I shouldn’t be so critical with Das Efx’s Sophomore release “Straight up sewaside” considering everything that happened during the production of this release. I really didn’t know what a “Sophomore jinx” was until I picked up this album. (and it was a bootleg copy too from the Philippines!) I didn’t actually pick up the album until 2 weeks ago when I found it in a bargain bin for ¢25 cents. Now that I’m much older, I think a more deserving review is in order. “Straight up sewaside” isn’t that bad, it’s just the least popular release of the 4 albums out. (did you know Das dropped an album in 2003 entitled “How we do”, I didn’t! That’s why I’m not including it in my analysis of Das Efx culture, lol) A number of events also occured during the recording of this album that changed the course of it’s continuity.

Problems? Lets get down with the obvious… Das had developed a creative lyrical style that blended a fast-paced “ragga-ish” flow ending with “”iggity…” As the masses took notice, several elements of their delivery were adopted by other hip-hop artists, including The Lords of the Underground, Fu-Schnickens, Kris Kross (JD’s camp bites everything!) and even Common (sense) hopped on board with his rendition of the free flowing lyrical twists. The style obviously became very common for other groups to imitate, having Das Efx become an ever growing trend that was eventually “played out” and presumed a fad. Second, Das EFX found themselves caught in the middle of EPMD’s unfortunate breakup splitting EPMD’s camp with K-Solo and Das Efx rolling with PMD while Redman and Keith Murray join Sermon’s group. (who seemed to find more commercial success and a long standing track records of solid albums)

Although “Straight up sewaside” wasn’t there best release it had it’s moments. I think my biggest gripe was how 1 dimensional the entire album was. I couldn’t set apart each track without referring all of them as sounding the same. “Freak it” was a great commercial hit but it sounded like everything else. PMD tried to do his thing, he kept “Straight up sewaside” as gully and hard as they possibly could imagine but it became very bland and 1-sided as a packaged product. I think the best track on the album would be the last cut “Host Wit Da Most “ remix that featured a rough and rugged PMD making a guest appearance, I think it opened the door as a taste of what was expected in their next album. If you come accross any singles from “Straight up sewaside” you’re in for a treat which boasts remixes, long with guest appearances by PMD.

While Hip-Hop began moving forward, I think this effort was panned by critics and fans going that direction… what a shame. Thank goodness for “Hold it down!” Their 3rd release posted below!

Check out the “Freak it Remix”