Description
Das EFX – Hold It Down – Double 180 Gram Vinyl Records
Hold It Down is the third studio album by the American hip-hop duo Das EFX, released on September 26, 1995. Known for their distinctive, fast-paced flow and complex, playful lyricism featuring numerous puns and alliterations, Das EFX made a significant mark in the early 90s hip-hop scene. Hold It Down continued to showcase their unique style, though it also marked a shift towards a slightly more conventional and accessible sound compared to their earlier work.
After the success of their debut album “Dead Serious” and follow-up “Straight Up Sewaside,” Das EFX found themselves contending with a shifting hip-hop landscape where the East Coast renaissance was in full swing with the rise of hardcore and gangsta themes. For “Hold It Down,” Das EFX worked with an impressive roster of producers, including DJ Premier, Easy Mo Bee, and Pete Rock, among others. This high-profile production team helped the album achieve a sound that was both true to the roots of East Coast hip-hop and appealing to a broader audience.
Hold It Down features tighter production and more structured compositions than Das EFX’s earlier, more freewheeling releases. The duo toned down their once-signature style of iggedy rhymes slightly to align more closely with the mainstream expectations without completely abandoning their unique delivery. Tracks like “Real Hip-Hop” and “Microphone Master” showcase their sharp lyricism and dynamic vocal interplay, while “No Diggedy” has them playing with smoother flows over soulful beats.
Reception and Impact
The album received generally positive reviews from critics who appreciated the evolution in the group’s sound and the high-quality production. “Hold It Down” performed reasonably well commercially, peaking at #16 on the Billboard 200 and #4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Despite this, it didn’t manage to produce a major hit single, and over time, Das EFX would fade somewhat from the mainstream view as the hip-hop world continued to evolve.
Hold It Down may not have had the commercial impact of Das EFX’s debut, it is often looked back on favorably by hip-hop aficionados for its lyrical prowess and solid production. It represents an important era in hip-hop where lyrical dexterity and complex rhymes were highly valued, serving as a bridge between the golden age of the early ’90s and the more polished sounds that would follow.
For fans of early ’90s hip-hop, Hold It Down offers a deeper dive into the skills and creativity of Das EFX, highlighting their contribution to hip-hop’s evolution and their place within the genre’s rich history. The album is a testament to their artistic growth and their ability to adapt to the changing tastes of the hip-hop audience while staying true to their core stylistic elements.
Classic Album
180 gram audiophile vinyl pressing
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Intro (Once Again)
No Diggedy
Knockin’ Niggaz Off
Here We Go
Real Hip Hop (Original Version)
Here It Is
Microphone Master
40 & A Blunt
Buck-Buck
Intro
Can’t Have Nuttin’
Alright
Hold It Down
Dedicated
Ready To Rock Ruff Rhymes
Represent The Real
Comin’ Thru
Hardcore Rap Act
Bad News
Real Hip Hop (Pete Rock Remix)
