Hold It Down by Das EFX (CD, Sep-1995, EastWest America)

If you don't know, you'd better recognize. This Cd is simply one of the best 10 hip hop Cd's ever produced. Much like the Beastie Boys "Licensed to Ill", this is what the old schoolers called a "needle drop" record. That is, no matter where you dropped the turntable needle (or chose the CD track), you were sure to get a smash hit. When DAS EFX first hit the scene, yours truly could not stand them. I didn't get the whole "sewer thing", even after watching FAB FIVE FREDDY interview them in NYC's subway system on YO MTV RAPS back in the day. Well, with time comes wisdom. AN when this album was released, I became a true believer and quite mad at myself for missing the first two albums by this legendary rap squad. After their second album was heavily criticized for getting away from their "iggity" rap flow, HOLD IT DOWN comes back and shoots jabs at critics, other MCs and the growing issues in the rap world--including the move toward "gangsta rap". While Skoob and Dre never went that route, HOLD IT DOWN is hard core, but in a way that stays "true to the streets" without being overly misogynistic or exploitative. The music is awesome, the rap lyrics are genuine and thought provoking. In fact, if you just want a good CD to bob your head to, or you enjoy rappers who actually say something, this CD is not to be missed. In fact, my copy has been played so many times,it may be the first CD in history to be "worn out" from overuse. If you really want to hear the art of rap music in it's truest form, you should have this classic. Absolutely the best.