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Das EFX's wildly playful, rapid-fire stuttering -- dense with rhymes and nonsense words -- was one of the most distinctive and influential lyrical styles in early-'90s hip-hop. While the duo completely rewrote the MC rule book, they themselves were increasingly pegged as a one-dimensional novelty the longer their career progressed, despite watching elements of their style creep into countless rappers' bags of tricks. Krazy Drazyz (born Andre Weston; Teaneck, NJ) and Skoob (born Willie Hines) were both raised in Brooklyn, but didn't begin performing together until they met at Virginia State University in 1988. Removed from an active music scene, the two were free to develop their most idiosyncratic tendencies; they started making up gibberish words (anything ending in "-iggity" was a favorite) that added loads of extra syllables to their lines, and wove plenty of pop-cultural references into the tongue-twisting lyrical gymnastics that resulted. Das EFX caught their big break when they performed at a talent show judged by EPMD; though they didn't win, EPMD was impressed enough to offer them a deal, and the duo became part of the Hit Squad crew of protégés.
Signing to the East West label, Das EFX began work on their debut album, commuting between Virginia and New York and mailing tapes to EPMD (then touring the country) for guidance. Upon its release in 1992, Dead Serious caused an immediate sensation, and is still considered something of a landmark in hip-hop circles. The first single, the instantly memorable signature song "They Want EFX," was a Top 40 pop hit and a Top Ten R&B hit, and helped push sales of Dead Serious past the platinum mark. Wary of being pigeonholed by repeating themselves, the duo slowed down their lyrical flow and downplayed the surrealistic side of their interplay on the follow-up album, 1993's Straight Up Sewaside, which went gold. Around the time of 1995's disappointing Hold It Down, Das EFX found themselves caught in the middle of EPMD's ugly breakup; it led to a three-year absence from recording. By the time they returned in 1998 with Generation EFX, the group was playing more to a devoted but narrower cult audience; they have remained largely silent since. Steve Huey, All Music Guide
Dedicated
Das EFX Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dedicated dedicated to all the niggas gettin high
Dedicated dedicated to all the bitches actin fly
Dedicated dedicated to all the niggas runnin game
Dedicated dedicated to all the chicks that do the same
Verse 1: Dray, Skoob
Yo
Well if the honeys think I'm stuck up, I tell em "Shut the fuck up"
and you can get'cha man, I bet a grand he gettin broke up
So whatta you want to fuck around and get silly
Really? We're on the road again just like Willie
Nelson, so what the hell son, no bore ya
Anoy ya when I spill the beans like lawyer
I saw ya, tried to pick my style, hit the balls
I guess you must be ready to die like Biggie Smalls
Diggity good heavens, it all started in the projects like the Evans
but fuck the Good Times, we packin weapons
Want the fortune and the fame kid, you know the name kid, style reign
Puttin MC's through style change
And if you want me then you got to come get me
I'm strictly fuckin niggas up like 1-50-
1, two rum shots chased precise
Two gun shots but it's sheisty, they want to ice
Thinkin I might beat the hurt, I'm not him
And I'ma get paid and fool like Rakim
Chorus (x2)
Verse 2: Dray, Skoob
Well here I come, word, yo this be my third release
I never let the honeys and the moneys get me geese, peace
to the crews payin dues in the background
How my rap sound? Yo Boogie Banger bring it back now
Niggas with the runnin mile, your time's runnin out
I make it happen, niggas slackin, son they dumbin out
Actin fly, jack passed me by
Mmmah - you can kiss that black ass goodbye
No lie, see I fry your crew til they sizzle
Fizzle, you know the sewer style is unbizzle
Bull take a pull, lift your floor money pack
Backs before I put a whoopin on that ass
Ya not get the bones, split the el, stuff it well
Niggas bullshittin wonder how the fuck it sell
Now dig it, me and my man we came wit it
We snuffin motherfuckers out the way and like Riddick
Admit it, I'm right to rough so tighten up
I'm audi for them niggas actin rowdy, lightin blunts, what?
Chorus (x4)
To all the niggas gettin high
Dedicated to all the bitches actin fly
Dedicated to all the niggas runnin game
Dedicated to all the chicks that do the same
Dedicated to all the niggas gettin high
To all the bitches actin fly
Dedicated to all the niggas who on the game kid
Dedicated to all the chicks that do the same
*shout outs*
The intro and chorus of Das EFX's song, "Dedicated," pay tribute to different groups of people. The artists are dedicated to those who are getting high and those who are acting fly, or presenting themselves as fashionable, attractive, or confident. They also salute those who are running game, using their charm, wits or deception to get what they want, as well as the women who are doing the same. Das EFX's lyrics in this song speak to the streets, conveying a sense of toughness and street savvy that is celebrated and admired.
In verse one, Dray and Skoob launch into a rapid-fire rap with clever wordplay and intricate rhymes. They boast about their style and success, with Dray telling off anyone who thinks he's "stuck up," and declaring that he can easily take a rival's man. He compares their road life to that of Willie Nelson, an icon of the country genre, and warns that he'll spill the beans like a lawyer, should anyone come after him. Skoob joins in and claims that the duo's success all started in the projects before stating that they are packing weapons and aiming for fortune and fame. They assert that their style reigns supreme, and that they put MCs through style changes. Dray continues his aggressive flow, saying that if anyone wants him, they'll have to come get him, as he's busy "fuckin niggas up." He likens himself to armed robber 1-50-1, warning that he's not the type to beat around the bush or take any crap. Instead, he promises that he'll get paid just like Rakim, a rap icon known for his lyrical prowess and rhythmic flow.
In verse two, Dray takes center stage again, announcing his third release with pride. He boasts that he never lets money or women get in the way, and thanks other groups for paying their dues in the background, allowing him to shine. Skoob jumps in with a warning that naysayers' time is up and that if they don't take action, they'll miss out. The artists continue with their tough talk, encouraging others to tighten up, and boasting about their ability to snuff out their rivals like Riddick. They describe their style as bizzle, unbizzle sewer, and deliver a final admonition to anyone who dares to cross them that they'll be "audi," or out of there in a hurry.
Overall, "Dedicated" is a complex and multi-layered ode to street life, with Das EFX's lyrics showcasing their mastery of wordplay and intricate rhymes. They celebrate toughness, street smarts, and success, while also acknowledging the potential dangers of life on the streets.
Line by Line Meaning
Dedicated dedicated to all the niggas gettin high
This song is dedicated to all the men who enjoy getting high.
Dedicated dedicated to all the bitches actin fly
This song is also dedicated to all the women who act flamboyant and confident.
Dedicated dedicated to all the niggas runnin game
This song shows appreciation for men who are smooth and skilled at flirting and getting what they want.
Dedicated dedicated to all the chicks that do the same
Women who are also great at playing the game of seduction are also being recognized in this song.
Well if the honeys think I'm stuck up, I tell em "Shut the fuck up"
If women mistakenly perceive arrogance or aloofness in his demeanor, he doesn't hesitate to dismiss them rudely.
and you can get'cha man, I bet a grand he gettin broke up
He's so confident of his fighting abilities that he challenges others to bet on their man and promises his man will emerge victorious.
So whatta you want to fuck around and get silly
He warns others not to play around like children and to take things seriously.
How my rap sound? Yo Boogie Banger bring it back now
He wants his DJ to repeat his verse because he's proud of his work and wants to be heard again.
And if you want me then you got to come get me
He's not one to back down from a challenge and dares anyone to come after him.
Actin fly, jack passed me by
He doesn't tolerate arrogance or boasting and will ignore anyone who flaunts themselves.
Niggas bullshittin wonder how the fuck it sell
He sees through the deception and phoniness of those who pretend to be successful.
We snuffin motherfuckers out the way and like Riddick
He and his crew take care of anyone who stands in their way; using the reference to the character Riddick to illustrate how capable they are of eliminating threats.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: WILLIAM D HINES, ANDRE G WESTON, CLARK DJ, RICHARD STEACKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
MrGooie
Close your eyes and let the rhythm hit you
chris jefferson
Shit got real in '95...
Carlos Belloso
One Of My Favorites Track in This Album! Hold It Down - Das Efx
Real Hip Hop 4 Ever......!
Robert Avery
that album was dop and still is
B👀M
Esta canción de Das Efx utiliza el sample de un tema anterior de la rapera "sah-b" (Some ol' sah-b shit) el cual es muy bueno.
brian barasa
I used to play this song in my r n b remixes ,dope 👨
erickonasis
fucking classic
cuatro veinte
i came here for the tricky intro in the song ''keep your mouth shut'' <3
Keepit Ahunnid
Good memories!
EXISTENTIAL THREAT
I'm born in 1972..this music is JAZZY...YOU KIDS CAN'T FOOL ME..IM NOT MLK..OR MALCOLM..U CAN RAP BOUT MURDER BUT U GOTTA HAVE SKILLS.