The members of EPMD (Erick Sermon and Parrish Making Dollars) don't want to be media angels loved and adored by millions. They'd rather be hardcore -- and consistently well-paid... "I'm satisfied with the same fans I've had for the last five years," says Erick Sermon (aka E-Double E). His partner Parrish Smith (aka Pee MD) adds "We just want to focus on the relationship we have with our audience." To this end, Def Jam will release EPMD's fourth album, "Business Never Personal" ... "We just did what we do," says Smith, who produced the release with Sermon. The album, which doesn't deviate from the loopy, often amusing basement style developed on their previous efforts, is being previewed by the Zapp-influenced single "Crossover," which came out July 2nd. It advocates creative control as it admonishes the hip-hop sellouts... Other tracks on "Business Never Personal" further expound of EPMD's hardcore principles. "Don't Play Me Play The Next Man" delivers a warning to skeezers. "Boon Dox" reveals where EPMD comes from, and "Nothing But The Music" brags about what the act relies on for success. On two cuts the group freestyles with K-Solo, Redman, and Das EFX -- acts that are part of EPMD's Hit Squad production crew. And there's yet another chapter in the saga of that neighborhood female with "an Anita Baker haircut," Jane ("Who Killed Jane"). Meanwhile, "Headbanger" advises fans who want to purchase "Business Never Personal" to "drop by Sam Goody's." This is EPMD's contribution to the battle hip-hop acts wage against bootleggers. The article in Billboard (July 11, 1992) goes on to claim that Erick Sermon felt an additional 1.5 million copies of Strictly Business were bootlegged, and that artists would approach vendors with guns drawn, but it's better to just stick to the music. The label also shared that "At retail, Sony will distribute "business cards" containing an 800 number. "When you call it, you will hear bits of songs from the album as well as messages from Erick and Parrish." I miss the 800 numbers, but I don't remember calling for Business Never Personal, despite it getting a ton of replay value form me in 1992. EPMD's Business Never Personal was released on this day in 1992. Revisit the album below...
Below is the full article in Billboard with marketing plans and more...
