EPMD - Da Joint

From the album "Back In Business" (1997)
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" (later "Erick and Parrish Millennium Ducats"), referencing its members, emcees Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith ("PMD"). The group has been active for more than 20 years (1986present), and is one of the most prominent acts in East coast hip hop. Diamond J, DJ K La Boss, and DJ Scratch were DJs for the group.
The word "business" is used in every title of the group's albums. Every album also has a track titled "Jane".
EPMD's first album, Strictly Business, appeared in 1988, which featured the underground hit "Strictly Business," based on a sample of Eric Clapton's version of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff." Many critics cite this first album as the group's most influential.[citation needed] The group's brand of funk-fueled sample-heavy hip-hop proved to be a major force in the genre. Unlike old school hip hop, which was originally based on disco hits but eventually became more electronic, EPMD based its music mainly on lifting funk and rock breaks for samples and helped to popularize their usage, along with Marley Marl and Public Enemy. "You're a Customer" combined snippets of Steve Miller's "Fly Like an Eagle," Kool & the Gang's "Jungle Boogie," and the bass line from ZZ Tops "Cheap Sunglasses." "Jane," about a romantic rendezvous turned bad, would be revisited on no less than five sequels; a first for hip-hop, and, perhaps, rock and roll as well. "You Gots to Chill" used 1980s funk band Zapp's "More Bounce to the Ounce," which has become one of the most enduring sample sources for hip-hop. "I'm Housin'" was covered some 12 years later by Rage Against the Machine. Managed early on by Russell Simmons' RUSH Management, the group toured with such hip-hop luminaries as Run-DMC, Public Enemy, and DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince.
Promotional EPMD t-shirt for their 1990 Business As Usual album
EPMD signed with Fresh/Sleeping Bag Records, which eventually released its debut album, Strictly Business, by electro funk pioneer Kurtis Mantronik. Propelled by several strong singles ("You Gots to Chill" and the albums title track), the album was eventually certified gold, selling over 500,000 copies[citation needed], as did 1989's follow-up, Unfinished Business. Financial frustrations followed when Sleeping Bag went under in 1992. The two EPMD albums and Nice & Smooths debut album were acquired by Priority/EMI Records before the label was sold to Warlock Records. The duos Sleeping Bag contract was acquired by Def Jam. EPMD returned in 1990 with Business As Usual and Business Never Personal two years later. By 1992, the group presided over an extended family dubbed the Hit Squad, which included Redman, K-Solo, Das EFX, Hurricane G, and 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. Ironically, the song became a crossover hit itself peaking at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and in doing so becoming their biggest hit to date.
The duo split in January 1993, under controversial circumstances. According to interviews in The Source and 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, followed by Double or Nothing (1995), Def Squad Presents Erick Onasis (2000), Music (2001), and React (2002). Smith made his statements on 1994's Shade Business, followed by Business is Business in 1996.
The duo reunited in 1997, recording a comeback LP, Back in Business. 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. Sermon released an album with Redman and Keith Murray as the Def Squad in 1998: El Niño was certified gold[citation needed] that same year. EPMD's last LP, Out of Business, was released in 1999 as both a single CD and a limited edition double CD. The limited edition double CD contained both new material and rerecorded versions of its greatest hits. Smith released The Awakening (2003) on his own Hit Squad label, and Sermon released Chilltown, N.Y. (2004) on Motown/Universal. A Hit Squad compilation LP (overseen by Smith, featuring a new EPMD track) was released on Nervous Recordings in 2004.

[@birungisidahkizito5020]

If you're still listening to this in 2024, you have very good taste in music ❤❤

[@Keltic86]

not only god taste in music but a hell of lot of common sense...damn thats a serious bar!!! can't believe i just came up with that because of a typo. Of course it would be a comment on a EPMD video lmao

[@luyandamgaba3937]

I grew up on this

[@rapliker274]

U mean exelent taste?

[@jessicajaynenc1202]

THANKYEWWWWW

[@gregb3049]

Real hip hop. 2024 and I’m still banging these joints daily. OGs neva die

[@keronfarrier2198]

1982 Born my boy.... This stay on my rotation.

[@harrysantos3589]

Absolutely

[@truthhurts79]

Sounds like this 👉💩

[@truthhurts79]

Sounds like this 👉💩

[@tommypatchell3342]

You already know only gen exers know that saying

[@oguntuyi9286]

Thank God I'm alive still jamming this classic. Jesus, thank you ❤.

[@johnlombardo7816]

Amen God bless!

[@jay_ok]

Anyone else happy that KZbin recommended this

[@boulevardhip-hop7556]

Yeah they recommended me since the 2008

[@lancekaplan8022]

Fire!

[@Carbabydoll]

My jam.

[@marlonescoto2882]

Most definitely fam!

[@augustinermunich555]

Always :)

[@cristianozanoli2222]

Was 1997. Now its almost 2023 and we are still listening to this beat. Amazing. That was real cool rap.

[@Carbabydoll]

This hip hop will never die it can be remastered and rebooted

[@HOTMAIL.COMVGHJJVHFK76]

2:17 ​@@Carbabydoll

[@aemlima]

continuous in 2024....👊👊👊

[@andydevereux2195]

This Era will never be replicated , any generation after are just standing on the shoulders of giants .

[@maximuskhan2100]

Facts

[@outlaw1109]

Facts.

[@gladsonkazombo7908]

Here I am 2023, still jamming to these old classics,

[@tmbe_official]

FOREVER!

[@GrandMasterWu777]

Same here.

[@DuckDodgers345]

Erick's first verse blended so well with this immaculate beat.

[@munyamubaiwa4313]

The bang when he says I make a million BUCKS and the beat kicks in on bucks always gets me.

[@OneMightyandStrong]

​@@munyamubaiwa4313💯 ❗ ❗ ❗

[@williamcapone5457]

yessir! and almost on every record.

[@gringowiththelingo1]

Damn this is dope! I miss these days. Peace to everyone reading this

[@johnlombardo7816]

peace fam.. not gonna lie got a little misty listening to this one.. can pinpoint the moment in time.....

[@RayzorBlade]

EPMD is one of the illest duo

[@nm4life191]

Razor Blade second best of all time

[@Skywater1]

G. Inoa who’s your first?

[@nm4life191]

Razor Blade Run DMC

[@tooakki]

yep

[@youngboy2pacdrake]

@@nm4life191 mobb deep/ gangstarr

[@slabhead]

Every album they made is a classic. Eric and Parrish Making Dollars.

[@LuckyLager-bf9sz]

mike doc's

[@earlfranchise9814]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpa9ZHdrfZyof80si=u19f-AxWZnL4Om1k

[@Unruly999]

BACK IN THE DAY WHEN HIP HOP WAS HIP HOP 💯🔥

[@SamarIqbal1-2-1]

Legendary Hip Hop (was) 😊

[@idread1104]

Right

[@heno1835]

And knew how to dress

[@o0R3stless0o]

Its all Pop now smh

[@HannibalLekta-qg2ip]

true, bro......underground still keeping it real though

[@scinnyc]

One of my all time favorite EPMD songs. I remember my friends clowned me for buying this album at a time when No Limit, Jay-Z and DMX dominated hip hop. But till this day, EPMD is still one of my biggest influences in both rapping and production...!!!👍🏾🎤🎧💿🎶🔥

[@rcword8795]

Hope you got new friends

[@GabrielRodriguez-gf3pr]

DMX was amazing in that era

[@scinnyc]

@@GabrielRodriguez-gf3pr Yeah, he was. I had his first album back then

[@a-yaw6021]

Jay was and still is a nobody in 92

[@scinnyc]

@@a-yaw6021 Lol This song actually came out in '97. And Jay-Z was the biggest rapper on Earth in '98 and holds the record for the most platinum rap albums. If you don't like Jay-Z that's fine but don't lie about facts that can be easily Googled

[@Checkdarhymelock516]

I remember when this first dropped they came off a five year hiatus and this was a refreshing come back

[@kenterminateddq5311]

I am still surprised since allegedly, Erick Sermon robbed Perrish Smith's house and friends.

[@davidgallego2854]

Bring it back shit is hard.

[@kirbyaugustine761]

I remember when I saw this I had a feeling that all was right in the world because EPMD was back together. Song was pure dopeness.

[@earlfranchise9814]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpa9ZHdrfZyof80si=u19f-AxWZnL4Om1k

[@broncomcbane6382]

​@@kenterminateddq5311yea EE wasnt managing his money right. But its bizarre because as a solo artist and producer he has had more success than PMD. Makes me think PMD had his father and others help him manage his money from the first singles success.

[@ryankershaw9176]

One of the best groups ever to breathe on the 🎤 Mic

[@Str888FiaaaPromotionz]

fACTS

[@outlaw1109]

Facts.

[@buffalosoldier4045]

Facts truth

[@earlfranchise9814]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpa9ZHdrfZyof80si=u19f-AxWZnL4Om1k

[@FanaQumar]

We here family 2024 📟📞🌍🫡👶😎🌎👊 from pagers too majers 👑

[@juniorthiello2928]

NEVER FOGET THIS SOUND TRACK FROM SENEGAL WEST AFRICA 🇸🇳🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@nicolaaaa6307]

respect for people who listen to good music, from italy

[@javierllaneri2754]

Much love to Sadio Mane

[@stevedixon2414]

Nearly broke my neck to this!!!

[@seandacosta2421]

Me too 😂

[@FoxxyB]

ROTFLMAO....okkkk

[@mrmillennium2697]

Still doing it this song knocks hard in a car

[@mariansperlea2166]

Wow, had to read it couple of times. 👊

[@thehottrack6261]

EPMD was really ahead of its time and the production was mad under rated...This sounds like 2000 right here

[@earlfranchise9814]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpa9ZHdrfZyof80si=u19f-AxWZnL4Om1k

[@bryankarst3881]

One of the best beat drops ever! My 12"s loved this song to!!

[@johnmoore6277]

THIS one is still the jam 2024 Detroit Eastside

[@JamesThomas-pv5en]

This is Real Hip Hop no mumble bubble gum shit just raw hip hop. Please bring back real hip hop 🙏🏽

[@RapFanatic4ever]

PLEASE

[@earlfranchise9814]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpa9ZHdrfZyof80si=u19f-AxWZnL4Om1k

[@anthonywashington2441]

im with you on that. i dont even listen to this shit today. The music today you cant feel

[@phunkeehone]

​@@anthonywashington2441 Still some out there, but yeah.. It's rare.

[@user-hy4df4or8v]

EPMD = 100% PURE HIP HOP. EASILY ONE OF THE TOP 10 DUOS IN THE HISTORY OF HIP HOP. 100% BEATS, RHYMES & FLOW 🔥🔥🔥

[@alkhamiss]

From senegal 🇸🇳💪❤️ Erik sermon is so fire nice track best crew🗽🇸🇳🙌

[@exf20]

From DC & I went out to Senegal in 96, a year before this dropped! EPMD 4Ever!💪🏾🙌🏾🔥🎤🎛🎚🎧

[@ozyres]

Masterpiece!!!

[@urbanlogic6416]

EPMD is slept on. Hit for hit, they hold their own with any group

[@wilsonmwangi2326]

Best of EPMD...EPMD is the world premier

[@josephfazio7648]

Strong Island 💪🏻🎤🔥🎶🔥💯😎

[@tonystone843]

I don’t regret growing up in this era of hip hop

[@Billy11179]

Still get chills even 25 yrs later!! This was when hip-hop was at its greatest!

[@earlfranchise9814]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpa9ZHdrfZyof80

[@eddyjaymz15]

N.I.S.M

[@koffiged]

Mobb Deep, Outkast and Epmd are the best duos ever…

[@gambit7772]

De La Soul and BlackStar

[@retromatic588]

Gambit77 De La Soul is a trio. They’re GOATs nonetheless.

[@dustybeijing]

Don't forget Organized Konfusion, Red & Meth, Run The Jewels! Yeah I said it, RTJ gets a spot already.

[@koffiged]

sphericaldice i don’t forget them. But those aren’t in the same level as those I mentioned

[@sixx_808]

gang starr

[@evst5ive209]

Thank you for still being around y’all 5️⃣💯

[@davidtomasello3789]

"No mission's impossible, ask Tom Cruise." is holding up amazing well in 2023....

[@JerseyMac11]

New York needs rap groups to become a thing again. Lost Boyz, Onyx, EPMD, Wu Tang, Capone N Nore, Mobb Deep, Fugees, Red and Meth… we need groups back

[@WaveBoogieYT]

im wit u n all.... but u ever claim Fugees as New york, ima have to put hands on you! (im just playing) but FUGEES is New jersey, dont get it fucked up

[@JerseyMac11]

@@WaveBoogieYT when I say New York, I really mean the sound. I’m from Jersey and I’m Haitian so I could never mistake the Fugees for a New York group. I say NY but I’m talking about the east coast sound

[@WaveBoogieYT]

@JerseyMac11 ight bet, ima let u off easy on that cuz we Jersey folks. Shout out to New York, I get u, but let's make it clear, Jersey out here too fam! And u talking to a West Trenton boy, school of Poor righteous Teachers! All love brother

[@samuelblinne6040]

Epmd is very underrated

[@gloriasteele7938]

Na!

[@shawnsteed4140]

EPMD is one of my favorite rap groups, they're legends and still underrated by most smfh🤔

[@SamarIqbal1-2-1]

Shawn Steed (one) 😊

[@earlfranchise9814]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpa9ZHdrfZyof80si=u19f-AxWZnL4Om1k

[@dulichion]

EPMD, Gangstarr and even Quame under played.

[@donnellsirtediious3949]

Still here in 2k23🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@spearPYN]

One of the most underrated groups ever!

[@MrBabatu12]

Who bumping this in 2023?🎉🎉🎉

[@madizm05]

One of my favorite rap group .

[@kennyreck]

CI to Brentwood EPMD DEF SQUAD LOD STRONG ISLAND !!!!!!

[@stash459]

Lyrical mastermind a genius so don't snooze No missions impossible ask Tom Cruise ! EPMD classic timeless group duo of all time....

[@cliftonsmith3148]

Young man keeping it real and ariginal

[@earlfranchise9814]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpa9ZHdrfZyof80si=u19f-AxWZnL4Om1k

[@ISOCZAR]

2023 still bangs

[@danilo.77]

for life

[@SunshineJenkins]

Let's get it the Green eyed Bandit #EPMD yesssssssssssssssssssss

[@w.a.mproductionsinc9340]

One of the greatest hip hop duos ever

[@im_avg_joe]

IMO, this is Erick Sermon's hardest verses of all of his catalog! #Salute

[@jaguarjamar8252]

Don't forget his verse on 'Tha Headbanga'... "Surprise, you wonder where I been; I been workin, for sounds making danger and black birds chirpin! A Damian, Omen, possessed by the devil... you dig the rhythm and I'll play the Running Rebel!"

[@nooroo1000]

2023 still here dgaf

[@amine5743]

One of my best hip hop tracks. Love from morocco 🇲🇦✌🏽

[@AboveEmAllProduction]

one of the best beats in history

[@adnanojd]

Classics don’t lose flavor ✊🏾💯🇯🇲

[@klashnikovdenis9910]

It’s 2022 and it’s still one one my favourite tracks!

[@earlfranchise9814]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpa9ZHdrfZyof80si=u19f-AxWZnL4Om1k

[@samuelblinne6040]

Masterpiece

[@jorgegonzalez426]

Definitely one of the best beats ever I went crazy when I first heard this song shit still bangs.

[@InfectedChris]

Picked this CD up the day it dropped. Even though I was a kid, I loved their earlier stuff that i had on tape. This was my first EPMD CD since I just had tapes before that. Man I miss those days...

[@moses9790]

m

[@moses9790]

dm

[@rickmitch8999]

Being a diehard EPMD fan made this joint super hard back then....😎🫡

[@Illyrian_Adventures]

This is such a classic. I never get bored of it. Its so smooth

[@stefan11804]

One of the greatest Hip Hop crews

[@puncho33]

2024 real hip hop🔥🔥🔥

[@OsiriswealthLY]

that make me feel so peace in my mind I recommended this

[@darnellwatson9174]

EPMD is Legends back then and still, they definitely should be in a "Rap Hall of Fame"!

[@fifanator89-eh6zz]

Ich werde dich für immer lieben... auch wenn wir nicht mehr sind...vill eines Tages wieder aber dieses Lied wird mich immer an dich erinnern weil du der wundervollste und wubderbarste und kostbarste Mensch bist der mir jemals begegnet ist..forever MY LOVE Lisa/Dani 2018 -

[@arifibrahim9996]

Still fire 2023 Evergreen

[@samuelblinne6040]

Redman got me into epmd

[@westwardpomonagyrl4358]

🤦🏾‍♀️🤔Hunh, that’s like saying Beanie Siegel got you into Jay-Z

[@nicoberhooz8057]

timeless masterpiece.

[@samuelblinne6040]

Back in business is my favorite epmd album

[@buceounknown7620]

Had the privilege of seeing Erick play out in London again a few months ago, he smashed it. True pro- pure vintage!

[@earlfranchise9814]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpa9ZHdrfZyof80si=u19f-AxWZnL4Om1k

[@cronemm4478]

Still banging this in 2023 mfs who else?

[@RYTHMICRIOT]

The quality of this era of hip hop will NEVER again be recreated. No Matter who comes along. 90's hip hop was the Golden era. I am thankful I got to experience it unfold.

[@ADyani6]

Listening in April 2024

[@saschagericke3737]

Good old shit will never die. Best time in music. Fuck on All the New shit.

[@ClipDog]

One thing I'm surprised at is not too many people comment about the dynamics and storytelling behind this video. When this duo broke up, hip hop fans all over were really bummed over it, and the way this vid starts with the two of them saying nah man, can't get back together, and the calls from Russel Simmons to get them together again, and the way they bump into each other in the club and both give their own look, I thought the video was well played out in telling the story. These guys were and still are an iconic duo.

[@RapFanatic4ever]

Thanks for that history . I didn’t know that . Salute

[@MrMarcus70]

So fucking true EPMD is the shit that dynamic was hard and only true hip hop fans cas appreciate it

[@user-ep7dk1lk6n]

That drop. Always love that intro Drop.

[@DeeJazz]

2023 still Rolling

[@invisible1981]

2023🇵🇹👌

[@blackrebel7443]

2 BOSSES ERICK AND PARIS MAKIN DOLLARS$$$$$$ CLASSIC HIT SQUAD AND DEF SQUAD

[@murloccc]

2023 and this is still a BAAAAANG🔥🙌

[@ezdal2410]

wonderful classic 💎

[@Ricardo034]

Unique beat from the legends

[@theodorecook5884]

Parrish got the illest flow of the duo!! His shits always go hard and his delivery smooth asf

[@JORKAEV]

Real souljahz still here 2023 no shit..

[@TubularTv]

This video makes me feel 16 again,And im 39 now. 80s 🚼s stand up! Where Y'all At 👇 ................... #EPMD #CutDaShitBoy

[@shakarussanders9911]

I got a few years on you I'm a late 70s baby I'm 42 but EPMD was it back in the 90s! It's crazy because I was randomly listing to them Friday night!

[@PowerfulBorn]

I was 22 when this dropped. 44 now, and it still bangs!

[@e-clipz5815]

Def remember the excitement that EPMD came back like that.

[@markw410]

42 class of 95'

[@willdieselpower]

Got y’all all beat. I’m 49 and EPMD was the shit. You Gots ya Chill might have been the first summer classic. Remember tripping down from NYC to Va Beach, and EVERYBODY had it bumping in their jeeps. Da Joint was a return banger for them. Love it

[@TheBenyblanco]

These are the times when Hip Hop existed in the world

[@Kenzibit]

Ooh boy, still loving this track after all these years, I miss them days of good rap music, seeing all those dudes from Eric, Parish, Das Efx, Redman etc in one video gives me the hibby Jibbies #Legends👌🏾

[@rahsheendaniels4054]

Keith Murray also

[@mxolisiwilliams6178]

Still here in 2024 after 27 yrs since this track was released!! ❤❤❤

[@Doo5o]

Hellyeah👌🏻

[@joeshepherd2920]

Still Here in September 2023 ❤

[@jazzadogg]

I’ve been listening to the wrong music. This song is fkn awesome!

[@kenfu9334]

this is it old school gold

[@twf871]

Epmd New-York city baby 👍

[@JamesThomas-pv5en]

Oh my days😯 I ain’t heard dis in 22 years. I used to dj double deck dis joint and wore dem records out loved dis joint still do. Thank you for the upload brother 🙏🏽

[@hassanstewart6034]

EPMD and Mobb Deep had some of the dopest production in Hip Hop history.

[@fiorellabravoguizada6293]

One of the best 🔥

[@jamzonwv]

Thanks for reminding me EPMD is one of the iIIest groups ever. This song is still litty.. on fire

[@dillybia2686]

Wish I had a time machine . . .take mi back to ma joint 🙏💙

[@dayosonictv]

Man, i remember bumping this real hard in west Africa Nigeria. real hard arrrhhhh

[@galahmmilesius7266]

Still Bumping Decades Later....

[@ritchiedenham9572]

These tunes remind me off a time forgotten it was like the decade of decades once upon a time ago golden

[@lakeeffectmusicable]

I keep comin back to this one. EPMD's like "Ok New York, you gotten too use to one style, have a taste of this"

[@richallen1490]

Damn I thought this was new lol

[@SunshineJenkins]

Meetoo

[@Blockburna254]

😂

[@loxho217]

Hey it's new to us

[@Cubanlink73]

Still sounds fresh

[@poolq422]

Throwback 4Real 😎🤙🏾

[@samuelblinne6040]

Awesome

[@carolinelespinas4107]

Ho ça me rappelé trop mes vingt ans... Ho trop de souvenir je me sens vieille d'un coup... trop bon le son tout ce que j'aime du vraie hip hop...

[@sippinjuice1658]

ça fait plaisir de voir une française

[@carolinelespinas4107]

@@sippinjuice1658 merci.... et oui on est là...

[@Flangzor]

EPMD since iam young! OMG iam OLD