EPMD: The Architects of Hardcore Hip-Hop

EPMD is an American hip-hop duo from Brentwood, New York, renowned for their foundational role in East Coast hardcore rap. The group, consisting of emcees/producers Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith, achieved commercial success with multiple gold and platinum albums throughout the late 1980s and 1990s.

Early career

EPMD formed in 1986, with the name standing for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars," a straightforward declaration of their intent. Their debut album, Strictly Business, was released in 1988 on Fresh Records/Sleeping Bag Records and immediately established their signature sound.

Breakthrough

The 1988 album Strictly Business was their commercial and critical breakthrough, eventually certified gold. Its success was driven by minimalist, funk-laden beats and the duo's deadpan, braggadocious lyrical style, a formula that defined a generation of hip-hop.

Key tracks

Strictly Business — The title track from their debut introduced their iconic use of a sample from Eric Clapton's "I Shot the Sheriff."

You Gots to Chill — This single, built on a Zapp sample, became their first major hit and a defining anthem of the era.

So Wat Cha Sayin' — A key track from their second album, Unfinished Business, it further solidified their reputation for tough, unflinching rap.

Crossover — From their 1992 album Business Never Personal, this track directly addressed the commercialization of hip-hop.

Head Banger — Featuring Redman and K-Solo, this 1992 collaboration highlighted their role in launching the careers of other Def Squad members.

The duo split in 1993 but reunited in 1997, releasing the album Back in Business on Def Jam Recordings. Their later work, including 1999's Out of Business, continued to influence the hip-hop landscape, emphasizing their lasting production and lyrical techniques.

Beyond their own catalog, Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith produced for numerous artists and formed the Def Squad collective with Redman and Keith Murray. Their business acumen, reflected in their name, extended to publishing and label ventures, making them respected industry figures.

Fans of EPMD's sample-heavy, gritty approach should explore similar acts. Run-D.M.C. shares the same foundational, hardcore New York ethos. Redman, a frequent collaborator, carries a similar raw energy and humor. Eric B. & Rakim set a parallel standard for lyrical mastery and innovative production. Das EFX emerged with a distinct style but were discovered and championed by the duo.

EPMD's classic hip-hop catalog remains a staple on dedicated old-school hip-hop radio stations and online rap radio streams. Their influential beats and flows are regularly featured in blocks celebrating the golden era of the genre.

Listeners can discover the music of EPMD on radio stations featured on onairium.com. Tune in to our curated stations to hear the foundational tracks of hardcore hip-hop from this legendary duo.