Join the forum

Join our active and rapidly growing Hip-Hop community

Whats the harm in looking?

Forum | Register

  Search the web

 

 


   Advertisment
  Hip Hop Rapture: EPMD

EPMD



On the surface, the sample-reliant productions and monotone rapping styles of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith had little to recommend them, but the duo's recordings as EPMD were among the best in hip-hop's underground during the late '80s and early '90s. Over the course of four albums (from the 1988 classic Strictly Business to 1992's Business Never Personal), they rarely varied from two themes: dissing sucker MCs and recounting sexual exploits. But a closer look reveals that the duo's rhymes were nothing less than incredible, simply undervalued because of their lack of intonation during delivery. EPMD also had a feel for a good groove, and created numerous hip-hop classics, including "It's My Thing," "You Gots to Chill," "Get the Bozack," "Strictly Business," and "Rampage."







Though EPMD's hardcore style influenced the urban-oriented gangsta '90s, Erick Sermon (aka E Double E; b. Nov. 25, 1968) and Parrish Smith (aka Pee MD; b. May 13, 1968) were both raised in the Long Island suburb of Brentwood. They moved into rap separately, with Smith DJing for Rock Squad on a single for Tommy Boy. After coming together in 1987 -- naming themselves EPMD, short for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars" -- the duo recorded their debut "It's My Thing" in three hours. The single was later licensed to Chrysalis, and EPMD signed to Sleeping Bag/Fresh Records for debut album Strictly Business. Propelled by several strong singles ("You Gots to Chill," the title track), the album eventually went gold, as did 1989's follow-up, Unfinished Business. Signed to Def Jam by the beginning of the '90s, EPMD returned in 1990 with Business As Usual and Business Never Personal two years later. By 1992, they presided over an extended family dubbed the Hit Squad, including Redman, K-Solo, and Das EFX. The duo split later that year, however, prompting solo careers for each; Sermon debuted in 1993 with No Pressure, and Smith made his statement on 1994's Shade Business. The duo re-formed EPMD in 1997, recording a strong comeback LP, Back in Business. Out of Business followed in 1999. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
Google
 

Link to EPMD's Biography:
   Rap Reviews
Hip-Hop album reviews

J Dilla - The Shining (2006) Review
Ghostface Killah - More Fish
Lil' Flip and Mr. Capone-E: "Connected"
Snoop Blue carpet treatment
Banks - Rotten Apple

  Hip Hop menu
  Home
  Rap forum
  Reviews
  Resources
  Link us
  Advertise
  Contact us
  Network
Thugz-Network
Myspace Resource
Mac Dre
Myspace Codes
  Sponsors
Nike Shoes
Download Ringtones
Become a Sponsor
Become a Sponsor
Become a Sponsor
  Affiliates
Rap Music
TheGameFans.com
Hip Hop Ringtones
Lil Wayne Ringtones
Become an Affiliate