless you have a saved search that has been running for a decade.

Estimates suggest that only 300-500 units were ever produced. These were not sold in stadiums; they were sold at specific shows:

Most were bought, worn, and destroyed. The cotton-poly blend of the mid-90s was prone to pilling and zipper splitting. To find a deadstock (unworn) All Zip Top today is a six-figure event in the vintage hip-hop market.

In a 2023 auction on Grailed, a heavily faded "Bucktown Blue" All Zip Top with a broken zipper slide sold for $2,800.