Strictly Business

1988EPMD Fresh Records The Golden Age

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EPMD - Strictly Business (Official Music Video)

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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

X1
Strictly Business
4:43
X2
Because I'm Housin'
3:59
X3
So Let The Funk Flow
4:14
X4
You Gots To Chill
4:20
X5
It's My Thing
5:41
Y1
You're A Customer
5:23
Y2
The Steve Martin
4:37
Y3
Get Off The Bandwagon
4:19
Y4
D.J. K La Boss
4:27
Y5
Jane
2:56

Tracklist and producer credits: Discogs. Gear credits: Breakbeat Archive, sourced on each credit.

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