EPMD - Strictly Business

Imagine a time in history when artists didn't have to clear any samples in their music. EPMD's 1988 debut, Strictly Business, like the Beastie Boys' Paul's Boutique, was recorded during the clearance-free sample heyday, and we're all a lot better off because of it. Long before Dr. Dre and Digital Underground were doling out legal cash to George Clinton and Kool and the Gang, EPMD was sampling them--and others--brilliantly on tracks like "You Gots to Chill" and "It's My Thing." (They even double-sample "Jungle Boogie," using it on both "You Gots to Chill" and "You're the Customer"--that takes some damn nerve.) The EPMD production sound gets in your pants and moves things against your will, making Strictly Business an essential time capsule from the Wild West-era of sampling. --Todd Levin Amazon.com

You know you have made a classic album when.......

You have heard most of the beats on it and it wasn't from listening to this cd. It seemed every time I heard a beat I could link it to some rapper in the 90's. People have named a few the only one I didn't see was Warren G. He used the strictly business beat on one of his songs on his second album. I personally don't like 80's rap, its to corny to me. All that check one, two and you don't stop, sucka mc's, fresh in the place to be crap doesn't move me at all. The only 80's rap I messed with is Rakim, NWA, and Public Enemy. These rappers have a more agresive vibe to them, I like that. The 90's hands down is my favorite era of rap, Wu Tang, Dr.Dre, MC eght, Spice One, Deathrow Records period, Celly Cell, Redman, Bone Thugs, Scarface, Group Home, Boot Camp Click, Master P in his westcoast bad boy days, Mic Geranimo in his the Natural days, hell even Fat Joe first two albums before he sold out. I like that I don't give a F raps. But back to this, this is now added to my 80's rap I can stand list. For and album 20 years old it holds up really well the flow is still pretty good, they definatly seemed as though they where mold in the next decade to come than the decade it was released in. Good old skool joint,as people always say if rap could get back like this I would feel it more. Peace June 12, 2008

20 Years Ago...(Rating: 10 out of 10- -5.0 stars)

I won't speak too much on this here, because every review has covered every aspect of this classic. I was on All Hip Hop checking their reviews and saw that they were giving praises to Strictly Business, and how it has crossed it's 20 year mark, and had comentary from both Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith on their thoughts on each track.

Every track here is origonal in it's own way. Back when they didn't have to jump through burning hoops and red tape to clear samples, EPMD sampled the heck out of many artists to put together this album. You already know that "You Gots To Chill" and "It's My Thing" are just some of the recognized classics to appear here. My favorite track is "I'm Housin'", because that is like a late 80's party track.

Well, what else can I say? Strictly Business is one of the many landmark LP's that people look back on this today. I'm pretty sure that people considered this a classic when it first came out (I was about 2 years old back in '88), and having look back on it here in 2008, and the state that music is, only makes this much better. What I can ask for is a 20 year reissue of this full of many bonus material, but that is not really necessary. Peace.

Lyrics: A+
Production: A+
Guest Appearances: N/A
Musical Vibes: A+

Top 5 Tracks:
1. I'm Housin'
2. You Gots To Chill
3. It's My Thing
4. Jane
5. You're A Customer May 6, 2008

Timeless classic.

A lot of classic albums have a difficult time withstanding the test of time. N.W.A.'s "Straight Outta Compton" was revolutionary for its time, but does it really hold weight today? The Sugarhill Gang carried hip-hop into the mainstream, but is "Rapper's Delight" anymore than a novelty track in this century? Even masterpieces from Eric. B & Rakim can seem dated at times, not because of Rakim's vocals, which are smooth as always, but Eric B.'s production even can even be difficult to fully appreciate in today's hip-hop culture. The list goes on, and while these albums are most-definitely classics, they seem obsolete in certain aspects from a fan of modern hip-hop's perspective.

Some albums are timeless, though; Eazy-E's Eazy-Duz-It, Slick Rick's The Adventures of Slick Rick, Ultramagnetic MC's Critical Beatdown, and of course, EPMD's seminal classic, Strictly Business, is just as fresh today as it was two decades ago; perhaps even more so in the stagnant market certain areas of hip-hop today are enduring. Why does this album preserve so well in today's fickle hip-hop society?

Production which is unmatched by even some of the most-advanced producers today, and flows on par with your favorite emcee. Make no doubt about it, this is some of the dopest production you'll find on any album in hip-hop's extensive history, and it still a landmark for sampling in hip-hop music. The flows and rhymes? Far ahead of their time. Parrish has one of the smoothest flows this side of Big L and C.L. Smooth, while Erick Sermon has a thick-tongued New York accent, which is just as gruff as it is infectious. Their rhymes? Few people were kicking knowledge like EPMD back in '88; they set the precedents for emcees like GZA, Mood, and AZ who drop science in a mellow, and serene manner.

From start to finish, this album is tighter than nearly everything you're gonna find on the market; the samples are beautifully chosen, the rapping is elegant, and articulate, and the overall product is an album that even a hardcore hip-hop detractor would have to give props to. Not only a landmark in hip-hop, but a landmark in music; EPMD are true legends in the game. November 7, 2006

20 years later

this is one of those albums I could review in hundreds of thousands of words because I like it that much. but no matter how much I type, you still won't be able to experience this kind of music unless you listen to it for yourself.

"it's my thing" is undoubtedly one of, if not the single best hip-hop songs ever. everyone in hip-hop has taken a piece from that song, from the likes of dr. dre and snoop dogg ("next episode") to the roots and mos def ("double trouble") to tha alkaholiks ("only when I'm drunk", uses the same beat) to jay-z ("aint no n***a", also uses the same beat). the lyrics are hardcore and erick sermon completely destroys the track with his funky samples and lyrical firepower, and pmd is the lead hitter on the track with battle raps that are just as good.

if you ever listen to old school rap stations a lot, you'll notice that epmd, big daddy kane and slick rick get the most rotations. that's because they made some of the best hip-hop of all time. 1988 is easily the best year in hip-hop (only 93-95 can compare), and these guys are living proof. August 13, 2006

Defintion of a classic

"What more can I Say, I wouldnt be here today if the old school didnt pave the way". Damn Straight
And for me this is one of the top 5 old school hiphop albums of all time! And i Love my 80's and early 90's Hiphop.

You should have this by now, if not, buy it ASAP and just pretend you've had it before you get mocked! PEACE

If you found this helpful, check out my other reviews April 26, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...