EPMD-We Mean Business Review

We all know EPMD or know something about them even if you have never heard the name EPMD. Perhaps Erick Sermon sound familiar? The man behind hits like "Music f/ Marvin Gaye" and "React f/Redman" Hell without EPMD who knows if we would have Redman, Das EFX, or Keith Murray. In short their contribution to hip-hop is huge and its a shame that this album won't sell well. But sales aren't what makes a good album so lets dive into it and check it out.

1.Puttin Work In F/ Raekwon-Has a kind of dark synthesizer with a stab of string in it. At first i found it kind of annoying but it has definitely grown on me. It's the usual average EPMD raps that still for some reason sound dope. Raekwon steals the show though like he usually does.

2.What You Talkin F/ Havoc (Mobb Deep)-Got some keys playing over a semi hard beat. It actually almost sounds like something out of an old horror movie. Either way its dope.

3.Roc Da Spot-Bouncy funk shit right here. Usual braggy raps that we expect from EPMD which is fine. Both E and PMD are trading lines and it sounds like some classic stuff.

4.Blow-I love this song. Thats all i have to say.

5.Run It F/ KRS-ONE-This song makes me ask the question. Why doesnt Krs-One reach out to Sermon to help produce a new album. He always sounds more invigorated and dope when hes over some quality production like "classic" with Nas, Rakim, and West. Back to the track though, this shit is hot HAH!!.

6.Yo F/Redman-The obligatory Redman feature complete with a mention of WKYA radio. This is hardly a bad thing. Reggie does what he does best and the beat is some more funky ass shit. Its quite the theme to have.

7.Listen Up F/Teddy Riley-I do believe Teddy Riley is using a vocoder. Whatever it is its HOT! I put this song on repeat like 20 times. The beat is funky as hell. The hook almost sounds like the hook for "crossover." Both Sermon and Parrish sound excited. It's great.

8.Back Stabba-The production on this is alright. Definitely a let down after "Listen Up" but Parrish and Sermon flow their ass off so its not awful.

9.Neva Defeat Em F/ Method Man-I love this song too. DJ Honda hooks up the beat with a funky ass guitar lick under the beat and it just pours with energy. Oddly Method Mans verse is censored. Doesnt matter though this track is too too dope.

10.Jane-I guess they dont number the Jane songs anymore. Whatever. This is old school sounding as hell. Its cool but not as hilarious as Jane 3.

11.Left For Dead-9th Wonder production. Eh. It sounds kind of halfassed to me but its cool to hear Skyzoo rapping among legends.

12.They Tell Me-This track is ok. I dont love it and I dont hate it.

13.Actin Up-Another average track. Lame way to end the album but whatever.

This album is hot as hell. Theres a few average tracks but the ones that are great are replayable for hours (see: listen up). This is exactly what fans were waiting for. Straight funky ass beats and EPMD bragging. No new steps forward but after not releasing an album in almost 10 years I don't think the fans would want anything different. Either way I recommend that everyone buys this album. EPMD!!!!!!

Rating: 8 out of 10