Business As Usual (EPMD album)
Encyclopedia
Business as Usual is the third album from Hip Hop
duo EPMD
, and their first on leading rap label Def Jam as a result of being signed over (along with Nice & Smooth
) from their former label, Fresh Records
. This album was also the first release by Def Jam as an imprint under its new Rush Associated Labels subsidiary, which allowed founder Russell Simmons
more control and more ownership over its material, as the masters for proper Def Jam releases at that time were primarily owned by Sony Music's
Columbia Records
. Business as Usual was not as acclaimed as their first two albums, but was not considered to be a failure either. One notable aspect here was the debut of future Hip Hop star Redman, who appears on the tracks "Hardcore" and "Brothers on My Jock". Three singles were released from the album, "Gold Digger
", "Rampage (Slow Down, Baby)
" featuring LL Cool J
and "Give the People
". In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.
The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on May 7, 1991.
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
duo EPMD
EPMD
EPMD is an American hip hop group from Brentwood, New York. The group's name is a concatenation of the members' name "E" and "PMD" or an acronym for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars", referencing its members, emcees Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith...
, and their first on leading rap label Def Jam as a result of being signed over (along with Nice & Smooth
Nice & Smooth
Nice & Smooth was an East Coast hip hop duo from New York that consists of Greg Nice and Smooth B . The duo released four albums from the late 1980s to the mid 1990s...
) from their former label, Fresh Records
Sleeping Bag Records
Sleeping Bag Records is a defunct New York City-based old school hip hop and dance music independent record label that operated from 1981 to 1992...
. This album was also the first release by Def Jam as an imprint under its new Rush Associated Labels subsidiary, which allowed founder Russell Simmons
Russell Simmons
-External links:** * * * * * * from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum* *...
more control and more ownership over its material, as the masters for proper Def Jam releases at that time were primarily owned by Sony Music's
Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment ' is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America, the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation....
Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
. Business as Usual was not as acclaimed as their first two albums, but was not considered to be a failure either. One notable aspect here was the debut of future Hip Hop star Redman, who appears on the tracks "Hardcore" and "Brothers on My Jock". Three singles were released from the album, "Gold Digger
Gold Digger (EPMD song)
"Gold Digger" was the lead single from EPMD's third album, Business as Usual. It was produced by EPMD with scratches provided by fellow group member DJ Scratch and was the duo's first of two singles to make it to #1 on the Hot Rap Singles...
", "Rampage (Slow Down, Baby)
Rampage (song)
"Rampage" was the second hit single released from EPMD's third album, Business as Usual. EPMD's new-found labelmate, LL Cool J contributed a verse on the song, while Pete Rock would provide the remix to the song...
" featuring LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
and "Give the People
Give the People
"Give the People" was the third and final single released from EPMD's third album, Business as Usual. It peaked at 28 on the Hot Rap Singles.-Single track listing:#"Give the People" - 3:51#"Give The People" - 5:02...
". In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.
The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on May 7, 1991.
Track listing
| # | Title | Producer(s) | Performer (s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "I'm Mad" | EPMD | Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith |
| 2 | "Hardcore" | EPMD | Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith, Redman |
| 3 | "Rampage" | EPMD | Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith, L.L. Cool J |
| 4 | "Manslaughter" | EPMD | Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith |
| 5 | "Jane 3" | EPMD | Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith |
| 6 | "For My People" | EPMD | Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith |
| 7 | "Mr. Bozack" | EPMD | Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith |
| 8 | "Gold Digger" | EPMD | Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith |
| 9 | "Give the People" | EPMD | Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith |
| 10 | "Rap Is Outta Control" | EPMD | Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith |
| 11 | "Brothers on My Jock" | EPMD | Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith, Redman |
| 12 | "Underground" | EPMD | Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith |
| 13 | "Hit Squad Heist" | EPMD | Parrish Smith |
| 14 | "Funky Piano" | DJ Scratch DJ Scratch DJ Scratch is an American hip hop DJ and producer.-Career:DJ Scratch is the 1988 New Music Seminar Battle For World Supremacy DJ Champion, Grammy nominated, Multi Platinum Producer & The 2010 Master Of The Mix World Champion.... |
Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith |
Samples
- "I'm Mad"
- "The Payback(Intro)" by James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
- "Let's Take it to the Stage" by FunkadelicFunkadelicFunkadelic was an American band most prominent during the 1970s. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:...
- "Laid It" by The Ohio Players
- "Paul ReverePaul Revere (song)"Paul Revere" is a song by American hip hop group Beastie Boys, released as the third single from their debut album Licensed to Ill. It was written by Adam Horovitz, Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Rick Rubin. It was produced by Rick Rubin and the Beastie Boys...
" by Beastie BoysBeastie BoysBeastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar.... - " FameFame (David Bowie song)"Fame" is a song recorded by David Bowie, initially released in 1975. It reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the week of September 20, 1975.-Song development:...
" by David BowieDavid BowieDavid Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s... - " Strictly BusinessStrictly Business (EPMD song)"Strictly Business" is the debut single by EPMD from their debut album, Strictly Business. Written and produced by the duo, "Strictly Business" became EPMD's first charting single, becoming a minor hit on the R&B charts...
" by EPMD
- "The Payback(Intro)" by James Brown
- "Hardcore"
- "Don't Worry If There's A Hell Below(We're All Going to Go)" by Curtis MayfieldCurtis MayfieldCurtis Lee Mayfield was an American soul, R&B, and funk singer, songwriter, and record producer.He is best known for his anthemic music with The Impressions during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's and for composing the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Super Fly, Mayfield is highly...
- "Pride and Vanity" by The Ohio Players
- "So Wat Cha Sayin'So Wat Cha Sayin'"So Wat Cha Sayin" was the only single released from, EPMD's second album, Unfinished Business. Produced by EPMD with scratches provided by DJ Scratch, "So Wat Cha Sayin'" made it to three Billboard charts, peaking at #5 on the Hot Rap Singles....
" by EPMD - "Strictly Snappin Necks by EPMD
- "Don't Worry If There's A Hell Below(We're All Going to Go)" by Curtis Mayfield
- "Rampage"
- "Still Good-Still Like It" by B.T. ExpressB.T. ExpressB.T. Express was an American funk/disco group, that had a number of successful songs during the 1970s.-Career:...
- "Tramp" by Lowell Fusion
- "Lord of the Golden Baboon" by MandrillMandrillThe mandrill is a primate of the Old World monkey family, closely related to the baboons and even more closely to the drill. Both the mandrill and the drill were once classified as baboons in genus Papio, but recent research has determined they should be separated into their own genus, Mandrillus...
& *"The Symphony" by Marley MarlMarley MarlMarlon Williams , better known as Marley Marl, is an American DJ and record producer, who is considered one of the most important and influential hip-hop producers in the history of hip hop.-Biography:...
- "Still Good-Still Like It" by B.T. Express
- "Manslaughter"
- "Strange Games & Things" by Love Unlimited Orchestra
- "Strictly Snappin' Necks" by EPMDEPMDEPMD is an American hip hop group from Brentwood, New York. The group's name is a concatenation of the members' name "E" and "PMD" or an acronym for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars", referencing its members, emcees Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith...
- "Jane 3"
- "Get on the Good Foot" by James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
- "Papa Was Too" by Joe TexJoe TexJoseph Arrington, Jr. , better known as "Joe Tex", was an American Southern soul singer-songwriter, most popular during the 1960s and 1970s...
- "Get on the Good Foot" by James Brown
- "For My People"
- "You Can't Love Me If You Don't Respect Me" by Lyn CollinsLyn CollinsLyn Collins was an African American soul singer best known for working with James Brown in the 1970s. Contrary to some reports, she is not related to Bootsy Collins, nor Catfish Collins....
- "You Can't Love Me If You Don't Respect Me" by Lyn Collins
- "Mr. Bozack"
- "Synthetic Substitution" by Melvin Bliss
- "Take Some...Leave Some" by James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
- "Gold Digger"
- "It's A New Day" by James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
- "Think(About It)" by Lyn CollinsLyn CollinsLyn Collins was an African American soul singer best known for working with James Brown in the 1970s. Contrary to some reports, she is not related to Bootsy Collins, nor Catfish Collins....
- "My Thang" by James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
- "(Not Just) Knee Deep(Not Just) Knee Deep" Knee Deep" is a funk song running 15 minutes, 21 seconds on side 1 of Funkadelic's 1979 album Uncle Jam Wants You.-Song information:...
" by FunkadelicFunkadelicFunkadelic was an American band most prominent during the 1970s. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:... - "Fly Girl" by Boogie BoysBoogie BoysBoogie Boys was an American hip hop group from Harlem, New York. It was the first hip hop group that signed with Capitol/EMI Records, and it had a major hit in America in 1985 with the single "A Fly Girl" and several successful albums...
- "It's A New Day" by James Brown
- "Give The People"
- "Schoolboy Crush" by Average White Band
- "Give the People What They WantGive the People What They Want-Personnel:*Ray Davies - guitar, keyboards, vocals*Dave Davies - guitar, vocals*Jim Rodford - bass*Mick Avory - drums*Ian Gibbons - keyboards...
" by The O'JaysThe O'JaysThe O'Jays are an American R&B group from Canton, Ohio, formed in 1963 and originally consisting of Eddie Levert , Walter Williams , William Powell , Bobby Massey and Bill Isles. The O'Jays were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004, and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005... - "Fight the PowerFight the Power"Fight the Power" is a single by American hip hop group Public Enemy. First released on the soundtrack for the film 1989 Do the Right Thing, a different version was released on the group's third studio album, Fear of a Black Planet . The single reached number one on Hot Rap Singles and number 20 on...
" by Public Enemy
- "Rap Is Outta Control"
- "I Bet You" by FunkadelicFunkadelicFunkadelic was an American band most prominent during the 1970s. The band and its sister act Parliament, both led by George Clinton, began the funk music culture of that decade.-History:...
- "I Bet You" by Funkadelic
- "Brothers on My Jock"
- "I'm Black and I'm Proud" by James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
- "Nautilus" by Bob JamesBob James (musician)Robert McElhiney James is a jazz keyboardist, arranger and producer.-Biography:During the 1970s, Bob James played a major role in establishing the smooth jazz genre. "Angela", the instrumental theme from the sitcom Taxi, is probably Bob James' most well-known work to date...
- "So Wat Cha Sayin" by EPMD
- "I'm Black and I'm Proud" by James Brown
- "Underground"
- "Keep on Truckin'" by Eddie KendricksEddie KendricksEddie Kendricks was an American singer and songwriter. Noted for his distinctive falsetto singing style, Kendricks co-founded the Motown singing group The Temptations, and was one of their lead singers from 1960 until 1971. His was the lead voice on such famous songs as "The Way You Do The Things...
- "Funky Man" by Kool & The GangKool & the GangKool & the Gang are an American jazz, R&B, soul, and funk group, originally formed as the Jazziacs in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1964.They went through several musical phases during the course of their recording career, starting out with a purist jazz sound, then becoming practitioners of R&B and...
- "Hydra" by Grover Washington, Jr.Grover Washington, Jr.Grover Washington, Jr. was an American jazz-funk / soul-jazz saxophonist. Along with George Benson, John Klemmer, David Sanborn, Bob James, Chuck Mangione, Herb Alpert, and Spyro Gyra, he is considered by many to be one of the founders of the smooth jazz genre.He wrote some of his material and...
- "Keep on Truckin'" by Eddie Kendricks
- "Hit Squad Heist"
- "Hot Pants" by James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
- "Fly Like An Eagle" by Steve Miller BandSteve Miller BandThe Steve Miller Band is an American rock band formed in 1967 in San Francisco, California. The band is managed by Steve Miller on guitar and lead vocals, and is known for a string of mid-1970s hit singles that are staples of the classic rock radio format.-History:In 1965, Steve Miller and...
- "Hot Pants" by James Brown
- "Funky Piano"
- "Internationally Known" by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
- "I'll Play the Blues for You" by Albert KingAlbert KingAlbert King was an American blues guitarist and singer, and a major influence in the world of blues guitar playing.-Career:...
- "Please Listen to My Demo" by EPMD
- "So Wat Cha Sayin" by EPMD
- "Pump Me Up" by Trouble FunkTrouble FunkTrouble Funk is an American R&B and funk band from Washington, DC. It helped to popularize that area's local funk subgenre known as go-go. Among the band's well-known songs are the go-go anthem "Hey, Fellas." They released several studio albums including Drop the Bomb, In Times of Trouble, Live,...
- "La Di Da DiLa Di Da Di"La Di Da Di" is a rap song performed by Doug E. Fresh the beatboxer, and MC Ricky D as the rapper. It was originally released in 1985 as the B-side to "The Show". The song has since gained a reputation as an early hip hop classic, having been referenced in other hip hop songs.There are two...
by Doug E. FreshDoug E. FreshDouglas E. Davis , better known by the stage name Doug E. Fresh, is an American rapper, record producer, and beat boxer, also known as the Human Beat Box...
and Slick RickSlick RickRichard Walters , better known by his stage name Slick Rick is a Grammy-nominated English-American rapper... - "Jam-Master Jay" by Run-D.M.C.Run-D.M.C.Run–D.M.C. was an American hip hop group from Hollis, in the Queens borough of New York City. Founded by Joseph "Run" Simmons, Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels, and Jason "Jam-Master Jay" Mizell, the group is widely acknowledged as one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture.Run–D.M.C...
- "Timebomb" by Public Enemy
Album Chart Positions
| Year | Album | Chart positions | |
| Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums | ||
| 1990 | Business as Usual | #36 | #1 |
Singles Chart Positions
| Year | Song | Chart positions | ||
| Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | Hot Rap Singles | Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales | ||
| 1990 | "Gold Digger" | #14 | #1 | #24 |
| 1991 | "Rampage" | #30 | #2 | - |
| 1991 | "Give the People" | - | #28 | - |