It’s the debut album from the legendary duo from Long Island, New York, who carved their own lane with hard hitting beats and their signature “slow flow” delivery. E.P.M.D. which stands for Erick and Parrish Making Dollars, was seemingly a perfect combination for a time in HOP music where not only the aesthetics were changing but the music as well. Comparatively to a Run D.M.C., Erick and Parrish were more stripped down with less resources for distributing music but this also made them a bit more relatable.
‘Strictly Business’ is an album that not only sets a standard for the group but allowed for some of the most memorable quotes and songs in HOP music. From the b-boy anthem of ‘It’s My Thing,’ the infectious ‘You’re A Customer,’ and the inception of what would become a theme on their later albums ‘Jane.’ Even turning comedic actor Steve Martin into a dance; E.P.M.D. marked their territory for what was at the time an “underground audience” but the music would soon reach a worldwide fever pitch.
My earliest memory of the group were the videos for ‘You Gots To Chill’ and ‘Strictly Business.’ At the time my only method of hearing HOP music was through video shows so seeing the dancers in ‘You Gots To Chill’ was an overstimulating factor in me wanting to dance just like them. To this day I still quote the passive aggressive introduction of the “M.C. Sherriff, the best in town” from the ‘Strictly Business’ video. However I did not get around to hearing this album in full until 2007. Ironically enough (and I promise not planned) I finally bought this album the day Little Brother’s ‘Get Back’ released. That album’s cover art paying homage to E.P.M.D.’s debut.
E.P.M.D. would have a bit of a roller-coaster ride in their careers as a group and solo acts. At current date they are still a group and tour, but best believe when performing songs from an album almost 40 years old, the crowd, whether new or old still have the same exhilaration. What did you think of the album?
Singles include:
‘It’s My Thing,’ ‘You Gots to Chill,’ ‘Strictly Business’ & ‘I’m Housin’
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