# EPMD > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/EPMD > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/EPMD.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPMD > Source revision: 1355909771 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American hip hop duo from New York}} {{distinguish|BPMD}} {{Use American English|date=December 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = EPMD | image = EPMD (9288244052).jpg | caption = | background = group_or_band | alias = Erick & Parrish Making Dollars, Erick & Parrish Millennium Ducats | origin = [Islip, New York](/source/Islip%2C_New_York), U.S. | genre = [East Coast hip-hop](/source/East_Coast_hip-hop) | works = [Discography](/source/EPMD_discography) | years_active = {{hlist|1987–1993{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lg4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA21|title=EPMD Reopens For 'Business'|issn=0006-2510|magazine=[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))|date=July 26, 1997|access-date=November 17, 2019}}|1997–present }} | label = {{hlist|[Sleeping Bag](/source/Sleeping_Bag_Records)|[Def Jam](/source/Def_Jam_Recordings)|[RBC](/source/RBC_Records)|[BMG](/source/BMG_Rights_Management)|[Roc Nation](/source/Roc_Nation) }} | past_member_of = [Hit Squad](/source/Hit_Squad) | website = | current_members = [Erick Sermon](/source/Erick_Sermon)
[PMD](/source/PMD_(rapper)) | past_members = }} '''EPMD''' is an American [hip hop](/source/Hip-hop) duo from [Brentwood, New York](/source/Brentwood%2C_New_York). The duo's name is an initialism for "'''Erick and Parrish Making Dollars'''", referring to its members: [emcees](/source/rappers) [Erick Sermon](/source/Erick_Sermon) ("E" a.k.a. E Double) and [Parrish Smith](/source/Parrish_Smith) ("PMD" a.k.a. Parrish Mic Doc). During an interview on college radio station WHOV in 1987, Parrish Smith stated that the name evolved from the original: "We were originally known as "EEPMD" (Easy Erick and Parrish the Microphone Doctor), but chose to go with EPMD because it was easier to say." He also stated that they dropped the two "E's" because [N.W.A](/source/N.W.A)'s Eric Wright was already using "[Eazy-E](/source/Eazy-E)" as his stage name. The group has been active for {{Age|1987|1|1}} years (minus two breakups in 1993 and 1999). ==History== ===Early years and mainstream success: 1987–1992=== Hailing from [Brentwood](/source/Brentwood%2C_New_York), [Long Island, New York](/source/Long_Island%2C_New_York), EPMD's first [album](/source/album), ''[Strictly Business](/source/Strictly_Business_(EPMD_album))'', appeared in 1988 and featured the underground hit "Strictly Business," which sampled [Eric Clapton](/source/Eric_Clapton)'s version of [Bob Marley](/source/Bob_Marley)'s "[I Shot the Sheriff](/source/I_Shot_the_Sheriff)." Many critics cite this first album as the group's most influential.{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}} The group's brand of funk-fueled [sample](/source/sampling_(music))-heavy hip-hop proved to be a major force in the genre. Unlike [old school hip hop](/source/old_school_hip_hop), which was originally based on [disco](/source/disco) hits but eventually became more [electronic](/source/electro_(music)), EPMD based its music mainly on lifting funk and rock breaks for samples and helped to popularize their usage, along with [Marley Marl](/source/Marley_Marl) and [Public Enemy](/source/Public_Enemy_(band)). "You're a Customer" combined snippets of [Steve Miller](/source/Steve_Miller_(musician))'s "[Fly Like an Eagle](/source/Fly_Like_an_Eagle_(song))," [Kool & the Gang](/source/Kool_%26_the_Gang)'s "[Jungle Boogie](/source/Jungle_Boogie), the bass line from [ZZ Top](/source/ZZ_Top)'s "[Cheap Sunglasses](/source/Cheap_Sunglasses)" and drum beat (Roger Linn LM-2 machine). "Jane," about a romantic rendezvous gone bad, would be revisited on no less than five sequels; a first for hip-hop. "[You Gots to Chill](/source/You_Gots_to_Chill)" used 1980s funk band [Zapp](/source/Zapp_(band))'s "More Bounce to the Ounce," which has become one of the most enduring sample sources for hip-hop. EPMD later appeared on the single "Everybody (Get Up)" by [Zapp](/source/Zapp_(band)) frontman [Roger Troutman](/source/Roger_Troutman) on his last solo album, [''Bridging The Gap''](/source/Bridging_the_Gap_(Roger_Troutman_album)), in 1991. "I'm Housin'" was covered some 12 years later by [Rage Against the Machine](/source/Rage_Against_the_Machine). Managed early on by [Russell Simmons](/source/Russell_Simmons)' RUSH Management, the group toured with such hip-hop luminaries as [Run-DMC](/source/Run-DMC), [Public Enemy](/source/Public_Enemy_(band)), and [DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince](/source/DJ_Jazzy_Jeff_%26_the_Fresh_Prince).[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p36/biography|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic Biography] thumb|right|270px|Promotional EPMD T-shirt for its 1990 ''Business as Usual'' album EPMD signed with [Fresh/Sleeping Bag Records](/source/Sleeping_Bag_Records), which eventually released its debut album, ''[Strictly Business](/source/Strictly_Business_(EPMD_album))'', by [electro funk](/source/Electro_(music)) pioneer [Kurtis Mantronik](/source/Kurtis_Mantronik), who also worked as an [A&R](/source/A%26R) representative for the label. Propelled by several strong singles ("You Gots to Chill" and the album's title track), the album was eventually certified gold, selling over 500,000 copies{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}}, as did 1989's follow-up, ''[Unfinished Business](/source/Unfinished_Business_(EPMD_album))''. Financial frustrations followed when Sleeping Bag went under in 1992. The two EPMD albums and [Nice & Smooth](/source/Nice_%26_Smooth)'s debut album were acquired by [Priority/EMI Records](/source/Priority_Records) before the label was sold to Warlock Records. The duo's Sleeping Bag contract was acquired by [Def Jam](/source/Def_Jam_Records). EPMD returned in 1990 with ''[Business As Usual](/source/Business_As_Usual_(EPMD_album))'' and ''[Business Never Personal](/source/Business_Never_Personal)'' two years later. By 1992, the group presided over an extended family dubbed the [Hit Squad](/source/Hit_Squad), which included [Redman](/source/Redman_(rapper)), [K-Solo](/source/K-Solo), [Das EFX](/source/Das_EFX), [Hurricane G](/source/Hurricane_G), and [Knucklehedz](/source/Knucklehedz). In 1992, EPMD had a hit with its song "Crossover," which lamented rappers making blatant concessions to pop sensibilities in order to get mainstream attention from music audiences. The song became a hit, peaking at No. 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and in doing so becoming their biggest hit to date. ===First breakup and feud: 1993–1996=== EPMD called it quits in 1993, under controversial circumstances. According to interviews in ''[The Source](/source/The_Source_(magazine))'' and ''[Rap Pages](/source/Rap_Pages)'', in late 1991, Smith's house was burglarized by armed intruders. According to Smith, in the ensuing police investigation, one of the apprehended culprits supposedly gave up Sermon's name as having allegedly paid them to do it. Sermon was arrested and briefly detained for questioning, but no charges were filed. Still, it led to lingering tensions, and by the time of the break-up, Sermon alleged financial impropriety on Smith's part. The duo found itself as solo artists by default: Sermon debuted in 1993 with ''[No Pressure](/source/No_Pressure_(Erick_Sermon_album))'', followed by ''[Double or Nothing](/source/Double_or_Nothing_(Erick_Sermon_album))'' (1995), ''[Def Squad Presents Erick Onasis](/source/Def_Squad_Presents_Erick_Onasis)'' (2000), ''[Music](/source/Music_(Erick_Sermon_album))'' (2001), and ''React'' (2002). Smith released 1994's ''[Shade Business](/source/Shade_Business)'', followed by ''[Business is Business](/source/Business_Is_Business_(PMD_album))'' in 1996. ===First reunion and second breakup: 1997–2005=== The duo reunited in 1997, recording a comeback LP, ''[Back in Business](/source/Back_in_Business_(EPMD_album))''. In 1998, a remix of the song "Strictly Business" appeared by the A&R man who signed the duo while at Fresh/Sleeping Bag, [Kurtis Mantronik](/source/Kurtis_Mantronik). Sermon released an album with Redman and [Keith Murray](/source/Keith_Murray_(rapper)) as the [Def Squad](/source/Def_Squad) in 1998: ''[El Niño](/source/El_Ni%C3%B1o_(Def_Squad_album))'' was certified gold{{Citation needed|date=July 2008}} that same year. EPMD's last LP, ''[Out of Business](/source/Out_of_Business)'', was released in 1999 as both a single CD and a [limited edition](/source/special_edition) [double CD](/source/double_CD). The limited edition double CD contained both new material and rerecorded versions of its greatest hits. Smith released ''[The Awakening](/source/The_Awakening_(PMD_album))'' (2003) on his own Hit Squad label, and Sermon released ''[Chilltown, N.Y.](/source/Chilltown%2C_N.Y.)'' (2004) on [Motown/Universal](/source/Motown_Records). A [Hit Squad](/source/Hit_Squad) compilation LP (overseen by Smith, featuring a new EPMD track) was released on Nervous Recordings in 2004. ===Second reunion: 2006–present=== A reunited EPMD with [DJ Scratch](/source/DJ_Scratch) performed live at the Rock the Bells Tour in New York on October 14, 2006, at ''B.B. King Blues Club & Grill'', their first NYC show in eight years. The tour also featured former Hit Squad members Keith Murray, Das EFX, and Redman. Two months later, EPMD and Keith Murray released a new song, titled "The Main Event," produced by DJ Knowhow. In the March 2007 issue of Swedish hip-hop magazine ''Quote'', Erick Sermon and Parish Smith talked about whether the duo planned to record together again. On its recent tour, the group announced that it was working on a new album, tentatively titled ''We Mean Business''. On June 27, 2007, the group appeared on BET's ''Rap City'' to freestyle. EPMD's new single, "Blow",{{Cite web|url=http://allhiphop.com/blogs/multimedia__music/archive/2007/08/08/18378990.aspx|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014021359/http://allhiphop.com/blogs/multimedia__music/archive/2007/08/08/18378990.aspx|url-status=dead|title=Multimedia / Music : EPMD|archive-date=October 14, 2007|access-date=June 22, 2021}} was released on vinyl from Unique Distribution during August 2007 as a prelude to a new album that was to be released in 2008. The song instantly became a regular feature on the [Funkmaster Flex](/source/Funkmaster_Flex) show. The same month, the duo made a number of surprise live appearances, including the Rock the Bells tour with [Rage Against the Machine](/source/Rage_Against_the_Machine), [Wu-Tang Clan](/source/Wu-Tang_Clan), [Cypress Hill](/source/Cypress_Hill), [Mos Def](/source/Mos_Def) and others. In June 2008, during an interview with HipHopGame, Erick and Parish confirmed that ''[We Mean Business](/source/We_Mean_Business_(album))'' would be released on September 9. The album eventually emerged in December 2008, and featured guest appearances from the likes of [KRS-One](/source/KRS-One) and [Redman](/source/Redman_(rapper)) amongst others. In the end of the interview, they mentioned the possibility of a [Hit Squad](/source/Hit_Squad)/[Def Squad](/source/Def_Squad) double disc album, but that they had problems with [K-Solo](/source/K-Solo).{{cite web |url=http://www.hiphopgame.com/index2.php3?page=epmd |title=Exclusive Hip Hop News, Audio, Lyrics, Videos, Honeys, Wear, Sneakers, Download Mixtapes |publisher=Hiphopgame.com |date=June 25, 2008 |access-date=March 5, 2013 |archive-date=April 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413002746/http://www.hiphopgame.com/index2.php3?page=epmd |url-status=dead }} On August 3, 2008, EPMD joined [Method Man & Redman](/source/Method_Man_%26_Redman) on stage at the Rock the Bells concert at Jones Beach, New York. The following month, EPMD took the stage as part of AllHipHop.com's ''Breeding Ground'' event at S.O.B.'s in New York City.{{cite web |url=http://www.allhiphop.com/photos/flicks/picture20528991.aspx |title=Allhiphop |publisher=Allhiphop |date=October 12, 2009 |access-date=March 5, 2013 |archive-date=June 3, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603093753/http://allhiphop.com/photos/flicks/picture20528991.aspx |url-status=dead }} The duo performed many of their early hits and featured Keith Murray as a guest. In March 2011, EPMD performed at the Lawyer4Musicians Hiphop showcase at Venue 222 in Austin, Texas.{{cite web|url=http://do512.com/event/2011/03/18/l4m-2011-hiphop-showcase-feat-epmd-cool-kids-das-racist-and-more |title=L4M 2011 HIPHOP SHOWCASE feat EPMD, COOL KIDS, DAS RACIST, and MORE! at Venue 222, Austin on Do512 |publisher=Do512.com |date=March 18, 2011 |access-date=March 30, 2012}} It was the duo's first time performing in Austin, where they performed many of their early hits as well as cover songs and freestyle rhymes. EPMD appeared on the [Nas](/source/Nas) album ''[King's Disease II](/source/King's_Disease_II)'' (2021) alongside [Eminem](/source/Eminem) on the track "EPMD 2". ==Discography== {{Main article|EPMD discography}} ===Studio albums=== *''[Strictly Business](/source/Strictly_Business_(EPMD_album))'' (1988) *''[Unfinished Business](/source/Unfinished_Business_(EPMD_album))'' (1989) *''[Business as Usual](/source/Business_as_Usual_(EPMD_album))'' (1990) *''[Business Never Personal](/source/Business_Never_Personal)'' (1992) *''[Back in Business](/source/Back_in_Business_(EPMD_album))'' (1997) *''[Out of Business](/source/Out_of_Business)'' (1999) *''[We Mean Business](/source/We_Mean_Business_(album))'' (2008) ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *{{commons category-inline}} {{EPMD}} {{PMD}} {{Erick Sermon}} {{Def Jam Recordings}} {{Authority control}} Category:Musical duos from New York (state) Category:Brentwood High School (Brentwood, New York) alumni Category:Def Jam Recordings artists Category:Sleeping Bag Records artists Category:East Coast hip-hop groups Category:American hip-hop duos Category:Musical groups from Long Island Category:Hit Squad members Category:RBC Records artists --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [EPMD](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPMD) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPMD?action=history)). 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