Strictly Business
EPMD Lyrics


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Try to answer to the master or the MC rap God is no joke
On the lyric, its hard to be modest
I knew I was the man with the master plan
To make you wiggle and jiggle, like gelatin
Just think while I sink, into the brain structure
(don't sleep on the e) you see, something might rupture
I don't take time for me to blow your mind
Take a second to wreck it because you're dumb and blind
So just lounge, cause you're a MC clown
Go join the circus, EPMD in town

Total chaos, no mass confusion
Rhymes so hypnotizing known to cause an illusion
Like a magician, who pulls a rabbit out a hat, son
I pull them all like a .44 magnum
MC freeze stop look and listen, and try to imagine
Its traveling the speed of light, but everything's motion
Is frightening, plus the thought you alone
You now enter dimension, called the twilight zone
You're terrified, plus you cant bear the thought
You and I one-on-one, in the land of the lost
You start to shiver, but then you scream, my friend
Yo wake up muttley, because you're dreaming again
But next time I'm on the scene, do not try to diss us
Keep your mouth shut sucker duck, because I'm strictly business

This is the rap season, where the e starts pleasing
Girls around the world no need to be skeezing
When I roll I stroll, cool always pack a tool
Just in case, a brother acts a fool
Ive got the energy, to put the girls in the frenzy
Put it in shock when I rock, give it up I'm not stingy
Make sure I don't bore when I'm on the dance floor
(get busy, boy) like you never saw before
Rhyme flow, good to go, after the show, Ill pull your hoe, boy
(Yo, you sniff blow? ), hell no!
I got my whole life ahead of me, no time to be sniffing
And my parents find out, then they start riffing
So I stay, a-okay, cause I'm the e, the r-I-c-k

MC's look me in my face, then their eyes get weak
Pulse rate descends, heart rate increases
Its like beam me up, scotty, I control your body
I'm as deadly as aids when its time to rock a party
And all due respect, when I say mic check
Let a sucker slide once, then I break his neck
So when I say jump, you reply, how high?
Because I'm taking no prisoners, so don't play hero and die
Cause you're a soldier, and I'm a green beret
I do not think twice about the MC's I slay
So if you want to battle, I highly recommend this
Bring your dog, mom, and dad, because I'm strictly business

Yo yo, you're still picking on that four-leaf clover?
Bring in the sandman, sucker, because its over
My name is Erick Sermon and I'm back again
I see the heads still turning and my so-called friends
They smile in my face, behind my back they talk trash
Mad and stuff, because they don't have cash
Like the e-double, or the PMD
He drives a corvette, I drive a samurai Suzuki
I'm a locksmith, with the key to fame
Never high on myself, always stay the same
Play a lot because I'm hot, like a horse I trot
Around the track and back, fatigued? no, I'm not

Well I'm the mellow, the fellow, the one who likes to say hello
To a fly girl that is good to go
With the slow tempo, and the off-beat rhyme flow
Cause when I am in action, there is no time for maxing
Or relaxing, just subtracting and reacting
On a sucker MC who mouth keeps on yapping and flapping
I lose my cool, then Ill start slapping and smacking
You wanna roll? then Albee start jacking and capping
No time to lounge, I'm packing and strapping
At my point of attack I soar at you like an eagle
I'm the sheriff, and biting is illegal




So next time I'm in town, I highly recommend this
You gots to chill, because I'm strictly business

Overall Meaning

The song "Strictly Business" by EPMD is a classic example of the golden age of hip hop in the late 1980s. The song is full of powerful rhymes and metaphors that elevate the rappers' status to that of a master or rap God. The lyrics are self-assured and assertive, as they proclaim the duo's superior skills and disregard for those who underestimate them. The rhymes are meant to hypnotize the listener and draw them into a world of pure rap mastery.


Line by Line Meaning

Try to answer to the master or the MC rap God is no joke
Do not underestimate or challenge the skill and authority of the master or the exceptional rap God


On the lyric, its hard to be modest
When it comes to my lyrics, it's difficult to downplay my talent


I knew I was the man with the master plan
I always had the confidence and foresight to execute my plans successfully


To make you wiggle and jiggle, like gelatin
I aim to make you dance and move your body in a flexible and lively manner


Just think while I sink, into the brain structure
Ponder deeply as I delve into the depths of your mental processes


(don't sleep on the e) you see, something might rupture
Pay attention to me (the rapper E), as disregarding my talent may have consequences


I don't take time for me to blow your mind
I don't need much time to impress and astound you


Take a second to wreck it because you're dumb and blind
Take a brief moment to acknowledge my destructive lyricism because you lack intelligence and awareness


So just lounge, cause you're a MC clown
Relax and accept your inferiority as an MC clown


Go join the circus, EPMD in town
You should join a circus because EPMD is already dominating the rap scene


Total chaos, no mass confusion
A state of complete disorder without widespread confusion


Rhymes so hypnotizing known to cause an illusion
My rhymes are incredibly captivating and can create a sense of deception or illusion


Like a magician, who pulls a rabbit out a hat, son
Just like a magician impresses by producing a rabbit out of a hat, I am capable of astonishing feats


I pull them all like a .44 magnum
I effortlessly attract and captivate audiences, similar to the power of a .44 Magnum


MC freeze stop look and listen, and try to imagine
MCs should pause, pay attention, and visualize the impact of my words


Its traveling the speed of light, but everything's motion
My rap is moving at an incredibly fast pace, yet everything remains in motion


Is frightening, plus the thought you alone
This is intimidating, especially when you consider that you are alone in this experience


You now enter dimension, called the twilight zone
You have now entered a peculiar and mysterious dimension known as the twilight zone


You're terrified, plus you cant bear the thought
You're filled with fear and unable to cope with the idea


You and I one-on-one, in the land of the lost
You and I will face off in a battle of skill and wit, in a realm of confusion and uncertainty


You start to shiver, but then you scream, my friend
You tremble with fear and eventually let out a scream


Yo wake up muttley, because you're dreaming again
Wake up from your illusion, just like Muttley from 'Wacky Races,' as you are merely dreaming


But next time I'm on the scene, do not try to diss us
In the future, refrain from disrespecting or criticizing us when I am present


Keep your mouth shut sucker duck, because I'm strictly business
Do not speak or act foolishly because I am solely focused on my professional endeavors


This is the rap season, where the e starts pleasing
During this period of rap music, I (the rapper E) aim to satisfy and entertain


Girls around the world no need to be skeezing
Girls worldwide, there's no need to be promiscuous or promiscuously pursue me


When I roll I stroll, cool always pack a tool
As I move around, I remain calm and prepared for any situation


Just in case, a brother acts a fool
In preparation for instances where someone behaves foolishly or irresponsibly


Ive got the energy, to put the girls in the frenzy
I possess the enthusiasm and charisma to excite and captivate the girls


Put it in shock when I rock, give it up I'm not stingy
I shock and impress everyone with my performances and I'm not selfish in sharing my talent


Make sure I don't bore when I'm on the dance floor
I ensure that I never become tedious or uninteresting when I'm dancing


(get busy, boy) like you never saw before
Engage in intense and energetic activity, like you've never witnessed before


Rhyme flow, good to go, after the show, Ill pull your hoe, boy
My flow of rhymes is excellent and ready to go. After the performance, I will attract and impress your lady


(Yo, you sniff blow? ), hell no!
Questioning if I use drugs? Absolutely not!


I got my whole life ahead of me, no time to be sniffing
I have a bright future ahead and no time to waste on drug use


And my parents find out, then they start riffing
If my parents were to find out about any drug use, they would express their disapproval and cause a commotion


So I stay, a-okay, cause I'm the e, the r-I-c-k
Therefore, I remain in a good and acceptable state because I am E-R-I-C-K (the rapper)


MC's look me in my face, then their eyes get weak
MCs, when they encounter me face-to-face, exhibit signs of intimidation and weakness


Pulse rate descends, heart rate increases
Their pulse rate decreases while their heart rate accelerates


Its like beam me up, scotty, I control your body
Similar to the command 'beam me up, Scotty' in 'Star Trek,' I have the power to manipulate and control your body


I'm as deadly as aids when its time to rock a party
When it comes to rocking a party, I am just as lethal and impactful as the AIDS virus


And all due respect, when I say mic check
With full sincerity, I request a sound check for the microphone


Let a sucker slide once, then I break his neck
I might tolerate a fool for a short period, but then I swiftly defeat and humiliate him


So when I say jump, you reply, how high?
When I instruct you to jump, you should immediately comply and ask how high


Because I'm taking no prisoners, so don't play hero and die
I am not showing mercy or taking any captives, so refrain from acting like a hero or facing the consequences


Cause you're a soldier, and I'm a green beret
You may consider yourself a soldier, but I hold the status of a highly trained special forces soldier (green beret)


I do not think twice about the MC's I slay
I do not hesitate or have second thoughts when I eliminate subpar MCs


So if you want to battle, I highly recommend this
If you desire to engage in a rap battle, I strongly advise you to do so


Bring your dog, mom, and dad, because I'm strictly business
Involve your entire family in the battle because I am solely focused on my professional endeavors


Yo yo, you're still picking on that four-leaf clover?
Are you still relying on luck by picking a four-leaf clover?


Bring in the sandman, sucker, because its over
Call for help from the sandman (symbolizing sleep and dreams), because your time and defeat have arrived


My name is Erick Sermon and I'm back again
My name is Erick Sermon, and I have returned once again


I see the heads still turning and my so-called friends
I notice that people are still paying attention to me and even those who claim to be my friends


They smile in my face, behind my back they talk trash
They pretend to be friendly when facing me, but then gossip negatively about me when I'm not around


Mad and stuff, because they don't have cash
They are envious and resentful because they lack financial resources


Like the e-double, or the PMD
Similar to me (Erick Sermon) or PMD (another rapper)


He drives a corvette, I drive a samurai Suzuki
PMD drives a luxurious Corvette car, while I drive a modest Samurai Suzuki vehicle


I'm a locksmith, with the key to fame
I possess the skills and abilities to unlock the doors to fame and success


Never high on myself, always stay the same
I never let my success get to my head, and I always remain true to myself


Play a lot because I'm hot, like a horse I trot
I frequently engage in activities because I am talented and in-demand, just like a horse that trots


Around the track and back, fatigued? no, I'm not
I swiftly move around the track and return, but I never become tired or exhausted


Well I'm the mellow, the fellow, the one who likes to say hello
I am the calm and easygoing individual who enjoys greeting and engaging with others


To a fly girl that is good to go
Specifically to an attractive girl who is ready for fun and excitement


With the slow tempo, and the off-beat rhyme flow
Using a relaxed tempo and unique rhythm, I deliver my rhymes with an unconventional style


Cause when I am in action, there is no time for maxing
When I am actively pursuing my goals, there is no time for idleness or laziness


Or relaxing, just subtracting and reacting
Instead of relaxing, I am constantly assessing and responding to the situation


On a sucker MC who mouth keeps on yapping and flapping
Targeting an annoying MC who endlessly talks without substance


I lose my cool, then Ill start slapping and smacking
I become agitated and resort to physically striking or reprimanding the individual


You wanna roll? then Albee start jacking and capping
If you wish to confront me in a confrontation, Albee (referring to Albee Square Mall in Brooklyn) will initiate unruly behavior and aggressive actions


No time to lounge, I'm packing and strapping
I have no time to relax or delay, as I am busy preparing and securing myself


At my point of attack I soar at you like an eagle
When I initiate my approach, I swiftly advance toward you like an eagle soaring with speed and precision


I'm the sheriff, and biting is illegal
I hold the position of authority and dictate that imitating or copying my style is against the rules


So next time I'm in town, I highly recommend this
The next time I am present in the area, I strongly suggest following my advice


You gots to chill, because I'm strictly business
You need to relax and remain calm because I am solely focused on my professional endeavors




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Cloud9
Written by: ERICK S SERMON, PARRISH JOSEFF SMITH, BOB MARLEY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Scott McCarthy

I was a producer/engineer who lived through the golden era and I can tell you why Hip Hop from the golden era and earlier is so much better than today's Hip Hop. I worked in D&D and other famous studios during that time:


1. You had a team of engineers and producers to help you. The engineers knew what they were doing and made amazing mix downs. Listen to how amazing the mastering is on this album. It's incredible. Also listen to Jam On It. It's one of the greatest mastered records in recent history.


2. You had a team at your label. Your label wouldn't let you release wack music because everyone had a stake in it. When something was off, your label and labelmates would help.


3. You could sample dope music. Now sample clearances are a giant pain in the ass.


4. Analog equipment and analog samplers were used. The music just sounded so "warm". I still hear the difference between an Ensoniq ASR sampler and a computer. The computers all have the same chip sets and process audio the same way. It's flat and cold. The old analog reel to reels, boards, and samplers had their own "feel".Don't believe me? Think of it this way - how much electricity did you have to pump through an SSL board vs. your laptop to make music? The SSL took massive amounts thus pumping more energy into the song.


5. Loudness wars didn't exist. Engineers focused on "dynamic range" and "personality" rather than how loud they could smash the song. Now all they want to do is make it as loud as possible which sacrifices dynamic range.


These days, 1 person with a laptop can pump out a song but it doesn't mean it's good or well engineered. Engineers during the golden era were AMAZING. Most have left the business because it pays so little.



All comments from YouTube:

DarkSun360

Summer of 88 my boy picked me up to go play basketball. This EPMD classic was blowing out his car speakers on repeat all the way to the court. My teenage mind was blown. Decades later this classic still 🔥🔥

Alan Smithee

The use of scratching in this joint is FLAWLESS. The whole album is a clinic on how it should be done.

Frank White

One of the best albums ever from beginning to end.

maldoror2007

and back

Andres Cobo

@maldoror2007 pppppppppp

Griff Shannon

In that particular genre fosho

e a

Music like this never gets old. It just show what talent is.

Clifford Jordan

Epmd is like magic and Kareem. The greatest hip-hop duo ever

Chirko Telhin

outkast better

RANGERZZZZZZ

Eric b & Rakim better

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