Strictly Business

EPMD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
• Original Release Date: 1988
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Priority Records
• ASIN: B000003B7B
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #22,840 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > Old School

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterpiece; one of the most influential albums in hip-hop., November 1, 2001

By	Mister Hip-Hop (The Land Where Hip-Hop And Jazz Live.) - See all my reviews

This album is a gem, it has influenced so many rap groups and emcees, and also has classic tracks. Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith (PMD) are an unforgettable duo, their styles go well together because they are very similar both voice-wise and flow-wise. However, Erick is more laid-back while PMD is more of a battle rapper. Erick Sermon is also a production genius and proves it with his work on this album. The samples from various groups on this record are used frequently because at that time you didn't have to give credit for it or even royalties. There are famous tunes from Kool & The Gang and Rick James that can be heard on this record. But, unlike someone like Puff Daddy who rips off the songs of others for his own personal benefit, EPMD use the samples sparingly and don't steal the whole song. Even though there are only ten songs on this album, every single one is worth listening to. That's why this album is so good, you can just chill to it if You Gots To Chill. Rappers on both the East and West Coast were heavily influenced by this record alone. The songs are not explicit at all and are kind of innocent, showing it was a time when hip-hop was just about fun, and not about ice, being a gangsta, or the celebrity life.

The album starts out with the classic title track "Strictly Business" where both emcees tear the song up over a hard beat. An instant classic song. "I'm Housin'" is a catchy track with good scratching and once again they both tear it up. "Let The Funk Flow" is yet another classic, and it has the beat Nas ripped off for his "Nastradamus" song, both emcees sound a little laid-back on this song which is nice, and they keep it simplified. "You Gots To Chill" has some vocoder sounds and the "Jungle Boogie" sample which sounds very much like something West Coast. Erick Sermon steals the show on this song with some great lines. "It's My Thing" is my favorite song on this album, with it's great bouncy beat you can't help but love. The Alkaholiks used this beat for their song "Only When I'm Drunk" showing the appeal of it. Once again, Erick Sermon steals the show: "If you want some water, I'll get you a cup, but if you don't want it then burn the hell up". "You're A Customer" is a good song, pretty much a traditional EPMD track, with its bouncing beat and funky chorus. Once again a good performance from both. "The Steve Martin" is a classic song, it's about a dance called "The Steve Martin", with a great saxophone-trumpet loop and a nice feel-good aura. "Get Off The Bandwagon" is a nice track telling all the people ridin' EPMD's jock to get off. This isn't one of the best songs on the album but it is definitely a good track. "DJ K La Boss" is also a nice party track with strictly an instrumental and no rapping, but DJ K. La Boss comes with some tight scratching on here. "Jane" is the final song on the album and it is EPMD dissing this girl named Jane who they make a song about on every one of their albums. This is just the beginning of it. The song is classic and also hilarious.

As I've said before, EPMD is one of the most influential groups of all-time, and this record really set the pace for two amazing careers in rap. SO MANY rappers have used lines on their record from EPMD, sampled them, or even remade their songs. Let's see if I can list all of the emcees who have done this: Nas, Snoop Dogg, The Dogg Pound, The Alkaholiks, Warren G, Ja Rule and The Murderers, Jay-Z, Redman, Foxy Brown, and a host of others both on the East and West Coast. This album started a legacy. An easy five stars.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Album I own!, January 23, 2000

By	G-Money (Glen Ellyn, IL United States) - See all my reviews

EPMD, are by far the best duo or group in rap history. Their first album, "Strictly Business" is probably one of the most influencial hip hop albums in history. While the Erick & Parrish showed their innovative "laid back" style of rapping, at the same time, they became the first artist to sample, mostly of Roger & Zapp. And to this day, hip hop artists even remake or take ideas that EPMD put out on this album. For example, the Alkaholiks 1993 single "Only When I'm Drunk" sampled the whole beat of "It's My Thing", as well as Nas' 1999 single "Nastradamas" contains the same sound and beat as "Let the funk Flow". This album paved the way for such rappers as "A Tribe Called Quest", who aren't afraid to admit that their favorite artists are EPMD. Erick and Parrish were truly making dollars on this album, which went Platinum without any radio play or music videos. This album is by far the best I own.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You gots to chill ... and listen to this masterpiece, May 12, 2005

By	Alan Pounds "Minnesota Hip-Hop Fiend" (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Oh yes, EPMD are all about chillin' like villains. This album is so different from most albums released in the "golden age" of rap. The music is laid-back, soulful and funky. They spit the dopest rhymes in their signature monotone flow, and make it seem like child's play. Their style was far different than anyone else's when it came to east coast rap. Everyone else delivered rhymes with such buildup and hype, while these guys turned their rhymes out as if they were talking directly to you in their everyday voice.

1988 was definitely THE year for rap and hip-hop, and this album is no exception. Tracks like "Strictly Business," "Let the Funk Flow," and "You Gots to Chill" were hip-hop anthems then, just as they are today. The latter featuring obvious samples, Zapp's "More Bounce to the Ounce" and Kool & the Gang's "Jungle Boogie," linked together with tight battle rhymes and very sweet production. There are great samples sprinkled throughout the album, including Bob Marley's "I Shot The Sheriff" on the title track.

"Strictly Business" is one of my favorite old-school rap albums, because it's so different from the norm. Their irresistible rhymes, and their free-flowing rhythm will keep your head nodding through the entire album.