Album: Strictly Business by EPMD (1988)
Genre: Hip-Hop | Style: Urban/R&B
Format: Album

Description: Strictly Business is the debut album by golden age hip-hop duo EPMD. It was released on June 21, 1988, by Fresh/Sleeping Bag Records around the world and BCM Records in Germany. It peaked at No. 80 on the Billboard 200 soon after release, yet it earned an RIAA gold album certification within four months of its release. In addition, it has received much positive critical attention since its release. In 2003, the album was ranked number 459 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

The album is known for its lighthearted party raps and funky sample-reliant production. The album has no guest emcees or producers except DJ K La Boss. The album is broken down track-by-track by the group in Brian Coleman's book Check the Technique.

Artist Background: On the surface, the sample-reliant productions and monotone rapping styles of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith had little to recommend them, but the duo's recordings as EPMD were among the best in hip-hop's underground during the late '80s and early '90s. Over the course of four albums (from the 1988 classic Strictly Business to 1992's Business Never Personal), the group rarely varied from two themes: dissing sucker MCs and recounting sexual exploits. A closer look, however, revealed that the d... Emerged in the 1980s era. Associated with Hip-Hop movement. Known for Urban/R&B style.

Music Scene: Emerged in the 1980s era. Associated with Hip-Hop movement. Known for Urban/R&B style.

Tags: Hip-Hop, Urban/R&B, 1980s, Album

Additional Context: Rating score: 8. Based on 1 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


Strictly Business is the debut album by golden age hip-hop duo EPMD. It was released on June 21, 1988, by Fresh/Sleeping Bag Records around the world and BCM Records in Germany. It peaked at No. 80 on the Billboard 200 soon after release, yet it earned an RIAA gold album certification within four months of its release. In addition, it has received much positive critical attention since its release. In 2003, the album was ranked number 459 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

The album is known for its lighthearted party raps and funky sample-reliant production. The album has no guest emcees or producers except DJ K La Boss. The album is broken down track-by-track by the group in Brian Coleman's book Check the Technique.

Strictly Business

EPMD

Track List

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