# Hit Squad > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Hit_Squad > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Hit_Squad.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hit_Squad > Source revision: 1349318969 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) American hip hop group For other uses, see [Hit Squad (disambiguation)](/source/Hit_Squad_(disambiguation)). Hit Squad Genres East Coast hip hop Years active 1990–1993 2006–present Spinoffs Def Squad Members EPMD DJ Scratch Redman Das EFX K-Solo Knucklehedz Past members Hurricane G Top Quality Jesse West RKITECH The **Hit Squad** is an American [hip hop collective](/source/Hip_hop_collective) of [East Coast hip hop](/source/East_coast_hip_hop) artists. Originally formed in the 1990s by [Erick Sermon](/source/Erick_Sermon) and [Parrish Smith](/source/Parrish_Smith) of the rap group [EPMD](/source/EPMD), the group included rap artists such as [K-Solo](/source/K-Solo), [Redman](/source/Redman_(rapper)), [Das EFX](/source/Das_EFX), [Top Quality](/source/Top_Quality), and Knucklehedz. When EPMD broke up for the first time in 1993, the collective separated, with Sermon forming [Def Squad](/source/Def_Squad) and Smith retaining the Hit Squad name. ## Career After the success of their debut album *[Strictly Business](/source/Strictly_Business_(EPMD_album))*, EPMD sought to [mentor](/source/Mentor) new artists. The first artist to make a guest appearance on an EPMD album was [K-Solo](/source/K-Solo). Solo was featured on their second album *[Unfinished Business](/source/Unfinished_Business_(EPMD_album))* on the song "Knick Knack Patty Wack". The first mention of "Hit Squad" appeared on EPMD's third album *[Business as Usual](/source/Business_As_Usual_(EPMD_album))* on the track "Hit Squad Heist". The lyrics mention Redman, K-Solo and Tom J of Knucklehedz.[1] Redman is also featured on two tracks of that album. In 1993, EPMD released the single "Headbanger" from their fourth album *[Business Never Personal](/source/Business_Never_Personal)*. The single featured K-Solo and Redman and the [music video](/source/Music_video) features appearances by most of the Hit Squad.[2] The single reached #11 on *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))'*s [Hot Rap Tracks](/source/Hot_Rap_Tracks) chart.[3] The single's success made "Headbanger" the Squad's "[signature song](/source/Signature_song)".[4] The album also features [Das EFX](/source/Das_EFX) on the track "Cummin' At Cha". ## Breakup In late 1992, tensions grew within the Hit Squad. According to an article in *[The Source](/source/The_Source_(magazine))*, squad members alleged financial impropriety by Smith, who owned their management company. Smith's home was invaded by armed intruders believed to have been hired by squad members. While Smith declined to publicly give details on who was behind the invasion, Sermon was arrested and briefly detained for questioning, but no charges were filed.[2] EPMD officially broke up in January 1993. Redman and Hurricane G continued to collaborate with Sermon, while Das EFX and DJ Scratch remained under Smith's management. K-Solo pursued separate endeavors.[2] The debut album by Knucklehedz became lost in the shuffle in the midst of the breakup and was shelved.[5] The original Hit Squad splintered into two different groups. Sermon formed [Def Squad](/source/Def_Squad) with Redman, [Jamal aka Mally G](/source/Jamal_(rapper)) and another [protégé](/source/Prot%C3%A9g%C3%A9) [Keith Murray](/source/Keith_Murray_(rapper)) while PMD retained the Hit Squad name with Das EFX, DJ Scratch and [Top Quality](/source/Top_Quality).[6][7] In this new incarnation, the PMD led Hit Squad would appear on PMD's solo albums and on the Das EFX albums *[Hold It Down](/source/Hold_It_Down_(Das_EFX_album))* and *[Generation EFX](/source/Generation_EFX)*. Hit Squad would also appear on the single and video for the song "Beef" from [Chubb Rock](/source/Chubb_Rock)'s 1997 album *The Mind*. On the album *[The Mix Tape, Vol. II](/source/The_Mix_Tape%2C_Vol._II)* by Funkmaster Flex, a freestyle by PMD, Nocturnal & Das EFX was featured on the album. Smith appeared alongside rap unknowns Blast, Poogi and L The Pro on the classic 1997 [Tony Touch](/source/Tony_Touch) [mixtape](/source/Mixtape) *Power Cypha 2*, credited as "PMD & The Hit Squad". On EPMD's 1997 reunion album *[Back in Business](/source/Back_in_Business_(EPMD_album))*, Smith's Hit Squad and Sermon's Def Squad came together and were billed as The Squadron.[8] Both groups are featured in the video for the single "[Da Joint](/source/Da_Joint)". In 2004, Smith released an album titled *Hit Squad: Zero Tolerance* using previously unreleased verses by the original members combined with his latest new artists. As of the 2006 EPMD reunion, most of the former Hit Squad members also reunited, along with Def Squad rapper Keith Murray.[4] A new album for the Hit Squad/Def Squad is planned. Another reunion was staged in 2012.[9][10] On PMD's 2013 EP release *New Business*, he introduced a group under the Hit Squad umbrella called Team Takeover made up of rappers Nymrod, Comatose, Nam Nitty, and Michael Nixx. The group is featured in the music video for the track "Symphony 2013". ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [The Original Hip-Hop (Rap) Lyrics Archive](http://www.ohhla.com/anonymous/epmd/as_usual/hitsquad.epm.txt) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-source_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-source_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-source_2-2) Dennis, Reginald C. (April 1993). "Out of Business". *[The Source](/source/The_Source_(magazine))*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [allmusic ( EPMD > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p36/charts-awards/billboard-singles) 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-mtv_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-mtv_4-1) Reid, Shaheem (October 16, 2006). ["EPMD Get 'Massive Love' At Comeback Show"](https://web.archive.org/web/20061026143026/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1543243/20061016/epmd.jhtml). [MTV News](/source/MTV_News). Archived from [the original](http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1543243/20061016/epmd.jhtml) on October 26, 2006. Retrieved January 18, 2007. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Wake Your Daughter Up - Hip Hop and Audio Blog](https://archive.today/20120710144954/http://bloggerhouse.net/2006/07/unreleased-gems-part-five-lost-hit.html) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-vibe_6-0)** "EPMD Reunite To Resurrect Rap". *[Vibe](/source/Vibe_(magazine))*. October 1997. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["MVRemix Interviews: PMD"](https://www.mvremix.com/urban/interviews/pmd.shtml). 2005. Retrieved November 11, 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["EPMD's 'Back in Business' Turns 20: Anniversary Retrospective"](https://www.albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-20-years-of-epmd-back-in-business). September 23, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Reid, Shaheem (February 25, 2012). ["Hit Squad Rock Reunion Show in NYC"](http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2012/02/hit-squad-rock-reunion-show-in-nyc/). *[XXL](/source/XXL_(magazine))*. Retrieved April 17, 2012. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Mlynar, Phillip (February 23, 2012). ["Head Bangers And Hardcore Hits: A Ten-Track Hit Squad Collection"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120224204030/http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2012/02/hit_squad_ten_best_songs_epmd_redman_das_efx.php). *[The Village Voice](/source/The_Village_Voice)*. Archived from [the original](http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2012/02/hit_squad_ten_best_songs_epmd_redman_das_efx.php) on February 24, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2012. ## External links - [Hit Squad](https://myspace.com/theoriginalhitsquad) on [Myspace](/source/Myspace) - [Hit Squad](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p510446) at [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic_(identifier)) - [Hit Squad at Discogs](http://www.discogs.com/artist/Hit+Squad) - [1995 Redman interview](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsMihbbwEiA) v t e EPMD Erick Sermon PMD Studio albums Strictly Business Unfinished Business Business as Usual Business Never Personal Back in Business Out of Business We Mean Business Singles "Strictly Business" "You Gots to Chill" "I'm Housin" "So Wat Cha Sayin'" "Gold Digger" "Rampage" "Give the People" "Crossover" "Head Banger" "The Joint" "Symphony 2000" Related articles Discography Hit Squad v t e Das EFX Krazy Drayz Skoob Studio albums Dead Serious Straight Up Sewaside Hold It Down Generation EFX How We Do Singles "They Want EFX" "Mic Checka" "Straight Out the Sewer" "Freakit" "Baknaffek" "Real Hip-Hop" "Microphone Master" Featured artist "Check Yo Self" "Rugged-n-Raw" Related articles Discography Hit Squad v t e Redman Discography Studio albums Whut? Thee Album Dare Iz a Darkside Muddy Waters Doc's da Name 2000 Malpractice Red Gone Wild: Thee Album Reggie Mudface Muddy Waters Too Collaboration albums El Niño (with Def Squad) Blackout! (with Method Man) Blackout! 2 (with Method Man) Singles "Blow Your Mind" "Time 4 Sum Aksion" "Tonight's da Night" "Rockafella" "Can't Wait" "Funkorama" "It's Like That (My Big Brother)" "Whateva Man" "Pick It Up" "Full Cooperation" "I'll Bee Dat!" "Da Goodness" "Let's Get Dirty (I Can't Get in da Club)" "Smash Sumthin'" "Put It Down" Featured artist "Head Banger" "The Points" "4, 3, 2, 1" "Made It Back" "How Deep Is Your Love" "Symphony 2000" "Left & Right" "Oooh." "Rollin' (Urban Assault Vehicle)" "React" "Dirrty" "Yeah Yeah U Know It" Related articles Def Squad Hit Squad Method Man & Redman Wu-Tang Clan Method & Red Rockwilder v t e K-Solo Albums Tell the World My Name Time's Up Singles "Head Banger" "It's Like That (My Big Brother)" Related articles Hit Squad v t e Erick Sermon Discography Production discography (albums) EPMD discography Studio albums No Pressure Double or Nothing Def Squad Presents Erick Onasis Music React Chilltown, New York E.S.P. (Erick Sermon's Perception) Vernia Other albums Insomnia El Niño Singles "Hittin' Switches" "Stay Real" "Bomdigi" "Welcome" "Full Cooperation" "Get Da Money" "Music" "React" Featured artist "Yeah Yeah U Know It" Related articles EPMD Hit Squad Def Squad v t e PMD Studio albums Shade Business Business Is Business The Awakening Other albums Underground Connection Singles "I Saw It Cummin'" "Swing Your Own Thing" "Rugged-n-Raw" "It's the Pee" Related articles EPMD Hit Squad Authority control databases International VIAF Artists MusicBrainz --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Hit Squad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hit_Squad) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hit_Squad?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.