HOLD IT DOWN -HQ/INSERT-

Das EFX: Skoob, Dray (vocals). Additional personnel: PMD, KRS-One, Pete Rock (vocals); D.J. Dice, George "D.J. Scratch" Spivey (scratches); D-Wade. Producers include: Peter Lewis, D.J. Premier, Easy Mo Bee, Solid Scheme. Taking over hip-hop in 1992, Das EFX introduced their "diggedy-Das" rapping style, which has since been duplicated throughout the industry. Fortunately, no one has come close to mastering Dray and Skoob's trademark rhyming, and the biting MCs have mysteriously disappeared. Now, three albums deep with HOLD IT DOWN, Das EFX maintain their ruffneck image and continue to bring forth the underground sound. Rolling with the Hit Squad (headed by PMD), Das EFX's name is often associated with hardcore hip-hop, and "Real Hip Hop" proves that there is nothing commercial about their music. "No Diggedy"--which in plain English means "No Doubt"--answers the question of whether Das EFX still have the ability to rip the mic. HOLD IT DOWN sports an all-star production cast, with D.J. Premier, Easy Mo Bee, Pete Rock and Showbiz all contributing tracks, but the two rappers ably provide their own musical backdrop on "Buck-Buck," where they rhyme over an old-school-type track. Das EFX stress the fact that they are a "Hardcore Rap Act" with straight-forward lyrics that threaten wack rappers, and beats that use less samples and more scratches. Their main concern is staying true to their audience, while they rock the microphone with original phrases and blunt-inspired concepts.