Critically-acclaimed, the album earned 4 mics from The Source and played a role in changing the sound of hip hop at the time. While only three songs would be officially released from the album, it was enough to propel Dead Serious sales, helping it reach platinum status by 1993. An overall solid album, main highlights included "Jussumen," "If Only," "Straight Out the Sewer" and "Klap Ya Handz." Though "Mic Checka" didn't perform as well on the charts as its predecessor, it still made quite the impact on rap music fans far and wide, landing them in the #1 spot on the Hot Rap Singles chart once again. Their individual delivery and flows fit together perfectly as they tag-teamed back and forth as they traded verses.Ärayz and Skoob kept the momentum going with the release of their second single, "Mic Checka." Equally as grimy as their debut, the song further cemented their place as one of the hip-hop acts to watch. As a duo, their chemistry was undeniable. Dressed in mostly all black from head-to-toe, Das and crew put on their best menacing looks, with Skoob and Drayz punctuating their lyrics with animated gestures. With their sound coming "straight from the sewer," their videos brought that description to life, usually showing the guys wandering dark, sinister-looking tunnels. Just as they had cultivated a unique sound, Drayz and Skoob also crafted a distinct image. The song landed them on several Billboard charts and reached the top spot on both the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales and Hot Rap Singles charts. They were distinctively New York, yet able to appeal to music fans from all corners of the world. Though we may not have known what the heck they were talking about, it didn't stop us from memorizing the words and nodding our heads to the music. Overnight, "They Want EFX" was in regular rotation everywhere. The one-two punch of the driving beat combined with their unique lexicon proved to be a risk worth taking. Their raw, dark production provided just enough edge to appeal to even the hardest of listeners, while their inventive words and random, yet nostalgic imagery made it easy for anybody to sing along. I mean, who else was just making up words and throwing random references to everything from children's nursery rhymes to cereal to Chubby Checker? All of the factors were in place to make Das EFX stand out from the growing rap industry at the time. "Bum stiggidy bum stiggidy bum!" he boomed, making it clear that these were not going to be your typical lyrics. Although it was likely the James Brown sample that caught your attention, it was unequivocally Drayz's opening verse that reeled folks in hook, line and sinker. And just like that, Drayz and Skoob were introduced to the rest of the world with a bang. It was while they were still students that the two recorded what would become their breakout hit, "They Want EFX." The song leaked to the public to the public early, demand prompting the label to move the release date of Dead Serious up. After catching the attention of EPMD members Erick Sermon and Parish Smith, the two inked a deal with East West Records under the guidance of Sermon and Smith. However, it would be their love of hip hop that would send them on a meteoric rise to the top. Although one was from Brooklyn and the other from New Jersey, Virginia State University would bring Andre "Krazy Drayz" Weston and William "Skoob" Hines together. The story of Das EFX began like so many other groups before and after them - in college. Long before Snoop Dogg decided to cultivate his own form of speech by tacking on "izzle" to everything, this East Coast duo turned the music world upside down with the innovative style and wordplay featured on their game-changing debut album, Dead Serious. If you are anything like me, then that was likely your reaction the first time you heard Das EFX back in 1992.