EPMD was an American hip hop music group from New York City, New York, active from 1987 to 1999; one of the prominent acts in East coast hip hop. The group's name is an acronym for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars", referencing two of its memebrs: rappers Erick Sermon ("E Double") and Parrish Smith ("PMD"). DJ K La Boss and later DJ Scratch were also members of the group.
Their first album appeared in 1988, spawning the massive underground hit "Strictly Business", sampling Boney M's version of "I Shot the Sheriff". Many critics see their first album as their most influential. However, the group's brand of funk-fueled sample-heavy hip hop proved to be a major force in hip-hop. Unlike old school hip hop, which was first based on disco hits but eventually became more electronic, EPMD based its music mainly on samples, and helped to popularize their usage, along with Marley Marl and Public Enemy.
After a hiatus from 1993 to 1997, EPMD regrouped for two more albums before finally disbanding in 1999.
Personnel
Discography
- 1988: Strictly Business
- 1989: Unfinished Business
- 1990: Business As Usual
- 1992: Business Never Personal
- 1997: Back In Business
- 1999: Out Of Business