Business as Usual (EPMD album)

Business as Usual
Studio album by EPMD
Released December 18, 1990
Recorded 1989-1990
Genre Hip Hop
Length 51:18
Label Def Jam/RAL/Columbia
Producer EPMD, 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 link
Entertainment WeeklyA[1]
Los Angeles Times link
RapReviews link
Rolling Stone[2]
The Village VoiceC+[3]

Business as Usual is the third album from Hip Hop duo EPMD, released December 18, 1990 and their first on leading rap label Def Jam as a result of being signed over (along with Nice & Smooth) from their former label, Fresh Records. This album was also the first release by Def Jam as an imprint under its new Rush Associated Labels 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 was not as acclaimed as their first two albums, but was not considered to be a failure either. One notable aspect here was 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.

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

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

Album Chart Positions

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

Singles Chart Positions

Year Song Chart positions
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot Rap Singles Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales
1990 "Gold Digger" #14 #1 #24
1991 "Rampage" #30 #2 -
1991 "Give the People" - #28 -

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Benard, James (January 18, 1991). "Business as Usual:Music Review:Entertainment Weekly". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 23, 2009.
  2. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=lRgtYCC6OUwC&pg=PA322&dq=rolling+stone+gang+starr&cd=1&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=rakim&f=false. Page 281
  3. ↑ Village Voice review
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