The Rude Awakening is the second studio album by American hip hop duo Smif-N-Wessun. It was released on March 31, 1998, via Priority Records under the name Cocoa Brovaz. The duo was forced to drop their original name after they were sued by the Smith & Wesson firearms company. Production was handled by several record producers, including Da Beatminerz, Sean C, Self, Shaleek, Shawn J Period and member Steele.

The Rude Awakening
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 31, 1998 (1998-03-31)
Recorded1997–98
Studio
  • D&D (New York City)
  • Trophsphere (New Jersey)
  • Streetlight (New York City)
  • Unique Studios (New York City)
GenreHip hop
Length1:06:23
Label
Producer
Cocoa Brovaz chronology
Dah Shinin'
(1995)
The Rude Awakening
(1998)
Smif 'n' Wessun: Reloaded
(2005)
Singles from The Rude Awakening
  1. "Won on Won"
    Released: 1997
  2. "Bucktown USA"
    Released: 1998
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
RapReviews7/10[2]

The album peaked at number 21 on the Billboard 200 and number 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The lead single from the album was "Black Trump", which features Raekwon of the Wu-Tang Clan. Their 1997 single "Won On Won" from the Soul in the Hole soundtrack is included here, as well as the singles "Spanish Harlem" and "Bucktown USA".

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Off the Wall" (featuring Professor X and Jahdan Blakkamoore)
Shawn J. Period5:13
2."Still Standin Strong"
  • Williams
  • Yates Jr.
  • J. Smith
  • Triple Beam
4:00
3."Won on Won"Sean Cane3:57
4."Live at the Garden" (Skit)  0:40
5."Blown Away" (featuring Buckshot)
4:22
6."Money Talks"  0:49
7."The Cash"
  • Yates Jr.
  • Williams
  • Richard Ahee
Filthy Rich3:57
8."Black Trump" (featuring Raekwon)
Lord Self4:24
9."Dry Snitch" (featuring Smack Man and Head Arabic)
  • Williams
  • Yates Jr.
  • Thad Williams
  • T. French
  • Kenneth Furs
Suite 12004:30
10."Game of Life" (featuring F.L.O.W.)
  • Williams
  • Yates Jr.
  • Furs
  • Suite 1200
  • Steele
5:47
11."Back 2 Life"
  • Williams
  • Yates Jr.
  • Jeff Brown
Jeff "JB" Brown3:51
12."Bucktown USA"
Mr. Walt4:00
13."What They Call Him (Skit)" (featuring Big Ol Pimp Cook)W.T. White 1:00
14."Hold It Down" (featuring Storm)
  • Williams
  • Yates Jr.
  • Greg Johnson
  • Wray
  • Hinson
  • Sir Gav
  • Keyloard
  • Self (co.)
4:56
15."Spanish Harlem" (featuring Hurricane G and Tony Touch)
Mr. Walt4:09
16."Myah Angelow" (featuring Sean Price and Deidra Artis)
Baby Paul5:12
17."Memorial" (featuring Eek-A-Mouse)
Shaleek5:36
Total length:1:06:23

Music videos

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  • "Won on Won"
    Released: 1997
  • "Black Trump"
    Director: G. Thomas
    Released: 1998
  • "Spanish Harlem"
    Released: 1998

Charts

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Chart (1998) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[3] 21
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[4] 3

Singles chart positions

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Year Song Chart positions
Billboard Hot 100 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot Rap Singles
1997 "Won on Won" - #94 -
1998 "Bucktown USA" - - #47

References

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  1. ^ Stanley, Leo. "The Rude Awakening - Cocoa Brovaz | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  2. ^ T., Pete (April 2, 2013). "Cocoa Brovaz :: The Rude Awakening :: Duck Down/Priority". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  3. ^ "Cocoa Brovaz Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  4. ^ "Cocoa Brovaz Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
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