Das EFX stormed onto the music scene in the early '90s with “iggity” style and hardcore Timberland-stomping lyrics.  The group was discovered by EPMD during a Virginia talent contest, and soon after the show, they begin working on their first album. The first album they released went platinum, and it made Das EFX a household name. The next three albums all held top ten positions on the Hip-Hop and R&B charts but the group’s music slowly faded away from mainstream airwaves.  That former household name became a joke on The Chappelle Show a few years, as an example of dated urban culture. However, Das EFX, sticking to their guns and glory, are hoping their latest album places them back into the spotlight.

The new album has yet to be titled, but it’s set to drop in early 2008, according to the duo. Das EFX just returned from a European tour this month, and now has plans to hit up several U.S. cities during the summer.  Despite their hectic schedule, the group took time off for a sit down with AllHipHop.com. If rap is in renaissance, Skoob and Dray are living examples.

AllHipHop.com: The last time Das EFX released an album, y'all were on an independent label, is that still true?

Skoob: Absolutely.  Our last album wasn’t really an “album.” You can call it more of an independent mixtape.

AllHipHop.com: What makes this album different from albums in the past? Did you keep your “iggity” style and the same kind of lyrical content, or did you switch things up?

Dray: This album is more mature, but nothing too political, and yeah, we still keep our [signature] Das [EFX] style.

AllHipHop.com: How far along are you on the album? Do you have a favorite song?

Skoob: Nah, no favorite song yet. Right now, we just recording songs and letting them sit. So far, we got four to five joints that we’re comfortable with, but we gonna get up to 12.

AllHipHop.com: Given the popularity of “snap your fingers music,” do you feel any pressure to conform to a certain, perhaps more modern, style?

Skoob: Nah, we ain’t feel no pressure at all.  It’s just not in me to rhyme like that.

Dray: We're tryin’ to bring hardcore beats back.

AllHipHop.com: Dray, you said in a previous interview that when it came to guest appearances, “it’s hard to get in touch with a lot of people that you would like to rock with.” Was that the case for the new album? Were there any guest appearances?

Dray: But we got Steele from Smif-N-Wessun.

Skoob: We haven’t really reached out to too many people yet.

AllHipHop.com: Did you work with any members of EPMD?

Dray: Nah, but its a definite possibly. E [Erick Sermon], holla at me.

AllHipHop.com: What do you hope fans will think after they listen to the album?

Dray: “They still got it, they never lost it.”

Skoob: I just want people to say, “This s**t is hot.”

AllHipHop.com: Take me back in time.  How did you and Dray first hook up at the Virginia State?

Skoob: We met through mutual friends on campus.  Back then, it was only a select group of people that rhymed.  My man who knew Dray was like, “Son right here rhymes.”  Over time, Dray and I started doing demos. We eventually entered a rap contest out in Richmond that was judged by EPMD, and the rest is history.

AllHipHop.com: When you first started working on Dead Serious, were you aware that you were arguably making a Hip-Hop classic?

Dray: We thought it was a rapper’s album. As far as commercially, we thought a few dudes was gonna like it. We ain’t know it was gonna do what it did.

AllHipHop.com: Did you ever feel like other artists copied your style?

Skoob: Yeah, we did, but that’s a done deal though. We used to get mad, but it's cool.  Even Dave Chapelle did a skit where he was like “It’s phiggity phat.”

AllHipHop.com: Did you get a chance to learn from industry heavy hitters? What was it like working with Erick Sermon, Redman and the other members of the Hit Squad? Was there anything specific they taught you?

Skoob: What we really got from them dudes is that you got to make sure your performance is live.  Even if your album doesn’t do what it should, you can make it [successfully] with your shows.

AllHipHop.com:  Speaking of which, are there any upcoming shows that we should know about?

Dray: Yeah, we doin’ a European tour. Our flyer is on our MySpace page. We've also been talking to a promoter out in Baltimore, we may do a show out there. We may be hittin’ up some other U.S. cities as well.

AllHipHop.com: What can people expect from a Das EFX show in 2007?

Dray: It’s not just a show; it’s a Das EFX party. It’s a lot of fun and energy. You can take a look at one of our shows on You Tube.

Skoob: Yeah, the shows are live. We take requests from the audience, so if they got a favorite joint from an old album, they can hear it. People always leave sayin “I had a good ass time.”

AllHipHop.com: As cliche as the question has become, you're from the golden era; agree or disagree, Hip-Hop is dead?

Skoob: Hip-Hop ain’t dead or we wouldn’t be doing what we doing.

AllHipHop.com: Any last parting words you want to leave with your fans?

Dray: Thanks for the support and stay tuned for the new album.