Strictly Business: An Unforgettable Bang in East Coast Hip-Hop

Exploring EPMD's impact on the hip-hop movement. #HipHop50

In the vibrant spring of 1988, a twosome named EPMD - Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith - emerged from the bustling boroughs of New York, armed with nothing but a fresh vibe and an untamed spirit. Their debut album played a remarkable role in shifting the direction of East Coast hip-hop with Strictly Business.

EPMD's production style was an intoxicating breath of fresh air. Erick Sermon, the man behind the mixing desk, stripped away the high gloss of popular hip-hop, opting instead for a raw and punchy soundscape. Built on full drum loops and amplified by soul and funk samples, the 'Strictly Business' beats were intoxicating. This was no mere experiment. It was a game-changer.

In the nucleus of EPMD was the remarkable synergy between Sermon and Smith. This synergy was not a harmonious alignment of two like-minded talents but a fine balance of stark contrasts that enhanced their overall output paradoxically. Erick, the self-proclaimed Green Eyed Bandit, was a poet of the streets, dishing out hard-hitting rhymes with a suave that screamed "effortless." On the other hand, Parrish Smith brought an electrifying energy that bounced off the walls of their tracks. This dynamism, a blend of laid-back smoothness and raw energy, would define EPMD's unique flavor.

Strictly Business played a seminal role in the hip-hop "golden age," which was about creating music and breaking free from the constraints of commercial dictates. EPMD walked this fine line, finding success without sacrificing its authenticity. They were neither selling out arenas nor languishing in underground clubs. They were on the airwaves, yet still on the streets. This delicate balance was their secret sauce.

The album's wordplay, full of wit and veiled references, was a lesson in the craft of rhyming. Future artists took cues from the inventive wordplay that gave EPMD's tracks their distinctive voice. Words became weapons, stories, dialogues, puzzles, and life philosophies on Strictly Business. The slick repartee between Sermon and Smith was a defining characteristic of the album that young hip-hop artists would later try to emulate.

Delving into the album's standout tracks, the titular “Strictly Business” is a glorious showcase of EPMD's style. Fueled by an Eric Clapton sample, the song resonates with a boom-bap rhythm that personifies the East Coast hip-hop movement. “You Gots to Chill,” another seminal track, is a sonic monument to EPMD's unique ability to balance the funky with the streetwise.

Yet, what truly sets EPMD apart and Strictly Business ahead of its time was the pair's skill at maintaining a dual presence - achieving commercial success while retaining street credibility. It was the delicate dance between mainstream acceptance and underground roots that made Strictly Business an album that not only reflected the vibrancy of the era but shaped it.

Strictly Business cast a long shadow over East Coast hip-hop in the following years. The production techniques that felt fresh in '88 became norms. The punchy, sample-driven beats became a staple. Erick and Parrish's rhyming techniques and intriguing dynamic would inspire future duos and collectives.

In examining EPMD's debut, we don't merely unearth an album but a significant chapter in the history of East Coast hip-hop. EPMD's unique blueprint helped shape the sound of East Coast hip-hop, which continues to echo through the genre today.