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Business as Usual
Business as Usual
Studio album by EPMD

Released

December 18, 1990

Recorded

1989 - 1990

Studio

North Shore Studios
(Long Island, NY)
Powerplay Studios
(Long Island, NY)
Hit Factory
(New York City, NY)

Genre

Hip hop, Golden age hip hop, Hardcore hip hop

Length

51:18

Label

Def Jam Recordings / Rush Associated Labels / Columbia Records

Producer

DJ Scratch, EPMD (also exec.)

EPMD chronology

Previous

Unfinished Business (1989)

Next

Business Never Personal (1992)

Business as Usual is the third studio album by American hip hop duo EPMD, released in December 18, 1990 under Def Jam Recordings, Rush Associated Labels and Columbia Records. It is their first album for Def Jam as a result of being signed over from their former label, Fresh Records. The 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 ownership over its material. Business as Usual features a guest appearance from LL Cool J on the single "Rampage", and the debut appearance of Redman on "Hardcore" and "Brothers on My Jock".

The album peaked at #36 on the US Billboard 200, and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. Three singles were released from the album: "Give the People", "Gold Digger" and "Rampage". The latter two reached the #1 and #2 spots, respectively, on the Hot Rap Singles chart. Business as Usual was certified Gold in sales by the RIAA in 1991. In 1998, The Source magazine selected the album as one of its 100 Best Albums.

Track listing[]

All songs produced by EPMD, except for "Funky Piano", produced by DJ Scratch.

No. TItle Performer(s) Writer(s) Time
1. "I'm Mad" EPMD Sermon, Smith 3:41
2. "Hardcore" EPMD, Redman Sermon, Smith 4:31
3. "Rampage" EPMD, LL Cool J Fulson, Fulson, Sermon, Smith, Smith 3:51
4. "Manslaughter" EPMD Sermon, Smith, White 4:38
5. "Jane 3" EPMD Sermon, Smith 2:36
6. "For My People" EPMD Sermon, Smith 3:03
7. "Mr. Bozack" EPMD Sermon, Smith 2:45
8. "Gold Digger" EPMD Bishop, Clinton, McKnight, Miller, Reid, Sermon, Smith 5:11
9. "Give the People" EPMD Gamble, Heff, Sermon, Smith 3:36
10. "Rap Is Outta Control" EPMD Sermon, Smith 3:09
11. "Brothers on My Jock" EPMD, Redman Sermon, Smith 4:07
12. "Underground" EPMD Sermon, Smith 3:30
13. "Hit Squad Heist" EPMD Sermon, Smith 3:34
14. "Funky Piano" EPMD Sermon, Smith 4:26

Samples[]

I'm Mad

  • "Laid It" by Ohio Players
  • "The Lovomaniacs" by Boobie Knight & the Universal Lady
  • "Let's Take It to the Stage" by Funkadelic

Hardcore

  • "(Don't Worry) If There's a Hell Below, We're All Going to Go" by Curtis Mayfield
  • "Pride and Vanity" by Ohio Players
  • "Strictly Snappin' Necks" by EPMD

Rampage

  • "Lord of the Golden Baboon" by Mandrill
  • "Tramp" by Lowell Fusion
  • "Window Raisin' Granny" by Gladys Knight & the Pips

Manslaughter

  • "Strange Games & Things" by Love Unlimited Orchestra

Jane 3

  • "Papa Was Too" by Joe Tex
  • "Get on the Good Foot" by James Brown
  • "Jane II" by EPMD

For My People

  • "You Can't Love Me If You Don't Respect Me" by Lyn Collins
  • "UFO" by ESG

Mr. Bozack

  • "Synthetic Substitution" by Melvin Bliss
  • "The Payback" and "Take Some...Leave Some" by James Brown

Gold Digger

  • "(Not Just) Knee Deep" by Funkadelic
  • "I'll Do Anything for You" by Denroy Morgan
  • "It's a New Day" by James Brown
  • "Think (About It)" by Lyn Collins

Give The People

  • "Give the People What They Want" by The O'Jays
  • "Impeach the President" by The Honey Drippers
  • "I Don't Know What This World Coming To" by The Soul Children feat. Jesse Jackson

Rap Is Outta Control

  • "I Bet You" by Funkadelic
  • "Make Me a Beliver" by Luther Vandross

Brothers on My Jock

  • "Nautilus" by Bob James
  • "Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud" by James Brown
  • "So What Cha Sayin'" by EPMD

Underground

  • "Hydra" by Grover Washington, Jr.
  • "Keep on Truckin'" by Eddie Kendricks

Hit Squad Heist

  • "Hot Pants Pt. 1 (She Got to Use What She Got to Get What Wants)" by James Brown
  • "Fly Like an Eagle" by Steve Miller Band
  • "Bustin' Loose" by Chuck Brown and The Soul Searchers

Funky Piano

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