They are rap's first great duo, one that excelled as rappers and producers. They are among the most-sampled rap acts of all time, their tunes having been mined by Jay-Z, DMX, 2Pac and Tha Alkaholiks, among many others. T... more »hey introduced funk-styled production to rap, paving the way for Dr. Dre's The Chronic. And even though their own rap skill was immense, they are also the best talent scouts in rap history, introducing the likes of Redman, Das EFX and Keith Murray. Then they broke up and reunited to rave reviews. The group is EPMD, undisputed legends in the rap game. Now, after more than 20 years in the game, EPMD returns with We Mean Business, their first album on their own EP Records and their seventh overall. The new collection is a testament to their Business plan. "All of our albums have Business in the title," Smith explains. "Now that we're in a new era and the game is changed, we realize that it's different from when we handed in a CD to our first label to being at Def Jam. Erick and I created our own vehicle to be able to drop this album. That's how we came with the title We Mean Business, because we do." EPMD updates its classic sound and sentiment on "Listen Up," a funk-drenched song complete with a talk box and featuring the one and only Mr. Teddy Riley. Recognizing EPMD's status as pioneers, Sermon acknowledges how important his lyrics are: "Can't talk ignorant/I got some intelligent folks that's digging it." Those same folks will be digging We Mean Business song "Roc Da Spot," a throwback of sorts to "You Gots To Chill," one of 1988's most acclaimed rap singles. "The beat had that EPMD sound, as far as the claps," Sermon says. "It had a familiarity to it because of the sound and, 20 years later, we've still got that funk coming." "It's very important for us to stay us," Smith adds. "People want to hear and see EPMD." That's because We Mean Business isn't just an album title for EPMD. It's a mindstate.« less
They are rap's first great duo, one that excelled as rappers and producers. They are among the most-sampled rap acts of all time, their tunes having been mined by Jay-Z, DMX, 2Pac and Tha Alkaholiks, among many others. They introduced funk-styled production to rap, paving the way for Dr. Dre's The Chronic. And even though their own rap skill was immense, they are also the best talent scouts in rap history, introducing the likes of Redman, Das EFX and Keith Murray. Then they broke up and reunited to rave reviews. The group is EPMD, undisputed legends in the rap game. Now, after more than 20 years in the game, EPMD returns with We Mean Business, their first album on their own EP Records and their seventh overall. The new collection is a testament to their Business plan. "All of our albums have Business in the title," Smith explains. "Now that we're in a new era and the game is changed, we realize that it's different from when we handed in a CD to our first label to being at Def Jam. Erick and I created our own vehicle to be able to drop this album. That's how we came with the title We Mean Business, because we do." EPMD updates its classic sound and sentiment on "Listen Up," a funk-drenched song complete with a talk box and featuring the one and only Mr. Teddy Riley. Recognizing EPMD's status as pioneers, Sermon acknowledges how important his lyrics are: "Can't talk ignorant/I got some intelligent folks that's digging it." Those same folks will be digging We Mean Business song "Roc Da Spot," a throwback of sorts to "You Gots To Chill," one of 1988's most acclaimed rap singles. "The beat had that EPMD sound, as far as the claps," Sermon says. "It had a familiarity to it because of the sound and, 20 years later, we've still got that funk coming." "It's very important for us to stay us," Smith adds. "People want to hear and see EPMD." That's because We Mean Business isn't just an album title for EPMD. It's a mindstate.
CD Reviews
Handlin' Business {3 ½ Stars}
Norfeest | Washington DC USA | 12/10/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"EPMD hit the scene in 1988 with the classic Strictly Business and went on to craft a strong catalog. They wound up breaking up for a long time and there were folks like myself that thought they'd never get back together. Well, after several reunion attempts and a small hiatus, they return 20 years after their debut with an album that, by 2008 standards, is nothing short of solid material. "Blow" brings an energy that most vets in the game as long as Erick and Parrish couldn't recapture if they tried. "Run It" features a dope, dope verse from KRS-One [Side Note: I just love how KRS continues to bring heat lyrically after almost 30 years of doin' this. "Run It" showcases him over the type of production that he needs and is sorely lacking on his own albums, but that's another story...] Keith Murray shows up and drops a vintage verse that exhibits the style that had cats holdin' their head back in '95/'96. That was probably the biggest surprise for this listener. There are many other dope tracks, but these were by far the highlights for me.
Despite the lovely rhymes and funky production, a few lame ducks manage to make their way onto the album. Erick & Parrish stumble out of the gate with flat tracks like "Puttin' Work In" and "What You Talkin'". They probably should've been left on the cutting room floor since they were so hum drum and lacked a great deal of energy...and "Left 4 Dead" features a solid 9th Wonder beat that Skyzoo almost rendered lame with a wack verse. Outside of that, the album flows from track to track with no problem.
We Mean Business is a solid release from the veteran L.I. duo. It's not necessarily required listening, and there are some tracks that feel uninspired, but there are enough bangers here to make getting this album a good idea. I recommend checking it out.
Standout Tracks: They Tell Me feat. Keith Murray (My Favorite), Run It feat. KRS-One, Yo feat. Redman, Listen Up feat. Teddy Riley, and Blow"
Still in business
Kurupt | chicago | 12/10/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"EPMD is a classic duo that has been rapping and creating good music for decades. Their latest release is nothing short of a very good release. The album does start a little slow. I liked raekwon's verse on PUTTIN IN WORK, but the song as a whole just didn't work for me. Same thing for WHAT YOU TALKING. The song didn't work for me and i am really not a big fan of Mobb Deep anymore. After that, the album bangs from track 3 to track 13! Awesome appearances by KRS-One, Method Man, Redman, and Keith Murray. Skyzoo's lame a$$ even had a decent verse in my opinion.. The production is dope and EPMD laid some good bars to go along with the beats. I would have to say it is neck and neck between RUN IT FT KRS and YO ft REDMAN as my favorites on the album. Highly recommended for new and old EPMD fans."
Give Em The Business
Darrin Brown | Savannah, Georgia | 12/10/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I've been waiting on this one since "BACK IN BUSINESS". EPMD is and has always been one of REAL hip-hop's best. If I had to rate hip-hop duo's since the beginning it would have to be RUN-DMC, EPMD and OUTKAST (in that order) The album is a breath of fresh air for hip-hop. Once I heard "BLOW" in knew the album would be vintage EPMD. With guest artists like KRS-ONE (Legend), REDMAN (Funk Doc) and KEITH MURRAY (Wordsmith), the formula stayed the same which in this case is a good thing. If it ain't broke don't fix it. If your a fan of ERICK and PARRISH or a fan of TRUE hip-hop, you won't be disappointed. Congrats on the new EP Record Label too."
EPMD - We Mean Business - 3.75 stars
MonsterJam | North Las Vegas, NV | 12/30/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The beats are generally pretty good, while others are excellent. The lyrics are pretty hot as well. This is a good effort, and if you're a fan of Eric, Parish and EPMD, then I think you will be satisfied with this CD.
Some highlights from the CD include:
What You Talkin - Eric drops more names than an episode of Entertainment Tonight. Beats tight.
Roc-Da-Spot - An old school feel with a fresh and relevant beat. Eric and Parish shine lyrically on this track.
Blow - Good lyrics, good beat. But when "One Mississippi, Two Mississippi, Three Mississippi..." is your chorus, you need to spend a few more hours in the recording studio looking for a new hook.
Run It - Is that Poor Righteous Teachers I here in the piano sample? Good jam.
Yo - Features Redman. `Nuff said!
Listen Up - The reason I bought the album. Eric's lyrics were OK, Parish was very good. The beat is arguably the best EPMD beat ever. Period.
Jane - I've always hated Jane songs. They felt cheep. But I gotta say this one is the most serious and well constructed of the bunch. Best of all, it incorporates elements of the predecessors.
I find it amusing that the early East Coast pioneers EPMD would drop so many names in their latest CD. The first track has at least three references toWu-Tang Clan; then again, they did feature Raekwon in that song...
I've always considered Eric my favorite as a kid (who didn't?), but Parish is clearly the hungrier of the two on this CD, and he really changed my mind on him. Good CD."
4.5 stars from one of rap's great groups
G$ | B-More, MD | 12/30/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It was half their lifetimes ago when the Long Island rap duo broke into the hip-hop scene, now 20 years later they return with their first album in 9 years. Like most of their albums, it is a very good one, and probably o a top 10 album of 2008 in my opinion. For the most part they still keep their nice funky sound that they came into the rap game with in the late 80's. With 13 songs, you get 1 classic, 1 almost classic, 1 ok song, the other 10 are good, with the majority being real good. Guests are on 8 of the 13 songs, so not as much form E-Dub and PMD as you'd have hoped for after waiting 9 yrs. Production is great as well, mostly handled by Erick Sermon (7 songs), Parrish Smith does 2, Ty Fyffe, JFK, DJ Honda, and 9th Wonder each do 1 song. A must have album from 2 of hi-hop's pioneers.
#1 - 9 (f/ Raekwon - nice beat)
#2 - 8.5 (f/ Havoc)
#3 - 9 (great funk beat from Sermon)
#4 - 9.5 (another great funky E-Dub beat)
#5 - 10 (CLASSIC --- f/ KRS-One - great beat)
#6 - 9 (f/ Redman - nice beat)
#7 - 8.5
#8 - 8.5
#9 - 8.5 (f/ Method Man - good beat)
#10 - 9 (another of the "Jane" series)
#11 - 7.5 (f/ Skyzoo)
#12 - 8.5 (f/ Keith Murray)
#13 - 8.5 (f/ Vic Damone & Tre)
ERICK SERMON -- Brentwood, Long Island, NY -- b. 11/25/68
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1