Name	Mic Checka
Cover	DasEFXMicCheckaSingle.jpg
Artist	Das EFX
Album	Dead Serious
Released	July 16, 1992
Genre	Hip hop, East Coast hip hop
Length	4:54
Label	East West/Atlantic
Last single	"They Want EFX" (1992)
This single	"Mic Checka" (1992)
Next single	"Straight Out the Sewer" (1992)

"Mic Checka" is a song by American hip hop group Das EFX recorded for their debut album Dead Serious (1992). The song was released as the second single for the album in July of 1992.

Track listings

;12", Vinyl #"Mic Checka" (Remix) - 5:08 #"Mic Checka" (Remix Instrumental) - 5:10 #"Mic Checka" (LP Version) - 4:55 #"Jussumen" (Remix) - 4:54 #"Jussumen" (Remix Instrumental) - 4:56

;CD #"Mic Checka" (Edit) - 4:06 #"Mic Checka" (Remix Edit) - 4:10 #"Mic Checka" (LP Version) - 4:52 #"Mic Checka" (Remix) - 5:07

Personnel

Information taken from Discogs.

executive production: EPMD

production: Solid Scheme (Chris Charity, Derek Lynch)

remixing: Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, Solid Scheme

Chart performance

{|class="wikitable sortable" !align="left"|Chart (1992) !align="center"|Peak
position |- |align="left"|U.S. Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales |align="center"|10 |- |align="left"|U.S. Hot R&B;/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks |align="center"|22 |- |align="left"|U.S. Hot Rap Singles |align="center"|1 |}

Notes

Category:1992 singles Category:Das EFX songs Category:Hip hop songs

Name	Das EFX
Background	group_or_band
Origin	Petersburg, Virginia, U.S.
Genre	Hip-Hop Hardcore Hip Hop
Years active	1988–present
Label	East West Records/Atlantic Records
Associated acts	EPMD, Hit Squad
Current members	Krazy Drayzy Skoob (Books in reverse)

Das EFX is an American hip hop duo. It consists of emcees Skoob (also known as Books, born William "Willie" Hines on November 27, 1970) and Dre (also known as Krazy Drayzy, born Andre Weston on September 9, 1970). They rose to popularity in the early 1990s due to their affiliation with EPMD's Hit Squad and the duo's stream of consciousness lyrical delivery, which became one of the most influential lyrical styles in hip hop music during the early 1990s. Their style combined nonsensical lines with a fast-paced flow (that included words that end with "-iggedy") and numerous pop culture references.

History

Member Skoob hails from Brooklyn, New York City while Krazy Drayzy hails from Teaneck, New Jersey but the two met at Virginia State University in 1988 and began performing together. They named themselves "Das" standing for "Drayz and Skoob" and "EFX" meaning "effects". Das EFX caught the attention of EPMD at a local talent show where, despite losing the competition, they did well enough to convince EPMD to sign them to a recording contract. The duo gained critical and commercial fame with the release of their landmark debut album, Dead Serious, which highlighted their unusual rapping style which they nicknamed "sewage".

Dead Serious went platinum and its lead single, "They Want EFX," (which contains samples from James Brown's "Blind Man Can See It" and Malcolm McLaren's "Buffalo Gals") reached the top ten on Billboard magazine's R&B; chart, the top 40 on its Hot 100 Singles chart and #1 on its Hot Rap Tracks chart. Follow-up singles "Mic Checka" and "Straight Out the Sewer" did not chart on the Hot 100 but reached #1 and #3 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart, respectively.

The duo also made a guest appearance on Ice Cube's smash hit single "Check Yo Self". The song reached #20 on the Hot 100 and #1 on the Rap Tracks chart. Their refrain of "Chiggedy-check yo self before you wriggedy-wreck yo self" became a catchphrase in 1993. The song has since appeared in the videogame , playing on the radio station Radio Los Santos.

From the time of their debut in 1992 to 1993, several elements of their style were adopted by other hip-hop artists, including the Lords of the Underground, The Fu-Schnickens, Kris Kross, Common and even, to a lesser extent, Public Enemy. The iggedy style was also referenced in the 1996 BLACKstreet song "No Diggity" with "diggity" meaning "doubt". This also became popular catchphrase at the time. Jay-Z's early style is described by Vibe magazine as "a distinctly Das EFX-type, stiggety style" on his 12" single "Can't Get With That", though this is the type of delivery he along with his mentor, Jaz-O, exhibited on the track The Originators in 1989.

As their career progressed, however, Das EFX's once-distinctive and unique lyrical delivery became more commonplace as other artists, including a young Jay-Z, imitated it. Derailed by the popularity of their own style, the duo slowed down their fast-paced flow, eliminated the iggedy suffix and downplayed their cartoonish content on their second album, Straight Up Sewaside. However, around the time of their third album Hold It Down (which was far less commercially successful than their debut release), Das EFX found themselves caught in the middle of EPMD's ugly breakup; it led to a three-year absence from recording. They returned in 1998 with the album Generation EFX and followed up in 2003 with the album How We Do; both were panned by critics. Das EFX continue to record and perform today to a much smaller yet devoted cult following. In an episode of Beverly Hills, 90210, David Silver can be seen reciting the lyrics to "They Want EFX."

In 2006, after a hiatus, Das Efx went on many International tours with DJ Rondevu.

In 2007, the duo appeared on the remix of Nas' "Where are They Now" and continues to tour the globe on a regular basis.

In 2007 the duo had a large European tour and performed in Serbia, Italy, Bulgaria, Hungary, Spain, Germany, Japan, Chile and many other countries.

They are currently on tour (2010) and are working on a new album.

Chappelle's Show

Comedian Dave Chappelle has made numerous references to Das EFX's unique style and lyrics in sketches of his popular Chappelle's Show. In one sketch, a teenaged Chappelle tells his girlfriend "I riggity-realize that I liggity-love you". In another, Chappelle as President Bush announced that a country named "Riggity-Row" will join the Coalition of the Willing. In yet another sketch, Chappelle as a news anchor announces the opening lyrics of "They Want EFX" as a special report.

Discography

{| class="wikitable" ! Album information |- | Dead Serious

Released: April 7, 1992

Certification: Platinum

Billboard 200 chart position: #16

R&B;/Hip-Hop chart position: #1

Singles: "They Want Efx"/"Jussummen", "Mic Checka", "Straight From Da Sewer"

|- | Straight Up Sewaside

Released: November 16, 1993

Certification: Gold

Billboard 200 chart position: #20

R&B;/Hip-Hop chart position: #6

Singles: "Freakit"/"Gimme Dat Microphone", "Baknaffek", "Kaught In Da Ak"/"It'z Lik Dat"

|- | Hold It Down

Released: September 26, 1995

Billboard 200 chart position: #22

R&B;/Hip-Hop chart position: #4

Singles: "Real Hip-Hop"/"No Diggedy", "Microphone Master"

|- | Generation EFX

Released: March 24, 1998

Billboard 200 chart position: #48

R&B;/Hip-Hop chart position: #10

Singles: "Rap Scholar"

|- | How We Do

Released: September 23, 2003

Billboard 200 chart position:

R&B;/Hip-Hop chart position:

Singles: "East Coast Husslaz"/"How We Do"

|}

References

External links

Interview with Das EFX from 2003

Interview with Das EFX from 2007

Krazy Drayzy 2009 Interview (ArtofRhyme.com)

Das EFX international fun club

Category:African American musical groups Category:American hip hop groups Category:People from Brooklyn Category:People from Teaneck, New Jersey Category:Articles about multiple people Category:Living people Category:Musical duos Category:East Coast hip hop groups Category:Virginia State University alumni

Name	Method Man
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Maslow Smith
Alias	Meth, Tical, Johnny Blaze, Methtical, Shakwon
Born	April 01, 1971
Origin	Staten Island, New York City, New York, United States
Genre	Hip hop
Occupation	Rapper, actor
Years active	1990–present (rapping)
Label	Def Jam
Associated acts	Wu-Tang Clan, Method Man & Redman, Erick Sermon, DMX, LL Cool J
Url

Clifford Smith (born April 1, 1971

4:21... The Day After

.]] Method Man's fourth album, entitled was released in August 2006 with a star lineup of producers featuring Havoc, Erick Sermon, Scott Storch, Allah Mathematics, Mr. Porter, and, most importantly to Meth, RZA. This time around, a more focused Method Man went back to his hip hop roots and both hip hop fans and the media took notice. He did an interview on the ItsHipHop.Tv. Despite this being one of Meth's strongest solo efforts to date, the album failed to do well commercially due to it having no single or video, which Method Man has held discontent towards his own label for. However, he has been touring strongly all over the world to promote the album, and has appeared onstage with fellow Wu-Tang member Inspectah Deck, as well as New York up and comers Saigon, and Gat Murdah. Meth contributed various reasons for the problems between him and his label, Def Jam. While puts most of the blame on personal agendas in the Def Jam offices, Meth did take some blame, himself, for giving into his record label.

In early May 2007, Method Man's camp leaked the street single "New York New York" which became a popular track on the internet.

Blackout! 2

On March 27, 2007, Redman confirmed on BET's Rap City: Tha Bassment that the sequel to How High, How High 2, is currently being written.

In an April 10, 2007 Onion AV Club interview, Redman hinted that there would be a second collaborative album with Method Man, with work beginning in midsummer or early September.

In early 2008, a remake of the Smoothe da Hustler and Trigger tha Gambler classic Broken Language was released to the internet by the duo entitled Broken Language 2008, fueling rumors of a Blackout! sequel coming soon. This rumor was further fueled by the duo while performing in Gainesville, Florida at the University of Florida. A Blackout! 2 LP was scheduled for a December 9, 2008 release but was recently pushed back to the first quarter of 2009, with a new release date on May 19. Bun B has confirmed that he will guest star on Blackout! 2 - in April 2009, a single has been released named City Lights, produced by Nasty Kutt Also producers such as Erick Sermon, Rockwilder and Pete Rock have announced their presence on the album.

The duo has finished their Still High tour with Termanalogy, the Alchemist, and Evidence of Dilated Peoples.

The Crystal Meth

The Crystal Meth is the Method Man's upcoming fifth studio album. The album has no confirmed release date. The Crystal Meth was first announced before Method Man began working on his and Redman's sophomore collaboration album, Blackout! 2. In the liner notes of that album, it was given a scheduled release date for 2009. The album, however, was further postponed until it was later mentioned in an MTV interview it would be released in early 2010. "Number 1 on my shit list right now is Divine from Wu-Tang management. He took something major from me that he had no intention of giving back." Divine is multiplatinum record producer RZA's brother who along with Oli "Power" Grant took over the business end of Wu-Tang around 1997.

Aside from the financial issues, Method Man was unhappy with the decision to bring Wu-Tang into the fashion world for a brief period of time with Wu-Wear, despite the brand being a major money-maker for the group. "When Wu-Wear started making shoes and sneakers and pants, it was shoddy material. I never rocked that shit."

Williams also reported rumors that Method Man had even been having an affair with his wife's doctor. Method Man first heard of this while in recording sessions in Los Angeles.

}}

Sean Combs

During a concert in 2006, Method Man criticized Diddy's decisions on the posthumous The Notorious B.I.G. album, saying that Biggie never would have worked with some of the subpar rappers. "They got niggas on that album Big would have never rocked with," Meth said of the album. "Musically, I ain't fuckin' with Puff Daddy". He also brought up the fact that he was the only other rapper that Biggie chose to have on his debut album Ready To Die. He was featured on the track "The What".

Previously, Diddy had been one of the executive producers for Method Man's 2004 album , to which Meth later voiced his displeasure on the final product.

Fox Television

He starred in a Fox sitcom called Method & Red in late 2004, however after only a short time on the air the show was put on hiatus and never returned. Method Man later complained in the press about Fox's influence on the show's style, claiming that "there's been too much compromise on our side and not enough on their side" and bemoaning the network's decision to add a laugh track. Before the show even aired for the first time, he was telling fans not to bother watching it. He told the newspaper:

Legal issues

On Thursday May 17, 2007 Method Man was arrested in New York City on marijuana charges. His Mercedes-Benz convertible was pulled over at the Battery Tunnel en route to Manhattan, and when he rolled his window down the officer noticed a strong smell of marijuana. "It was like something out of Cheech & Chong. He rolls down the window and the smoke would choke a horse," a source later said. The arresting officer said he noticed two blunts and a plastic bag with more marijuana in plain view. Upon further inspection more marijuana was found under the driver's seat. The arrest was made at about 10 P.M. Thursday night near the Battery Tunnel toll booths on Hamilton Ave. in Carroll Gardens.

He was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana, criminal possession of marijuana, operating a motor vehicle under the influence and driving an uninspected motor vehicle. He later made many public service appearances to try to make up for it, most notably at Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn.

On 5 October 2009, Method Man was arrested for income tax violations after turning himself in. He is accused of failing to file income tax returns for the state of New York between 2004 and 2007 and owes nearly $33,000 in taxes.

Acting career

In the early 2000s Method Man began a career in acting. He has had recurring roles in critically acclaimed television shows such as HBO's The Wire in which he plays Prop Joe's nephew Cheese, HBO's Oz as Tug Daniels, The Twilight Zone and . He and Redman hosted a pilot on MTV called Stung. He has made numerous appearances as himself on TV shows such as Mind of Mencia and Chappelle's Show.

Method Man portrays on CSI, a wealthy Las Vegas party promoter who clashes with the CSI team, specifically investigator Nick Stokes, in their investigations involving his clubs or entourage. His first appearance on CSI as Drops was in the 2006 episode "Poppin' Tags". He resumed the role in the 2007 episode "Big Shots" and again in the 2008 episode "Drops Out".

His first prominent role came in 1998 with the film Belly along with fellow rappers Nas and DMX. He has since added many credits to his name, including roles in the films Garden State, One Eight Seven, and many others, with starring roles in the feature films such as How High and Soul Plane. On March 27, 2007 Redman confirmed on BET's show Rap City that the sequel to How High was being written. The script for How High 2 is being written by Dustin Lee Abraham of CSI, who also wrote the first movie. In 2005 Method Man also had a cameo in the horror movie Venom, where he played a deputy who shortly into the movie is killed. He appears in the 2008 movies The Wackness and also, Meet the Spartans.

Method Man stars in the episode "Snitch" of Law & Order SVU as the main antagonist. The episode was first broadcast December 4, 2007.

Method Man has made an appearance in the Def Jam series of video games. In he voiced Blaze, one of the main characters. In , he voiced Gooch, a major character in the storyline. In , He voiced Meth, one of the major characters. He made a guest appearance in the music video for the 2003 "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys, where he played the role of her boyfriend. He also appeared in Beanie Sigel's music video "Feel It in the Air", where Method Man played an undercover cop leading an operation against Sigel.

Method Man has fallen back from pursuing more acting roles after the situation with his sitcom on Fox left a bad taste in his mouth, and now mostly just acts if the project is being handled by a friend of his, as was the case with and The Wire. He also played an arsonist and a wealthy executive as well as main antagonist in an episode of the fox TV show the The Good Guys.

Method Man appears as a hip hop business mogul in an episode of Burn Notice.

Method man had a cameo appearance in the 1997 film Cop Land as a physically violent fleeing criminal that throws Peter Berg's character off of a New York rooftop. Method Man has also appeared in the TV drama Wonderland, as a patient in a mental hospital.

Other work

Method Man appeared in the 1995 documentary entitled The Show. There is a memorable scene in which Method Man, on a train in Japan, gets into an argument with U-God and Ghostface Killah, over camera time, radio interviews, and clothing mishaps.

In 2006, Method Man appeared on the MTV reality game show Yo Momma in the first episode of Season 1.

Method Man is the first of the Wu-Tang Clan to produce a series of eponymous graphic novels for Hachette Book Group USA's imprint Grand Central Publishing (to be followed by GZA and Ghostface Killah).

Discography

; Solo albums

Tical (1994)

(1998)

(2004)

(2006)

The Crystal Meth (2011)

; Collaboration albums

Blackout! (with Redman) (1999)

Blackout! 2 (with Redman) (2009)

Wu-Massacre (with Ghostface Killah and Raekwon) (2010)

Filmography

{| class="wikitable" |- style="background:#B0C4DE;" ! Year ! Film ! Role |- | 1996 || The Great White Hype || As himself |- | 1997 || Cop Land || Shondel |- | 1997 || One Eight Seven || Dennis Broadway |- | 1998 || Belly || Shameek |- | rowspan="2"| 1999 || Black and White || As himself |- | Big Daddy || Man #7 |- | 2000 || Backstage || As himself |- | 2001 || How High || Silas P. Silas |- | 2002 || Brown Sugar || As himself |- | 2003 || Volcano High || Voice of Mr. Ha |- | rowspan="4"| 2004 || My Baby's Daddy || No Good |- | Garden State || Diego |- | Soul Plane || Muggsy |- | Scary Movie 3|| Gangsta 4 |- | 2005 || Venom || Deputy Turner |- | 2006 || Hood of Horror || Himself |- | rowspan="2"| 2008 || Meet the Spartans || Persian Emissary |- | The Wackness || Percy |- | rowspan="3"| 2010 || Sinners & Saints || Weddo |- | Red Tails || Sticks |- | The Mortician 3-D || Mortician |}

References

External links

Category:1971 births Category:Living people Category:1990s rappers Category:2000s rappers Category:2010s rappers Category:Actors from New York City Category:African American film actors Category:African American rappers Category:Def Jam Recordings artists Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Members of the Nation of Gods and Earths Category:People from Staten Island Category:Rappers from New York City Category:Wu-Tang Clan members