Business as Usual | |
---|---|
Studio album by EPMD | |
Released |
December 18, 1990 |
Recorded |
1989 - 1990 |
Studio |
North Shore Studios |
Genre |
|
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
- "Internationally Known" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
- "I'll Play the Blues for You" by Albert King
- "Public Enemy No. 1" by Public Enemy