“The Rude Awakening”

Cocoa Brovaz

Most gun manufacturers would be happy at the amount of free publicity generated by a rap group naming themselves after their product.

Smith and Wesson apparently wasn’t. They filed a lawsuit against the group Smif-N-Wessun, whose debut album “Dah Shinin” is considered a cult classic of hardcore New York hip-hop.

Now reformed as the Cocoa Brovaz, the rap duo who are also members of New York’s Boot Camp Clik come back with a strong sophomore LP.

Tek and Steele refuse to let the issue go lightly, as they discuss how vexed they are on “Off the Wall.”

“I got subpoenaed by the government, the other day/I opened it and read it; it said they was suin … ain’t that the most off the wall shit you heard in your life?” Steele raps.

The strength of this duo lies in its strong musical backdrop and the bond between Tek and Steele, reminiscent of rap pioneers Run-D.M.C.

Both MC’s are strong enough to hold their own solo but formidable enough to demolish the competition.

“As I meditate and demonstrate, verbal earthquakes/break you down like a junkie with a case of shakes,” Tek raps on “Still Standin Strong.”

Songs such as “Bucktown USA” and “Spanish Harlem” illustrate the areas they live and roll in, while others such as “Money Talks” and “The Cash” describe the hustle to get money and survive.

In the end, it doesn’t matter what the group is called — Tek and Steele continue to blow holes in the industry with their hardcore NY style and tight rhymes.

3 1/2 stars out of five

— Steve “Flash” Juon