EPMD: Business Never Personal (1992). It Was All Good...Until It Wasn't
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08/01/22 • 26 min
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B. Cox reviews EPMD's fourth album Business Never Personal as it turns 30. After three successful albums that carried them through the peak of hip-hop's golden era, EPMD released their fourth album and seemed primed for success well into the 90s.
The album is packed into less than 40 minutes of funky, but thumping production by the group with two singles: "Crossover" and the posse cut "Head Banger" which featured fellow Hit Squad members K-Solo and newcomer Redman. The album went gold and is considered by some to be the group's third classic album, and by others a return to their roots of their freshman and sophomore albums.
The success would not be long lived. Due to tensions over financial improprieties and accusations that Erick Sermon sent burglars to rob Parrish Smith's home, the group split shortly after the album, pursuing solo careers, before reuniting in 1997 for a new album.
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Show Notes
Albumism: EPMD's fourth album "Business Never Personal" Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospective
https://albumism.com/features/epmd-business-never-personal-turns-30-anniversary-retrospective
HipHopScriptures: EPMD's "Business Never Personal" Album Anniversary
https://www.hiphopscriptures.com/blog/2022/7/30/epmds-business-never-personal-album-anniversary
Medium: Funk Loops, Turmoil and Reconciliation: EPMD's "Business Never Personal" Turns 30...
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B. Cox reviews EPMD's fourth album Business Never Personal as it turns 30. After three successful albums that carried them through the peak of hip-hop's golden era, EPMD released their fourth album and seemed primed for success well into the 90s.
The album is packed into less than 40 minutes of funky, but thumping production by the group with two singles: "Crossover" and the posse cut "Head Banger" which featured fellow Hit Squad members K-Solo and newcomer Redman. The album went gold and is considered by some to be the group's third classic album, and by others a return to their roots of their freshman and sophomore albums.
The success would not be long lived. Due to tensions over financial improprieties and accusations that Erick Sermon sent burglars to rob Parrish Smith's home, the group split shortly after the album, pursuing solo careers, before reuniting in 1997 for a new album.
Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Online
Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpod
Show Notes
Albumism: EPMD's fourth album "Business Never Personal" Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospective
https://albumism.com/features/epmd-business-never-personal-turns-30-anniversary-retrospective
HipHopScriptures: EPMD's "Business Never Personal" Album Anniversary
https://www.hiphopscriptures.com/blog/2022/7/30/epmds-business-never-personal-album-anniversary
Medium: Funk Loops, Turmoil and Reconciliation: EPMD's "Business Never Personal" Turns 30...
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Previous Episode
Mary J. Blige: What's the 411? (1992). The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Gets Crowned
B. Cox looks back at Mary J. Blige's debut classic album What's the 411? as it turns 30. As the youngest signee of Andre Harrell's Uptown Records, the New York-born singer was brought under the tutelage of producer and executive Sean "Diddy" Combs for debut album. Utilizing samples of popular hip-hop records from the 80s matched with drums to complement the sweet vocals of Blige, she burst onto the scene with three smash singles in the summer of 1992. Working with the likes of Cory Rooney, Dave "Jam" Hall, Mark Morales and Devante Swing, the album shot to the top of the charts. The unique sound, coupled with Blige's persona, fashion and relatability, earned Blige her first nickname: "The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul".
The album was certified triple platinum and won Blige Best New R&B Artist and Best R&B album at the 1993 Soul Train Music Awards. It was the start of a now 30 year career that has seen 14 albums all crack the Billboard 200 top 10 and also credited with making the marriage of hip-hop and R&B one of "real love"
Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Online
Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpod
Show Notes
Albumism: Mary J. Blige's Debut Album "What's the 411?" Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospective=
https://albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-30-years-of-mary-j-blige-debut-album-whats-the-411
Music Musings & Such: Show It Some Love: Mary J. Blige's "What's the 411?" At Thirty
https://www.musicmusingsandsuch.com/musicmusingsandsuch/2022/6/25/feature-show-it-some-real-love-mary-j-bliges-whats-the-411-at-thirty
The Boombox: Mary J. Blige's "What's the 411?" Changed the Landscape of 1990s R&B
https://theboombox.com/mary-j-bliges-what-the-411-re-shaped-the-landscape-of-1990s-rb/
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Next Episode
Scarface: The Fix (2002). Face-Boss, Griot, OG, Legend
B. Cox reviews Scarface's classic 7th album The Fix as it turns 20. After leaving long time label Rap-A Lot, the Houston veteran emcee moved to Def Jam South as their president, but was coaxed into releasing first and only studio album while on the label. Assisted by an all-star production cast that included himself, Kanye West, Nottz, the Neptunes, Mike Dean and T-Mix, he spit his customary commanding flow telling both cautionary tales and warnings against those who opposed him. However, Scarface also took the time to reflect on his spirituality and what his relationship with God did for him during hard times.
He was also had an all-star slate of guest appearances, headlined by the likes of Jay-Z, Beanie Siegel, Nas, Kelly Price, WC and Faith Evans. The album was powered by two now-classic singles: "Guess Who's Back" and "My Block".
The album is considered one of Scarface's finest works and is considered to be one of the best albums of the 2000s.
Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Online
Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpod
Show Notes
Stereogum: "The Fix" Turns 20
https://www.stereogum.com/2195283/scarface-the-fix-turns-20/reviews/the-anniversary/
Albumism: Celebrating 20 Years of Scarface's "The Fix" | Album Anniversary
https://albumism.com/features/celebrating-20-years-of-scarface-the-fix-album-anniversary
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donations
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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