SMTH

'STEEZ was a wizard with words to say the least,' SMTH says.

Two words: "The end." It was a tweet that came from Jamal Dewar, more commonly known as Capital STEEZ, on Dec. 23, 2012. No one knew what it meant or what it referred to until a day later, when the 19 year-old took his own life.

Capital STEEZ's unfortunate and untimely death is still a concern to the hip-hop community several months later, and although we may never be able to pinpoint what led to this tragedy, one fact is for certain: STEEZ left an impression on not only the New York streets that raised him, but the world, too.

Today The Juice is premiering "Last Straw," the last song STEEZ recorded before his death. The song, a part of Brooklyn-based rapper SMTH's mixtape, "The SMTH Project," was recorded five days prior to STEEZ's passing.
Inspired by artists such as Jay-Z, Michael Jackson and Prince, SMTH began rapping at 12 years-old, his lyrical talents resulting in a nomination for "Street Album Of The Year" at the Justo Mixtape Awards in 2008. With "The SMTH Project," SMTH continues to prove his worth as he makes the transition from underground to mainstream rapper, enlisting the help of fellow rappers Sean Price, Ril Eazy, Maffew Ragazino and the late Capital STEEZ.

Produced by DJ Spinna, "Last Straw" is a testament to what STEEZ's lyrical abilities were capable of, and how much potential the young man had. The anger and frustration behind every line he spits embodies whatever troubles were plaguing him during his final days, his verse disappearing as quick as it appeared.

"STEEZ was a wizard with words to say the least," SMTH tells The Juice. "Between our verses and the ill beat from DJ Spinna I knew this was something special. I'm just thankful to say I've worked with someone who cared about creating real hip-hop just as much as me."

STEEZ was always an integral part in Flatbush's thriving hip-hop scene. He's credited for bringing together Pro Era, Flatbush Zombies and the Underachievers under the popular Beast Coast umbrella, with the groups creating some of New York's most acclaimed hip-hop.

But, along with being a hip-hop diplomat, STEEZ was a lyrical wordsmith. For most of us, our first introduction to the young rapper was when he guested on fellow Pro Era cohort Joey Bada$$'s "Survival Tactics." STEEZ's raps were precise and impressionable, and once he dropped his own mixtape, "AmeriKKKan Korruption," it was safe to assume that the rapper would be next in line for the Pro Era takeover.

STEEZ wanted to be a superhero and in a way, he was one: a man whose legacy will continue to live on for years to come.
By Elijah Watson, N.Y. - Elijah Watson for billboards

Certainly a bitter sweet moment for the hip-hop community as SMTH releases the last song recorded by Pro Era rapper Capital STEEZ before his untimely death on Dec. 23, 2012. Recorded just five days before the 19 year old took his life, a frustrated STEEZ appears on “Last Straw” making apparent the woes that badgered him during his final days.
A track off of SMTH’s mixtape The SMTH Project, the lyrical cut was produced by DJ Spinna. SMTH describes Capital as a rap genius telling The Juice, “STEEZ was a wizard with words to say the least. Between our verses and the ill beat from DJ Spinna I knew this was something special. I’m just thankful to say I’ve worked with someone who cared about creating real hip-hop just as much as me.”

Read More: Listen To SMTH’s “Last Straw” Featuring Capital STEEZ’s Last Recorded Verse - XXL | http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/new-music/2013/07/listen-to-smths-last-straw-featuring-capital-steezs-last-recorded-verse/?trackback=tsmclip

Capital STEEZ is often credited with joining Pro Era, Flatbush Zombies and the Underachievers under the Beast Coast umbrella, the group of New York youngins noticeably making their mark on the music scene. STEEZ was first introduced to the masses appearing on Joey Bada$$’s “Survival Tactics.”– Miranda Johnson

Read More: Listen To SMTH’s “Last Straw” Featuring Capital STEEZ’s Last Recorded Verse - XXL | http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/new-music/2013/07/listen-to-smths-last-straw-featuring-capital-steezs-last-recorded-verse/?trackback=tsmclip - XXL Staff

But the night kept getting more hyped and the crowd's energy was building along with it. The Underachievers took the stage as the sun officially set, running through a slew of songs from their debut mixtape Indiegoism and their latest solo project, Cellar Door, including "Sun Through Rain" and "Amorphus." Mick Jenkins, Justine Skye, Bodega Bamz, Vashtie and 2015 XXL Freshman Raury all rolled through as Flatbush Zombies' set began to the loudest cheers of the night, while Ab-Soul and his girlfriend Yaris Sanchez hung out behind the scenes.
...But that was just the beginning; Ab-Soul then took the stage for his track "Terrorist Threats," rocking at the front of the stage with Joey going crazy beside him. The next to take the stage was A$AP Ferg, who hadn't been spotted backstage before then, who came out as the crowd erupted and asked the crowd to put their hands in the air for both STEEZ and A$AP Yams. Ferg then launched into "Work," which flowed seamlessly into "Shabba Ranks" and threw things onto another level. A moment of silence was called and Pro Era all took a knee on stage and turned to the projector behind them as a video tribute to Capital STEEZ played on screen. As STEEZ's mother, sisters, nephew and other family members watched from the side, Pro Era huddled for a moment in the middle of the stage before launching into "Survival Tactics," Joey's breakout song off 1999 that featured STEEZ and did more than anything to that point to launch Pro Era's hip-hop dreams and expose their balanced and insightful lyricism to the masses. - Amanda Hatfield