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EPMD - Strictly Business

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description EPMD - Strictly Business Overview

Strictly Business is the debut studio album by the Long Island-based hip-hop duo EPMD, consisting of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith, released in 1988 on Fresh Records. The album's production is built largely on funk and R&B samples, notably including Kool & the Gang's 'Jungle Boogie' on the title track, with a deliberate, low-key delivery that distinguished the duo from many of their contemporaries. The album peaked at number 80 on the Billboard 200 and reached number one on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It is widely regarded as a significant early release in the East Coast hip-hop canon and helped establish the group's reputation across several subsequent albums.

help EPMD - Strictly Business FAQ

When was EPMD's Strictly Business released?

Strictly Business was released in 1988 on Fresh Records and Sleeping Bag Records, marking the debut of the Long Island duo of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith. The album arrived during a landmark year for hip-hop that also saw debuts from Big Daddy Kane and Slick Rick.

What does EPMD stand for?

EPMD stands for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars," derived from the first names of its two members, Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith. The duo also referenced the alternate backronym "Erick and Parrish Microphone Destroyers" in their lyrics.

What kind of samples does Strictly Business use?

The album is built on dense funk and soul samples, drawing heavily from Parliament-Funkadelic, Zapp, and other 1970s funk acts. EPMD's sample-layered production paired with their signature low-key, laid-back delivery created a sound that influenced East Coast hip-hop throughout the early 1990s.

Did EPMD produce their own music on Strictly Business?

Yes, Erick Sermon handled most of the production duties, establishing the duo's self-contained approach where Sermon crafted the beats and both members traded verses. This formula carried across subsequent EPMD albums including Unfinished Business (1989) and Business as Usual (1990).

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