Business as Usual (EPMD album)

Business as Usual is the third album by hip hop duo EPMD.[5] It was released on December 18, 1990, and was their first on Def Jam, after being signed (along with Nice & Smooth) from their former label, Fresh Records. It was also the first release under Def Jam's new Rush 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
Studio album by
EPMD
ReleasedDecember 18, 1990
GenreGolden age hip hop
Length51:18
Label
ProducerEPMD, DJ Scratch
EPMD chronology
Unfinished Business
(1989)		 Business as Usual
(1990)		 Business Never Personal
(1992)
Singles from Business as Usual
  1. "Gold Digger"
    Released: November 14, 1990
  2. "Rampage"
    Released: February 26, 1991
  3. "Give the People"
    Released: June 13, 1991
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Entertainment WeeklyA[2]
Los Angeles Times[3]
RapReviews10/10[4]
The New Rolling Stone Album Guide[5]
The Village VoiceC+[6]

Business as Usual was not as acclaimed as the group's first two albums. The album featured 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.

Front cover features art from famed American artist Bill Sienkiewicz.

The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on May 7, 1991.

Critical reception

The Los Angeles Times wrote that "EPMD could be the most underrated group in hip-hop, pumping direct, honest, simple B-boy rhymes over slow, deadly, bass-heavy beats, pretty much defining the New York rap sound."[3]

Promotional t-shirt for the group's Business as Usual album

Track listing
# Title Performer (s) Length
1 "I'm Mad" EPMD 3:41
2 "Hardcore" EPMD, Redman 4:31
3 "Rampage" EPMD, L.L. Cool J 3:51
4 "Manslaughter" EPMD 4:38
5 "Jane 3" EPMD 2:36
6 "For My People" EPMD 3:03
7 "Mr. Bozack" EPMD 2:45
8 "Gold Digger" EPMD 5:11
9 "Give the People" EPMD 3:36
10 "Rap Is Outta Control" EPMD 3:09
11 "Brothers on My Jock" EPMD, Redman 4:07
12 "Underground" EPMD 3:30
13 "Hit Squad Heist" EPMD 3:34
14 "Funky Piano" EPMD 4:26

Charts
Year Album Chart positions
Billboard 200 Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
1990 Business as Usual #36 #1

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[7] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

Notes
  1. "Business as Usual - EPMD | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  2. Benard, James (January 18, 1991). "Business as Usual:Music Review:Entertainment Weekly". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 23, 2009.
  3. "EPMD "Business as Usual" Def Jam ***". Los Angeles Times. March 24, 1991.
  4. "EPMD :: Business as Usual :: Def Jam". www.rapreviews.com.
  5. The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon and Schuster. 2004. p. 281.
  6. "Robert Christgau: Consumer Guide Dec. 3, 1991: Turkey Shoot". www.robertchristgau.com.
  7. "American album certifications – EPMD – Business as Usual". Recording Industry Association of America.
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