EPMD
Symphony 2000

EPMD dropped a new album: 'Out Of Business'. It's not that they are going to stop making music together. But it will be the last album in this century by the Green Eye Bandit and the Mic Doc. Fans took it personal when EPMD broke up in 1992. After five years they released a new album when they reunited: 'Back In Business'. Def Jam didn't even believe in the album at first. But EPMD's sound was and is still relevant. Music is personal so make it your business.

'You Gots To Chill', was voted as HipHop greatest song in The Source 100th issue. Eric: "When people first heard it they thought we was from the West Coast or the South because nobody from the East was using beats like that." Parrish: "We'd do shows in Texas and we'd have to perform 'You Got To Chill' four times in one night. We'd try to leave the venue and cats would be like 'no dawg, one more time'."

They are both from the Brentwood-Bayshore area of Long Island, New York. E moved to his grandmothers house in Parrish neighborhood. A two song demo attracted the attention of 'Sleeping Back Records'. 'No Crossover' is their biggest record ever. They we're dissing the radio, tv and the whole nine in an area were MC Hammer did 9 million albums. They held their ground.

Now we have their first single: 'Symphony 2000', inspired by Marley Marls' Symphonies. It features the men: Method Man and Redman. And a new lady on the block, Lady Luck. On 'Symphony 2000', she sounds promising. We do need more female MC's that can bring it on and are maintaining. A stomping beat with short bars and a violin sample. The beat could be described as compact, but I think it would be more massive if the beat was slowed down feeling wise, not in beats per minutes. It gives the image of being out of breath.

'Eric & Parrish Millennium Ducats', what the hell are they turning in dollars for ducats? Ducats is a former coin of Venice and Holland. Formed after the word 'duchy'. The first was struck by Roger II of Sicily. So what is the connection? Taking a dive in the bookshelves one dictionary is so nice to give the slang meanings of the word. Ducat: 'A ticket usually for the theatre or sport event'. Ah, well the coin dropped and I got the clue. Parrish: "Ill cat/slick talk/slang: New York/to break it down in straight English/What the fuck you want?!"

But relax, on vinyl there are always two sides. The b-side contains 'Right Now', now right there in that track the beat is as fast as the first but doesn't you give that out of breath feeling. More massive bassline and no violin sample which becomes quite irritating when you listen long to the song, too long a time.

Right Now:
"Who? EPMD got checks to cash/What? Dropping bombs for the clubs to blast/When? Right now so my crew can flash/Where? Right here get the money and stash."

Here at the editorial Eric Oehlers and I had a discussion who of the two is the dopest. Eric: "Eric is the best rapper and beat creator. He got more melody in his flow. But Parrish got better rhymes. Eric is the rapper, more melody: "Never seen before, I'm EriC SeRmoN. AND I'M PARRISH SMITH". AQ: "That is what I like. Eric has that power in the tracks that he produces. With Parrish it is massive. He flows like a train in full speed: massive. Just like you said: 'AND I'M PARRSIH SMITH'. One pure power block." The conversation describes perfectly the chemistry when the two are together. And what is lacking on their solo joints. They never achieved the same sales figures solo as the Eric & Parrish Making Dollars. Get ready for 2000 with their final album in this century: 'Out Of Business', your ducat.

AQ