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EPMD Strictly Business LP 1988 Original Fresh Records LPRE-82006 Shrink HypeUsed · Buy It Now$29.99
Strictly Business, EpmdVery Good · Buy It Now$11.22
EPMD Strictly Business CD Album 1988 Priority Records CDL 57135 EXCELLENT CONDVery Good · Buy It Now$8.59
EPMD Strictly Business CD 1991 Reissue Priority Records CDL 57135 Rap Hip HopVery Good · Buy It Now$9.99
Strictly Business is the debut album by EPMD, the Long Island duo of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith, released on June 7, 1988 by Fresh Records. Self-produced and effortlessly funky, it introduced one of the most consistent duos of the Golden Age.
The story
Recorded at North Shore Soundworks and Island Media in West Babylon, New York, the album yielded the singles “It’s My Thing,” “You Gots to Chill,” “Strictly Business” and “I’m Housin’.” The only guest on the record is their DJ, K La Boss.
Sound and production
EPMD paired low-key, conversational rhymes with heavy funk and rock samples, looping familiar grooves into slow, heavy beats. The sound helped make the duo favorites of crate diggers and producers for decades.
Charts and certifications
Strictly Business reached No. 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart and No. 80 on the Billboard 200. It was certified Gold within about four months of release.
Legacy
The Source gave it a five-mic rating, and The Rolling Stone Album Guide later raised its grade to five stars.
Tracklist & credits
Produced by EPMD
- X1Strictly Business4:43
- X2Because I'm Housin'3:59
- X3So Let The Funk Flow4:14
- X4You Gots To Chill4:20
- X5It's My Thing5:41
- Y1You're A Customer5:23
- Y2The Steve Martin4:37
- Y3Get Off The Bandwagon4:19
- Y4D.J. K La Boss4:27
- Y5Jane2:56
Tracklist and producer credits: Discogs. Gear credits: Breakbeat Archive, sourced on each credit.
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Released June 7, 1988. More from hip hop in 1988.