EPMD 'We Mean Business' album

They are rap's first great rapduo, one that excelled as rappers and producers. They are among the most sampled rap acts of all time, their tunes having been mined by Jay-Z, DMX 2Pac and Tha Alkoholiks, among many others. They introduced funk-styled production to rap, paving the way for Dr. Dre's The Chronic. And even though their own skill was immense, they are also the best talent scouts in rap history, introducing the likes of Redman, Das EFX and Keith Murray. Then they broke up and reunited to rave reviews. The group is EPMD, undisputed legends in the rap game.

Now after more then 20 years in the game, EPMD returns with "We Mean Business", their first album on their own EP Records and their seventh overall. The new collection is a testament to their Business plan.

EPMD biography
Here comes 2 big pioneers/ rolex watches, cars by the pairs, in stock we got shares/ EPMD [that's right] legendary hardcore B-boy is the pedigree.
-"PIONEERS"

I know the question you're asking yourselves, why is the name of EPMD's latest LP, Out Of Business? Could it be that after six everlastingly funky albums, Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith - the two cool cats with the fisherman hats - are throwing in the towel. What another break-up? Well don't get your hopes up sucker MC chumps. "This just our last album of the 1900's," the E Double clarifies. "The year 2000 is approaching and we're excited. We want to keep putting out new music. We know in this game, you gotta keep putting out dope material or your spot will get taken."

That's right folks, EPMD ain't going nowhere as evidenced by their brand spankin' new acronym [Erick and Parrish Millennium Ducats]. Out Of Business is simply a power move towards the future with an eye on the past. Similar to Rakim's 1997 collection, The 18th Letter: The Book Of Life, the album contains 14 new songs and 14 greatest hits from their classic catalogue. A good combination for hip-hop-junkies of all ages."

"What Erick and I found after starting this album was that a lot of our music is still being used by today's new artists," the microphone doctor states. So besides bringing some brand new funk for the piranhas to bite in the 21st century, the brothers from Brentwood, Long Island have decided to give the new school rap fans a history lesson. In case you dummies don't know, a few of hip-hop's biggest hits of the last few years [including Warren G's "I Shot The Sheriff," Jay-Z's "Ain't No Nigga" and DMX's "Get At Me Dog"] have all steamrolled up the charts and ignited dance floor with grooves that were freaked first by the legendary duo.

"I think we are the most sampled rap group in history," boasts the green-eyed bandit. "EPMD music has remained relevant throughout the years. A lot of people have used our records and their careers have taken off. A lot of producers rely on old EPMD beats to make new hits." And can you blame them? The beats are slammin' and the group's rhymes are equally engaging. One listen to spectacular singles like "It's My Thing," "You're A Customer," "So Wat Cha Saying'," "Crossover," and "Headbanger," will leave you marveling at the artistry of indisputably one of hip-hop's greatest groups of all-time.

Among their many, many hits, "You Gots To Chill" [voted by rap fans the greatest song of all-time in The Source's 100th Issue] holds special significance to the group. "That was the funk sound from the Zapp funkster Roger Troutman. "Parrish used to DJ and he had all the records. When we heard the loop it just fit us. When people first heard it they thought we was from the West Coast or the South because nobody from the East was using beats like that." P jokingly adds, "We'd do shows in Texas and we'd have to perform 'You Gots To Chill' four times in one night. We'd try to leave the venue and cats would be like 'no dawg' one more time.'"

But although many rap relics have rocked crowds in the late 80', very few are still relevant in the late 90's, a fact that's not lost on the group. "For some reason, people don't look at us as old school," Sermon says. "We broke-up in 1992 and hadn't released an album in 5 years and we still went gold."

Anymore remaining non-believers can get the bozack as the new joints from Out of Business are just as potent as the tunes currently playing on your local radio station. Songs like the off-the-rocker "Pioneers," the card-pulling "The Fan," and the soothing "Hold Me Down" keep the 99 funk flowing. Press rewind if these joints haven't blown your mind.

Also incredible are Erick and Parrish's ability to effectively fit in with the current times. You want collabos? They got 'em in a smash. Busta Rhymes adds his exuberant energy to the stirring remake of "Rap Is Outta Control" while Brooklyn's bad boys M.O.P., new female artist LADY LUCK and Def Jam's superpowers Redman and Method Man all drop 16 bars of fury each on two captivating versions of the Marley-Marl inspired "Symphony 2000." But as evidenced by their past success, what the people really want to hear are the masters of the slow-flow going toe-to-toe with each other - trading verses back and forth.

"It's the chemistry," Sermon reveals when pressed on the secret to EPMD mania. "We're the only successful rap group to go their separate ways and not achieve the same success as solo artists. I didn't realize how hurt people were when we broke-up. Fans took it personal and were like 'I can't blow them up separately, I just can't.' I feel like if we had not broken-up, we would've have had 10 gold albums and a few platinum ones."

It's OK fellas; time is still on your side. Picking up right where they left off, these living legends are back in town with old favorites and world premieres. Take heed to the words of the artists' themselves-relax your mind and let your conscience be free and get down to the sounds of EPMD. Swayze.

EPMD history
EPMD is an American hip hop group from Brentwood, New York. The group's name is an acronym for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars" (later Millenium Ducats), referencing its members, emcees Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith ("PMD"). The group has been active for more than 20 years (1986–present), and is one of the most prominent acts in East coast hip hop. Diamond J, DJ K La Boss, and DJ Scratch were DJs for the group.

The word "business" is used in every title of the group's albums. Every album also has a track titled "Jane".

Early years: 1987–1993
EPMD's first album, Strictly Business, appeared in 1988, which featured the underground hit "Strictly Business," based on a sample of Eric Clapton's version of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff." Many critics cite this first album as the group's most influential. The group's brand of funk-fueled sample-heavy hip-hop proved to be a major force in the genre. Unlike old school hip hop, which was originally based on disco hits but eventually became more electronic, EPMD based its music mainly on lifting funk and rock breaks for samples and helped to popularize their usage, along with Marley Marl and Public Enemy. "You're a Customer" combined snippets of Steve Miller's "Fly Like an Eagle," Kool & the Gang's "Jungle Boogie," and the bass line from ZZ Top’s "Cheap Sunglasses." "Jane," about a romantic rendezvous turned bad, would be revisited on no less than five sequels; a first for hip-hop, and, perhaps, rock and roll as well. "You Gots to Chill" used 1980s funk band Zapp's "More Bounce to the Ounce," which has become one of the most enduring sample sources for hip-hop. "I'm Housin'" was covered some 12 years later by Rage Against the Machine. Managed early on by Russell Simmons' RUSH Management, the group toured with such hip-hop luminaries as Run-DMC, Public Enemy, and DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince.

EPMD signed with Fresh/Sleeping Bag Records, which eventually released its debut album, Strictly Business, by electro funk pioneer Kurtis Mantronik. Propelled by several strong singles ("You Gots to Chill" and the album’s title track), the album was eventually certified gold, selling over 500,000 copies, as did 1989's follow-up, Unfinished Business. Financial frustrations followed when Sleeping Bag went under in 1992. The two EPMD albums and Nice & Smooth’s debut album were acquired by Priority/EMI Records before the label was sold to Warlock Records. The duo’s Sleeping Bag contract was acquired by Def Jam. EPMD returned in 1990 with Business As Usual and Business Never Personal two years later. By 1992, the group presided over an extended family dubbed the Hit Squad, which included Redman, K-Solo, Das EFX, Hurricane G, and Knucklehedz.

In 1992, EPMD had a hit with its song "Crossover," which lamented rappers making blatant concessions to pop sensibilities in order to get mainstream attention from music audiences.

The duo split in January 1993, under controversial circumstances. According to interviews in The Source and Rap Pages, in late 1991, Smith's house was burglarized by armed intruders. According to Smith, in the ensuing police investigation, one of the apprehended culprits supposedly gave up Sermon's name as having allegedly paid them to do it. Sermon was arrested and briefly detained for questioning, but no charges were filed. Still, it led to lingering tensions, and by the time of the break-up, Sermon alleged financial impropriety on Smith's part. The duo found itself as solo artists by default: Sermon debuted in 1993 with No Pressure, followed by Double or Nothing (1995), Def Squad Presents Erick Onasis (2000), Music (2001), and React (2002). Smith made his statements on 1994's Shade Business, followed by Business is Business in 1996.

Reunion and solo: 1997–2005
The duo reunited in 1997, recording a comeback LP, Back in Business. In 1998, a remix of the song "Strictly Business" appeared by the A&R man who signed the duo while at Fresh/Sleeping Bag, Kurtis Mantronik. Sermon released an album with Redman and Keith Murray as the Def Squad in 1998: El Niño was certified gold that same year. EPMD’s last LP, Out of Business, was released in 1999 as both a single CD and a limited edition double CD. The limited edition double CD contained both new material and rerecorded versions of its greatest hits. Smith released The Awakening (2003) on his own Hit Squad label, and Sermon released Chilltown, N.Y. (2004) on Motown/Universal. A Hit Squad compilation LP (overseen by Smith, featuring a new EPMD track) was released on Nervous Recordings in 2004.

A reunited EPMD with DJ Scratch performed live at the Rock the Bells Tour in New York on October 14, 2006 at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, their first NYC show in eight years. The tour also featured former Hit Squad members Keith Murray, Das EFX, and Redman. YouTube currently hosts a number of videos of the EPMD reunion concert.

Two months later, EPMD and Keith Murray released a new song, titled "The Main Event," produced by DJ Knowhow. In the March 2007 issue of Swedish hip-hop magazine Quote, Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith talked about whether the duo planned to record together again. On its recent tour, the group announced that it was working on a new album, tentatively titled We Mean Business.

On June 27, 2007, the group appeared on BET's Rap City to freestyle. EPMD's new single, "Blow", was released on vinyl from Unique Distribution during August 2007 as a prelude to a new album that is to be released in 2008. The song instantly became a regular feature on the Funkmaster Flex show. The same month, the duo made a number of surprise live appearances, including the Rock the Bells tour with Rage Against The Machine, Wu-Tang Clan, Cypress Hill, Mos Def and others.

In June 2008, during an interview with HipHopGame; Erick and Parrish confirmed We Mean Business would release September 9. Since then the release date has been pushed back to December 9, 2008. Appearances on the album are to include Mobb Deep, Redman, KRS-One, Raekwon, and M.O.P. Not only that, but they plan on releasing another album six months after the release of We Mean Business. In the end of the interview they mentioned the possibility of a Hit Squad/Def Squad double disc album, but that they had problems with K-Solo.

On August 3rd 2008, EPMD joined Method Man and Redman on stage at the Rock The Bells concert at Jones Beach, New York.

The following month, EPMD took the stage as part of AllHipHop.com's Breeding Ground event at S.O.B.'s in New York City. The duo performed many of their early hits and featured Keith Murray as a guest.

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EPMD - We Mean Business