Interview met Dray van Das EFX

How is Das EFX been doing?

Chillin ' doin' shows here and there.

It has been 16 years since your first album Dead Serious dropped. How has Das EFX evolved since then?

Well we've been a lot of places seen a lot of things. We've tried to keep our music 'Real Hip-Hop.'

Is it difficult to stay alive as an artist nowadays?

It's always been hard for artists to stay alive. If you don't sell you get dropped. It's all about the numbers.

Is Das EFX currently signed with a label or are you working independently?

We're doin' the indy thing.

Do you prefer releasing albums independently or through a label?

To me it doesn't matter. If you have a good deal with a major, like owning your masters and a good split on the sales, it's good. Indy is also a good way to go to for the obvious reasons, but it's a bit more risky in terms of promotion and money behind the project.

Your last album (How we do) came out five years ago in 2003. I read on the internet that you've got an album planned for release this year. When can we expect it?

Not sure. We want to make sure it's HOT. We need the right producers.

What can we expect from the album musically? Do you stick to your roots? Or has the sound evolved?

A bit of both.

The fans are screaming for a Dead Serious part 2. How's your new album different from your classic debut album?

If we find the producers we will do our thing, but that's like asking M.J to do Thriller pt.2 ..not so easy.

What can we expect lyric wise?

We are still your favorite rapper's favourite rappers.

What producers are making beats for the new record? And are there some guests on the mic ?

Our DJ Rondevu has done some tracks. And we are workin' with some producers from Europe. But we want that BOOM BAP SOUND.

Speaking off DJ Rondevu , I saw you're touring with him now. What happened to DJ Dice?

Nothing. Dice is family. Redman needed a Dj and we weren't doin' many shows at the time so he started rockin ' with Red. >Rondevu is family too, so he stepped in when we got back on the road because Dice was holdin ' Red down.

Last year you did a European tour and this year you're coming again. How do you prepare for touring?

We like touring and have been doin' it for many years. There >ain't much preparing.

So you never rehearse the show?

Only when we add new songs to the line up.

What can we expect from a Das EFX show in 2008?

If you've ever been to a DAS EFX show you know we like to call it a 'party.'

We want our fans to have the time of their lives. We call up mc's from the crowd to freestyle, we do a lot of crowd interaction. We're there for them.

One of my personal favourite albums is Generation EFX. But last year when I rocked with you in the Netherlands you didn't rock any of the joints from that album. Why was that?

No reason. Let us know what joints you like and maybe we'll put them in the show.

Speaking about Generation EFX, on the track 'Change' you talk about Hip-Hop and describe the way it's changed. You also wrote one of my favourite Hip-Hop anthems with 'Real Hip-Hop.' Do you still love Hip-Hop now as much as back in the days?

We owe everything to Hip-Hop. Everything changes and that's just how shit goes. But there's no feelin' like hearing a dope Hip Hop joint .. And if you ask me what Hip-Hop means to me, I'll tell you Hip-Hop means the people with no voice have a voice. It's a way to get your message out. Hip-Hop is also a way to feed your family.

You collaborated with Chubb Rock on the track 'Beef.' On that track you rap Well, it's the riggedy -rhyme dropper, the hip-hopper, you know the name / I ciggedy -can't explain why niggas beefin in the game.
There's also a blog online that you wrote with a clear anti-beef message. Why / how do you think that beef is bad for Hip-Hop?

I just think .. no I know beefin' is WACK, STUPID AND DUMB!! NOTHING GOOD EVER COMES FROM IT. EXAMPLE PAC AND BIG.

 You came up under the wings of EPMD and formed the Hit Squad with PMD. Is Hit Squad still active as a crew?

Yes and no. We could be doin' a lot more as a crew but for some reason we don't.

We are cool, no beef. We just did a show with Epmd in Boston. Hopefully we will do a lot more.

So can we expect projects from Das EFX with EPMD, Hit Squad or Def Squad in the near future?

Hopefully ..

My final question is what's Das EFX ' favourite Das EFX song?

Mine is >Mic >Checka .

Do you have any last words for the visitors of houseofhiphop.nl?

Just thanks to all our fans.

PRIJSVRAAG

Vrijdag 3 oktober treed DAS EFX op in de 013 in Tilburg!
Wil je daar bij zijn? Dat kan! Want we geven 3x2 kaarten weg!
Wat moet je doen? Je moet snel lid worden van de House of Hip Hop HYVES en antwoord geven op de volgende vraag:

Hoe heet het laatste album van Das EFX?

Mail je antwoord naar prijsvraag@houseofhiphop.nl met een link van je Hyves account! En win die kaarten!