Strictly Business

EPMD

About Strictly Business

"Strictly Business" is the debut single by EPMD from its debut album, Strictly Business. Written and produced by the duo, "Strictly Business" became EPMD's first charting single, becoming a minor hit on the R&B charts. Although not a huge success when it was released, "Strictly Business" has since become a hip hop classic, making it to several best hip hop songs lists. The song's main sample is Eric Clapton's cover of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff". Other samples include "Jungle Boogie" by Kool & the Gang and "Long Red" by Mountain.  


Year:
2014
4:41
80 
#4

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Try to answer to the master or the MC rap God is no joke
On the lyric, its hard to be modest
I knew I was the man with the master plan
To make you wiggle and jiggle, like gelatin
Just think while I sink, into the brain structure
(don't sleep on the e) you see, something might rupture
I don't take time for me to blow your mind
Take a second to wreck it because you're dumb and blind
So just lounge, cause you're a MC clown
Go join the circus, EPMD in town

Total chaos, no mass confusion
Rhymes so hypnotizing known to cause an illusion
Like a magician, who pulls a rabbit out a hat, son
I pull them all like a .44 magnum
MC freeze stop look and listen, and try to imagine
Its traveling the speed of light, but everything's motion
Is frightening, plus the thought you alone
You now enter dimension, called the twilight zone
You're terrified, plus you cant bear the thought
You and I one-on-one, in the land of the lost
You start to shiver, but then you scream, my friend
Yo wake up muttley, because you're dreaming again
But next time I'm on the scene, do not try to diss us
Keep your mouth shut sucker duck, because I'm strictly business

This is the rap season, where the e starts pleasing
Girls around the world no need to be skeezing
When I roll I stroll, cool always pack a tool
Just in case, a brother acts a fool
Ive got the energy, to put the girls in the frenzy
Put it in shock when I rock, give it up I'm not stingy
Make sure I don't bore when I'm on the dance floor
(get busy, boy) like you never saw before
Rhyme flow, good to go, after the show, Ill pull your hoe, boy
(Yo, you sniff blow? ), hell no!
I got my whole life ahead of me, no time to be sniffing
And my parents find out, then they start riffing
So I stay, a-okay, cause I'm the e, the r-I-c-k

MC's look me in my face, then their eyes get weak
Pulse rate descends, heart rate increases
Its like beam me up, scotty, I control your body
I'm as deadly as aids when its time to rock a party
And all due respect, when I say mic check
Let a sucker slide once, then I break his neck
So when I say jump, you reply, how high?
Because I'm taking no prisoners, so don't play hero and die
Cause you're a soldier, and I'm a green beret
I do not think twice about the MC's I slay
So if you want to battle, I highly recommend this
Bring your dog, mom, and dad, because I'm strictly business

Yo yo, you're still picking on that four-leaf clover?
Bring in the sandman, sucker, because its over
My name is Erick Sermon and I'm back again
I see the heads still turning and my so-called friends
They smile in my face, behind my back they talk trash
Mad and stuff, because they don't have cash
Like the e-double, or the PMD
He drives a corvette, I drive a samurai Suzuki
I'm a locksmith, with the key to fame
Never high on myself, always stay the same
Play a lot because I'm hot, like a horse I trot
Around the track and back, fatigued? no, I'm not

Well I'm the mellow, the fellow, the one who likes to say hello
To a fly girl that is good to go
With the slow tempo, and the off-beat rhyme flow
Cause when I am in action, there is no time for maxing
Or relaxing, just subtracting and reacting
On a sucker MC who mouth keeps on yapping and flapping
I lose my cool, then Ill start slapping and smacking
You wanna roll? then Albee start jacking and capping
No time to lounge, I'm packing and strapping
At my point of attack I soar at you like an eagle
I'm the sheriff, and biting is illegal
So next time I'm in town, I highly recommend this
You gots to chill, because I'm strictly business

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


EPMD

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 Parish Making Dollars", referencing its members, emcees Erick Sermon ("E" aka E Double) and Parish Smith ("PMD" aka Parish Mic Doc). The group has been active for 26 years (minus two breakups in 1993 and 1999), 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. more »

1 fan

Written by: ERICK S SERMON, PARRISH JOSEFF SMITH, BOB MARLEY

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


9 facts about this song

Origin and Release
"Strictly Business" is a song by the American hip hop duo EPMD. The song is the title track of their debut album, "Strictly Business", which was released in 1988.
Members
EPMD is composed of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith. The initials in their group name stand for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars".
Style and Influence
The song employs an innovative style of sample mixing, a practice that was pioneering in hip hop music during the late 1980s. It includes samples from multiple rock, funk, and R&B songs.
Instrumental Samples
The song features instrumentals sampled from Eric Clapton's version of "I Shot the Sheriff" and "Jungle Boogie" by Kool & The Gang.
Critical Reception
"Strictly Business" has been widely praised for its intricate and intelligent wordplay, compelling beats, and the duo's unique rap style. It marked a significant shift in rap music, away from party anthems, towards a grittier, more streetwise sound.
Legacy and Impact
The song has been cited as an influence by several notable artists in the hip hop genre. It has been sampled in numerous other songs and covered by various artists.
Various Versions
Besides the original, there is also a remix of "Strictly Business" available. This version is often credited with popularizing the remix culture in hip hop.
Commercial Success
The album from which the song comes, peaked at number 80 on the Billboard 200, and at number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. The success of the album highlighted the commercial viability of rap music.
Music Video
The music video for "Strictly Business" features the duo performing across various locations, and it significantly contributed to the song's popularity.

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