Artist: Epmd Album: Unfinished Business

Year: 1989
Duration: 55:46

Unfinished Business by EPMD: A Critical Review of their Classic Album

If you're a fan of hip hop or rap, there's no doubt that you've heard of EPMD - the iconic duo of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith. They've been credited with being pioneers of the East Coast hip hop scene, and their music has influenced countless artists who have followed in their footsteps. In this post, we'll take a closer look at one of their classic albums, Unfinished Business. We'll give you a brief history of the artist, an overview of the music genre of the album, highlight the best songs of the album, evaluate the most innovative parts of the album, as well as our critical take on the album.

EPMD was formed in Long Island, New York in 1986. Their first album, Strictly Business, was met with critical acclaim and was praised for its use of funk and soul samples and in-house production. Unfinished Business was released in 1989 and followed in the footsteps of its predecessor, featuring funky beats, solid rhymes, and memorable samples. The album was a commercial success, reaching No. 6 on the R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.

Unfinished Business can be categorized as a classic boom-bap hip hop album, featuring a sound that heavily utilizes drum programming and samples. Some of the most notable songs from the album include So Wat Cha Sayin', Get the Bozack, and Please Listen to My Demo. These tracks have become genre-defining classics in their own right.

One of the many innovative parts of the album is the interplay between Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith's lyrics. The two rappers have distinct voices and styles that complement each other perfectly. Additionally, the production on the album is top-notch. The samples are often layered in interesting and creative ways, which allows the tracks to take on a life of their own.

Despite the success of Unfinished Business, some critics have pointed out a lack of diversity in the album. Many of the songs feature similar sounds and beats, which can make the album feel repetitive at times. Additionally, while the delivery of the rhymes is strong, some may find that the lyrics themselves are not particularly deep or thought-provoking.

In conclusion, Unfinished Business is a classic album from one of the most important groups in hip hop history. While some may find the album to be somewhat one-dimensional, there's no denying the impact that it has had on the genre as a whole. From its funky beats to its memorable rhymes, this album helped to define the sound of East Coast hip hop in the late 80s. Fans of the genre owe it to themselves to give this album a listen, and we're confident that they won't be disappointed.