{"title":"EPMD","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEPMD, short for Erick and Parrish Making Dollars, is a Hip Hop duo formed by Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith in 1987. Hailing from Brentwood, Long Island, they quickly made a name for themselves with their unique monotone delivery and heavy use of funk samples. Their distinctive style set them apart from other East Coast hip hop groups of the time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the early 1990s, EPMD formed the Hit Squad, a crew of talented artists including Redman, Keith Murray, Das Efx, K-Solo, and DJ Scratch. Together, they created a powerful force in the music industry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough EPMD has experienced periods of dissolution and reunion over the years, since 2006 they have been performing together once again. Their enduring presence in the industry is a testament to their talent and influence on hip hop as a whole.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"strictly-business","title":"Strictly Business","description":"\u003cp\u003eAs even the title states, \u003ci\u003eStrictly Business\u003c\/i\u003e is a no-nonsense mission statement from EPMD ('eric and parrish makin' dollars'), a straightforward, seamlessly produced piece of rap history. As the title track makes clear, 'strictly business' was all about setting the standard for rap's burgeoning pop dominance. Eric's laid back vocals contrast his partner's more staccato delivery. Together the team contributed much to pop culture by way of this album - 'the steve martin' is a self-explanatory dance lesson, while the tight groove of 'you gots to chill' enjoyed a respectable tenure in the public consciousness. 'let the funk flow' is marked by a loose, expertly mixed blend of samples, while 'you're a customer' employs 'fly like an eagle' along with a spare backing track and an encyclopediaful of cultural references. The album's comedic closer is 'jane,' a heavy-handed tale of a lady who messed with the wrong mc.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Priority","offers":[{"title":"Black LPx2","offer_id":50416884056395,"sku":"1080396","price":44.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50416884482379,"sku":"322993","price":5.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/62599c4e-29b6-4319-a3fb-037522aeeb1b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726711922"},{"product_id":"back-in-business","title":"Back In Business","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eBack in Business\u003c\/i\u003e is the return 5th album from the hip-hop duo EPMD, which broke up because of personal problems in 1992. After releasing four successful albums between 1988 and 1992 (all of them being considered classics), the duo returned with another successful effort. The single \"Da Joint\" became their second Billboard Hot 100 hit in 1997.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Def Jam","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP | x2","offer_id":50452600422731,"sku":"1152468","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/35c4a02e-e450-43bf-aae6-7f161fa291f0_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727157710"},{"product_id":"we-mean-business-us-black-friday-2022-edition","title":"We Mean Business (US Black Friday 2022 Edition)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThey are rap's first great duo, 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 Alkaholiks, among many others. They introduced funk-styled production to rap, paving the way for Dr. Dre's The Chronic. And even though their own rap 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. Celebrating their rich history, RBC Records releases an exclusive limited edition version of their highly respected reunion album We Mean Business, their first album on their own EP Records and their seventh overall. \"All of our albums have Business in the title,\" Smith explains. \"Now that we're in a new era and the game is changed, we realize that it's different from when we handed in a CD to our first label to being at Def Jam. Erick and I created our own vehicle to be able to drop this album. That's how we came with the title We Mean Business, because we do.\" EPMD updates it's classic sound and sentiment on \"Listen Up,\" a funk-drenched song complete with a talk box and featuring the one and only Mr. Teddy Riley. Recognizing EPMD's status as pioneers, Sermon acknowledges how important his lyrics are: \"Can't talk ignorant\/I got some intelligent folks that's digging it.\" Those same folks will be digging We Mean Business song \"Roc Da Spot,\" a throwback of sorts to \"You Gots To Chill,\" one of 1988's most acclaimed rap singles. \"The beat had that EPMD sound, as far as the claps,\" Sermon says. \"It had a familiarity to it because of the sound and, 20 years later, we've still got that funk coming.\" \"It's very important for us to stay us,\" Smith adds. \"People want to hear and see EPMD.\" That's because We Mean Business isn't just an album title for EPMD. It's a mindstate\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"RBC","offers":[{"title":"Red LP","offer_id":50454246162763,"sku":"2004624","price":34.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/We_Mean_Business_882a03fb_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727182348"},{"product_id":"the-big-payback","title":"The Big Payback","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePayback\u003c\/em\u003e takes both its title and core sample from James Brown's \"\u003cem\u003eThe Payback\u003c\/em\u003e\" from 1973, and then weaves two more JB elements with it, including the addictive stabs from \"Baby, Here I Come\". It's a golden track from the golden age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe B-side is another gem from the same album, and only released before on 7\" in a very rare, limited pressing. \"\u003cem\u003eSo Wat Cha Sayin'\u003c\/em\u003e\" was the album's lead single, and shows \u003cstrong\u003eEPMD\u003c\/strong\u003e's wide sampling palette. There's bits of BT Express, a whole lot of Funkadelic and, brilliantly, some drums lifted from Soul II Soul's gem from just the year before, \"Fairplay\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLyrically, it's just all about threats to sucker's MC's – what else do you want from \u003cstrong\u003eEPMD\u003c\/strong\u003e?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTracks:\u003c\/strong\u003e The Big Payback (LP Version) \/ So Wat Cha Sayin’ (LP Version)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"Orange | 7\"","offer_id":50459353186635,"sku":"1140165","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50459353776459,"sku":"1140162","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/16df0a8f-dc93-42ad-ae84-ba572abce64d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727450667"},{"product_id":"it-s-my-thing","title":"It's My Thing","description":"\u003cp\u003eEPMD's initial success in 1987 seemed to take a lot of people by surprise. Without build-up or fanfare, they launched this stunning debut 12\" and, so ill-prepared were people for it, that the label was still misspelling their name. Those early 12\" copies of \u003ci\u003eIt's My Thing\u003c\/i\u003e and the hard to find UK 7\" that followed shortly after have them billed as EPEE MD. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBefore they were signed, they were going by EEPMD, but they decided to drop an E due to the success of the west coast's Eazy E. The one person not surprised by their success, however, was hip-hop pioneer and producer Kurtis Mantronik, who actually signed them to Fresh Records.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt's fitting that he's the man that saw their promise, as he himself was one to go against the grain. His electro-influenced productions for Mantronix and Just Ice were ahead of their time, and perhaps in EPMD he saw kindred spirits. Because, at the time this dropped, hip-hop was going up tempo, taking its cue from James Brown samples and picking up the pace.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOn both \u003ci\u003eIt's My Thing\u003c\/i\u003e underpinned by the languorous 'Seven Minutes of Funk' by The Whole Darn Family and 'You're a Customer', with its combination of ZZ Top and Steve Miller Band Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith slow things right down. It gives their vocals time to breathe and allows us to enjoy the interplay of their metaphor and simile-heavy lyrics. As calling cards go, they don't come any better than this.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50475444371787,"sku":"1138212","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/8a674413-7e04-4b15-991e-1418032d5bac_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727446893"},{"product_id":"i-m-housin","title":"I'm Housin'","description":"\u003cp\u003eSo strong was EPMD's epochal debut album \u003ci\u003eStrictly Business\u003c\/i\u003e that it spawned three all-time classic singles, providing part of the soundtrack to, arguably, the height of the original Golden Age. When discussing the landmark artists of that era Public Enemy, Boogie Down Productions, Eric B \u0026amp; Rakim the duo of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith are certainly in the conversation. And when it comes to all-time duos, they might be at the head of the table.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe original release of \u003ci\u003eI'm Housin' \u003c\/i\u003ecame in 1989, and the only previous 7\" release was confined to the UK it now fetches sky-high prices. Hence this reissue couldn't be more timely, showcasing just how fresh E Double E and PMD sound over even the most rudimentary but feverishly catchy of beats.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThat was their genius trading 'slow flow' punchlines over deceptively simple backings and that's exactly what you get here. The loop of Aretha Franklin's indelible 1971 gem 'Rock Steady' does all the heavy lifting musically, the only adornment a brief vocal snippet taken from their own 'It's My thing' EPMD is a world premiere.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAt a time when sampling was still in its infancy, and before producers started to pride themselves on obscurity, and on chopping up samples creatively, this was the approach of many a hip-hop song, and rap was none the poorer for it. When you have voices as distinctive and strong as EPMD, less is more.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50475473142091,"sku":"1138211","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/31ec84cd-1436-4294-8084-b8c20a0ad58a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727447244"},{"product_id":"you-gots-to-chill","title":"You Gots To Chill","description":"\u003cp\u003eEndlessly sampled, covered, quoted and requoted, this may well be one of the most influential hip-hop singles ever released but, in many ways, its importance goes beyond its sheer classic status as a single in its own right.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn retrospect, it shows the duo of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith as pioneers in production, creating a funk-based sound that helped to provide a blueprint for artists on the other side of the country. In 1987\/88, most West Coast rap still adhered to an East Coast audio blueprint. By 1989, they were leaning as heavily on Zapp and Roger Troutman samples as EPMD were on this single.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe foundations of the track are interesting, with a snatch of Juice's much-plundered 'Catch a Groove' (which has popped up everywhere from The Beastie Boys to Kings of Pressure) overlaid with big chunks of Kool \u0026amp; The Gang's 'Jungle Boogie' and Zapp's irrepressible 'More Bounce to the Ounce'. Vocodered funk was a rarity in New York hip-hop until this song, but it's the West Coast G-Funk artists who really ran with it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTracks: You Gots To Chill (LP Version) \/ Let The Funk Flow (LP Version)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50475789123915,"sku":"1140163","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/32dd699b-dc23-4f49-9f80-dc7ee0e8d2c0_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727450687"},{"product_id":"strictly-business-strictly-business-instrumental-mix","title":"Strictly Business \/ Strictly Business (Instrumental Mix)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere's a sprinkle of drums from Kool \u0026amp; The Gang's oft-sampled 'Jungle Boogie', paired with a very recognisable portion of Eric Clapton's 'I Shot the Sheriff'. And that's pretty much it – the two samples are linked, looped and left to their own devices. Such was Erick and Parrish's confidence in their own rhyming ability and strong voices, no further embellishment was needed. Paired with the classic instrumental version, which didn't make it to the US 7\" releases – it's only on a hard-to-track-down French 7\" pressing from 1989 – this this is a timely reminder of how breathtakingly perfect hip-hop can be.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTracks: Strictly Business (Radio Mix) \/ Strictly Business (instrumental Mix)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Mr Bongo","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50475790270795,"sku":"1140164","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}]},{"product_id":"unisex-t-shirt-distressed-classic-logo","title":"Unisex T-Shirt Distressed Classic Logo","description":"\u003cp\u003e\n            This officially licensed Unisex T-Shirt Distressed Classic Logo from EPMD is available to order now. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n            This high quality Tee Shirts is available in a Black colourway.\n        \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rock Off Retail Limited","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":50516535050571,"sku":"2032325","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large","offer_id":50516536820043,"sku":"2032327","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large","offer_id":50516538720587,"sku":"2032331","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"XX-Large","offer_id":50516539900235,"sku":"2032334","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":50516540195147,"sku":"2032337","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_5e26d991_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727943122"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_e3166a88_thumbnail_4096_44d9fd54-caf2-47cb-b643-287dea89ef65.jpg?v=1726711892","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/epmd.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}