Customer Reviews

Business As Usual

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4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Business As Usual (Def Jam 1990)

Long Island have raised a couple of rap legends up through the years. Rakim and the whole Public Enemy are originally from that area. The buddies Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith from Brentwood should also make huge success, and in the wake of the singles "It's My Thing" and "Strictly Business", their debutalbum sold to gold in just three weeks. This was impressive salenumbers in 1988, and since that EMPD have become one of hip-hops most famous duos. Their third album, which was their first for Def Jam, are in my opinion their highlight in their impressive long careers.

On Business As Usual, EPMD appears rougher than before, and even though a hardcore image ain't quite them, it was at least very timeright. Erick and Parrish have never sounded better than here. Check out "Hardcore" and "Brothers On My Jock", and the man himself LL Cool J are guest on the sovereign hitsingle, "Rampage". DJ Scratch have an insane hook on this song, where his scratching sound genius. It sounds very energetic, and it's hard to explain, but the whole record basically has an unique energy and mood feel which make you never get tired of it. When it comes to production, EPMD had dug deeper after funk-samples this time. They moved away from Roget Troutman and George Clinton to advantage for names like Bob James and O'Jays. The production was also more dynamic. You needed more than just loop now. You needed more layers with samples, and E Double and PMD accepted the challenge successfully. They perfectionized their formula for beatmakin', on the same time they sat a new standard for 90's hip-hop.


Their flawless debutalbum, Strictly Business, introduced us to a new type of funk which was about to affect a whole generation of producers. The follow-up, Unfinished Business, became a more coarse affair. On their third try everything matched. In fact this is so good I have it in my top 10-list, and it's actually Just Blaze's favorite record. He got his inspiration from this one, listen to The Game "No More Fun And Games", where Just used the same sample as the EPMD song "For My People".

You need this in your collection. Buy "Strictly Business" too, more classic material from EPMD.

I see a couple of heads calling this album classic......and then giving it less than 5 stars. Go figure.

Anyway, this is a 5 star banger without question. I said this in my other two EPMD reviews and I'll say it here, only a few other groups hit the ground running and dropped three straight classics: A Tribe Called Quest, BDP, Outkast (and quite possibly Organized Konfusion). What makes Business As Usual such a banger is the varied subject matter over hardcore production. EPMD had a knack for storytelling and covered a crazy range of topics. Whether they tackle things like money hungry women (Gold Digger), raps influence on mainstream America (Give The People), rocking collaborations (Rampage), or just straight taking out sucker MCs (Hardcore), they do so all with a precision and flare that was practically flawless. And as a DJ, I can't forget to mention that DJ Scratch is simply one of the illest there's ever been. The scratches and cuts are definitely high grade. His skills are put on display for all to see all throughout the album (the scratches on Funky Piano are tighter that gnat booty).

If there are flaws on this album you'd be hard pressed to find them. I wasn't really feeling their attempt to sound "hard" on this album, but it works, so I can't really call it a flaw.

Business As Usual is indeed a certified classic. EPMD kept the clubs dancin' and got the street heads open. The beats are beyond dope, the rhymes are on point, and the scratches and cuts are nothing short of superior....and lets not forget that this is the album that Redman made his debut on. There's no way this album is anything less than 5 stars. This is a MUST HAVE album from one of the best groups in hip hop history.

Standout Tracks: Give the People, Mr. Bozack, Rampage feat. LL Cool J, Gold Digger (My Favorite), Funky Piano, Jane III, Brothers On My Jock, Hardcore feat. Redman, Hit Squad Heist feat. Redman and K Solo, & Rap Is Outta Control

You have to hand it to Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith. This duo has been putting out consistant album after consistant album since '88. My first taste of them was back in '99 when they released their final album Out of Business, but I remember those days when I used to watch BET years ago, and one day I saw the video for the song "Rampage" featuring LL Cool J (why was he behind the curtain in the video???). That song there reminded me of some hardcore east coast hip hop.

Business As Usual has many classic tracks on here. Redman gets his first appearance on the song "Hardcore" and "Brothers On My Jock" both excellent tracks. Another excellent track on here is "Manslaughter" where Erick and Parrish rhyme over a dope beat. Before Kanye West went popular with the song "Gold Digger", Erick and Parish had a song with the exact title and the same subject matter. I also like the beat to that song here as well. I personally believe that is the best track on this LP.

And the production here is done by Erick and Parish as well, with the exception of "Funky Piano" which was by George Spivey. The production here has that EPMD flavor that everyone loves so much. "Jane 3" has a nice beat as well and was produced nicely (with the samples and etc.). "Rap Is Outta Control" has a boom bap, neck snapping beat to it (I swear they are freestyling on this track).

There aren't really too much complaints about the album. EPMD's "Business As Usual" is definately worth owning. Also it wasn't easy to make, seeing that this came out in 1990, and the fact that Strictly Business & Unfinished Business were both made in '88 and '89 respectively. So making three albums in three years wasn't easy to do, not to mention that they are constistant year after year. Erick and Parrish are still running on this album. "Business As Usual" isn't their best LP, but it was definately one of the best in '90. Fans of 90's rap will love this album. They would go on to release Business Never Personal in '92 (which is out of print, why?) and break up into their solo careers for five years. In fact, I recommend the first four albums, because all of them are classic or near classic LPs. Peace!

Lyrics: A-
Production: A+
Guest Appearances: A
Musical Vibes: A

My Top 5 Tracks:
1. Gold Digger
2. Rampage (featuring LL Cool J)
3. Manslaughter
4. Hardcore (featuring Red Man)
5. Jane 3

Honorable Mention Tracks
1. Rap Is Outta Control
2. Hit Squad Heist (with Redman and K Solo)

Classic. Hard from start to finish. No nonsense from the brothers from Brentwood, Long Island. Erick and Parrish spend this album pretty much doing what they do best: harassing bitin' emcees,gettin' stupid amounts of paper and grabbing their d!$ks like real men! EPMD had a swagger about them that was all their own. This album is a microcosm of what it meant to be "flossin'" or more appropriately "livin' large" in the 90's. The production on this album is funkier than an African n!$$az underarms after a Parliament concert. Many of the beats are tight by today's standards. Erick and Parrish beat up the booth, especially Parrish with lines like "I'm top gun/pullin b!%@#es like Tom Cruise" and "I clock gees while you clock zees/and I don't smoke crack I smoke emcees".Combustible. Parrish Smith is the Elton Brand of late eighties/early nineties hip hop. "Business As Usual" is arguably EPMD's best work to date. Everything clicked on this album. Even the G.O.A.T., Todd Smith himself came in and murdered his verse on "Rampage", one of the album's strongest cuts. Peep the album's other co- star, a young Red Man spittin' imflammably (new word) on "Hardcore" and "Brothers on my Jock". Get this album immediately and don't be surprised if you find yourself defiantly grabbing your bozack as you warn all suckas to get off of it.

Business as Usual is EPMD's junior album. At this point in careers, most MCs can't live up to thier earlier efforts. However, I'm going to have to disagree with some of the other reviewers. This album outdoes both Strictly Business and Business as Usual. Their skills are even more polished then before, the chemistry between Parrish and Erick is more entertaining then ever, and the signiture production (mostly done by pMd) is as addictive as ever. It took me a second to get into the album, probably due to the sound differing a bit from the first two. However, once I spinned it twice, I knew EPMD has to be one of the finest crews ever to rock the mic. All the tracks are great, but some examples include: "I'm Mad!" the tradition opening club banger, "Mr. Bozak" in which pMd has a conversation with his man-hood, and "Give the People" a more political song about thier black pride over an extra funky beat. Redman and LL Cool J both make memorable guest spots. Don't sleep, this is a timeless album in classic EPMD fassion.

This release is off the chain. I have been bumping it once again for the last week in my car. We all know how dope EPMD is and the production the album is exceptional. What really did it for me besides the superior lyrical flow of Erick and Parrish are the guest appearances. The album has LL on here before he became the sugar side of the shredded wheat and gave birth to one of my favorite artists REDMAN!!! Every time I hear Hardcore, it takes me back to when I first heard the song and gets me just as hyped as the first time I heard it. This album is a classic along with the first two, but to me it is the best one out of the first three.

Business as usual finds the E and P at their hardest. Parrish was my n*gga back in the day. He was like the east coast version of MC Ren, the way he came with his rhymes. Loved Erick's flow too. Favorites are Hardcore, Give the People, Manslaughter, Funky Piano and Gold Digger.

As the title suggests "Business As Usual" is another typical EPMD album. However, if you've forgotten, a typical EPMD album is nothing less than stellar. This is probably their most ignored album. This is just as incredible as their first two, but perhaps lost initial appeal because fans expected the greatness of "Usual" before it was released. Like the duo's previous two efforts it's just as classic, (although not perfect) it's the same old EPMD.

"Business as Usual", has the duo laying down their usually unbelievable tracks. The album jumps off to a quick start with the break-neck "I'm Mad". The track viciously scratches at the listener while EPMD sounds like they have something to prove. While the title "Harcore" may not reflect the track if compared to today's standards, in 91 the title was a perfect fit. The track features the debut of Redman and he immediately shows his potential ("Redman ready to rock ruff rhymes/ Renegade rapper, rip when it's rhyme time"). The track can lumber on a bit, but the lyrics carry it pretty well. The sick beat for "Rampage" features some timeless lyrics by Parish as well as LL - who hasn't sound this good since ("A clip to slip in and start rippin'/ Divin' and dippin' and givin' punks a whippin'/ Just in case you wanna go a few rounds and so/ I'm down so that you clowns will know/ Me gettin' burnt or hurt won't be tolerated/ I got rhymes up the *uh-huh* forget it, I'm constipated"). The classic production on "Manslaughter" is sure to be recognizable by the most novice rap fan and is my favorite track on the album. By this point you can really tell Parish & Erick have improved a lot lyrically, sounding stronger than ever.

"Jane 3" continues on the series, and while the beat is enjoyable, it's wasted by the subject which is quite boring (and at the end, somewhat questionable). It doesn't hurt too much as it's easy to listen to at a short 2:36. For those who stay up with new rap, you'll know the production on "For My People" was recently used for The Game's "No More Fun And Games". While I must say the rookie made it respectable by ripping the track up, it's tough to live up to Parish & Erick's verses (even without considering it was 14 years ago). "Mr. Bozack" is a concept track that is equally funny as it is clever, with Eric playing the role of Parish's... bozack.

"Gold Digger" is a classic track, being one of the first times this subject was brought up on a full track. The thumping bass and sweet samples sound just as tight as ever today. "Give The People" uses the pleasing funky samples to ironically address the evils of selling out and going commercial.

EPMD nicely switch up their style a little bit by slowing it up for "Rap Is Outta Control". The two flow perfectly to match the beat, and show their versatility. "Brothers on My Jock" flips a James Brown sample originally used by Ultramagnetic MC's and later on by Ghostface Killer for "Daytona 500". Redman again shows up to rip the mic but Parish really shines here in half the time("So swing low and lick up ballz/ I'm like Scharzenegger, correcting s*** in Total Reee- call ").

"Underground" is solid and enjoyable, but nothing special. The only real misstep is the short "Hit Squad Heist" which tries to play out like a heist tale, but is really pointless. Nothing really happens that's intriguing, nor are any rhymes very clever, making the track pretty much pointless. Fortunately, you can always expect EPMD to go out hard. "Funky Piano" ends the album triumphantly with the duo again sounding solid, but the gusto is completely stolen by DJ Scratch's production and ridiculous scratching. Every one of these tracks is in typical EPMD fashion.

Without question, there are 11 tracks on hear that are excellent. The rest are certainly no worse than ok, and for some probably pretty enjoyable. Either way it's hard to refuse the overall quality of "Business As Usual". Even today, you can easily play this album without ever getting sick of the beats or lyrics. If you love early 90's hip-hop, but have overlooked this album, you're definitely missing out.
(8.5/10)

The quintessential EPMD recording. By far my favorite, the beats and lyrics just flow together effortlessly. Be sure to check out the tracks "Hardcore", "Manslaughter", and "Rap is Outta Control" for true double mic rap action at it's best. EPMD - pure unadulterated hip hop, 10 years running...

In 1990, I copped this album because I knew EPMD had some hits. Little did I know that it would turn out to be the greatest rap album EVER! No, the hits on this album didn't get burn like their first 2 albums, but it is easily their tightest package. E-Double and P spit napalm on this with more charisma than ever before. "I'm Mad" is total kaos, with loco horn & piano loops and Beastie Boys voice sample. E & P's vocals slice and dice the track and their chemistry is perfected with P seemingly snatching the mic from E on the last verse. "Hardcore" features an alphabetically-inclined Redman "ready to rock rough rhymes", proving his value off top to the Hit Squad. Gutter funk guitars, heavy bass, and EPMD's grittier slow flows make this a winner. "Rampage" (2nd single) is straight lyrical assault with the illustrious LL Cool J rolling up his sleeves. LL was huge at the time, but EPMD actually did HIS career a favor with this one. All spit cutting edge rhymes over an Otis Redding "Tramp" sample. "Manslaughter" is EPMD bread and butter. Erick & Parrish get type gully, laying criminal mindstate metaphors down on a slick Barry White sample. Coincidentally, sampling on this song (among others) started a whirlwind of legal problems with sample clearing for EPMD. "Jane 3" is the best of the infinite saga, with Jane resurfacing as "Jay", a transvestite with a grudge. This joint is a perfect example of how each cut on this album was thought out to the point that a movie could be made off each one. "Jane 3" also birthed "Audi 5000", one of the many trendsetting terms that this legendary group gave the world. "For My People" is raw, high-powered energy bobbing and weaving through a fuzz guitar track and P's trademark voice sampling. E & P scream every ounce of themselves into this jam and this is one of my favorites. "Mr. Bozack" is an ingenious masterpiece with P carrying a conversation with his genitalia (played by Erick). At the end, "Mr. Bozack" sneezes, which represents the discharge that occurs with gonorrhea. Parrish, in denial, continues his deadly habits, which come to an abrupt end. This is just the first half, y'all...

"Gold Digger" (1st single) knocks for the club or the ride, while E & P crisply reminisce on their experiences with money-hungry shorties, then have the listener po' broke and lonely by the end. "Give The People" (3rd single) samples the O'Jays "Give The People What They Want" and EPMD take the time to speak on the politics of the rap game and rappers' rights to speak what they feel and not what they're told. "Rap Is Outta Control" had me checking the jacket to see who was rhyming. The novocaine-like flows that E & P let off are so different and unorthodox, even for this album. This is an ignorant dumb-out session that became a well-deserved classic gem. "Brothers On My Jock" is my favorite. Erick, Parrish and a returning Redman run circles around a Bob James' "Nautilis" sample. The three can do no wrong here, switching from textbook braggadocio ("Straight-up B-boy/Real McCoy like Bruce Leroy/Strap the bozack when I'm stampin' a skeezoid") to impromptu imagery ("Boy, you're puff, puff, puff soft like a smokestack") instantaneously. "Underground" is a laid-back street-level jam to get low to. Erick & Parrish take somewhat of a breather on this one, but are not stingy with the quadraverbs at all. It only adds dimension to this album. "Hit Squad Heist" is more street cinema, where Erick, Parrish, K-Solo and Redman manage to pull off a bank robbery and blow the cops to kingdom come. More creative interactive hiphop for your buttocks. The album closes with "Funky Piano". Here, the also legendary DJ Scratch is front and center. EPMD never settled for less than best when choosing a DJ. DJ Scratch shows and proves and breaks fool on the 1s and 2s, and it sounds like there might be 3s and 4s here too! EPMD sets him up with introductory rhymes, but Scratch is the star of this show and arguably the greatest DJ of all time.

What else could you possibly want in a rap album? Erick and Parrish outdid themselves here, setting trends in hiphop, taking metaphors/similes to another level, rocking the clubs and the streets, movie making on wax, and spittin' fire and coming off intelligent while doing it. And to think these cats were just hitting their 20s when this dropped! This album is classic because EPMD didn't OD on any one topic (women, money, cars, etc.). If you need an escape from today's overly materialistic hiphop music, check these cats who make dollars, but mean business.