Name: It's My Thing
Brand: EPMD

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

MRB7196

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Colour

Black

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2021-12-03

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Proper

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

7119691278872

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Total Cap

1 / 7" / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No / black

Artist

EPMD

Genre GB

Hip Hop

Label GB

Mr Bongo

EPMD, short for Erick and Parrish Making Dollars, is a Hip Hop duo formed by Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith in 1987. Hailing from Brentwood, Long Island, they quickly made a name for themselves with their unique monotone delivery and heavy use of funk samples. Their distinctive style set them apart from other East Coast hip hop groups of the time.

In the early 1990s, EPMD formed the Hit Squad, a crew of talented artists including Redman, Keith Murray, Das Efx, K-Solo, and DJ Scratch. Together, they created a powerful force in the music industry.

Although EPMD has experienced periods of dissolution and reunion over the years, since 2006 they have been performing together once again. Their enduring presence in the industry is a testament to their talent and influence on hip hop as a whole.

Mr Bongo is a British label that was founded in 1989. Originally located in a small record shop of the same name, it later moved to various locations in Soho and Shibuya, Japan. In 1999, the label's office was relocated to Brighton and its London & Shibuya shops were closed in 2003. However, a new shop was opened in Brighton in 2016. Since 2004, Mr Bongo has expanded into the world of cinema and also has a publishing division that produces and licenses music for third parties.
The label's rich history and diverse range of music make it an influential player in the industry. With its extensive catalog and commitment to quality, Mr Bongo continues to be at the forefront of discovering new talent and delivering exceptional music experiences.
Label Code: LC 12527

EPMD's initial success in 1987 seemed to take a lot of people by surprise. Without build-up or fanfare, they launched this stunning debut 12" and, so ill-prepared were people for it, that the label was still misspelling their name. Those early 12" copies of It's My Thing and the hard to find UK 7" that followed shortly after have them billed as EPEE MD.

Before they were signed, they were going by EEPMD, but they decided to drop an E due to the success of the west coast's Eazy E. The one person not surprised by their success, however, was hip-hop pioneer and producer Kurtis Mantronik, who actually signed them to Fresh Records.

It's fitting that he's the man that saw their promise, as he himself was one to go against the grain. His electro-influenced productions for Mantronix and Just Ice were ahead of their time, and perhaps in EPMD he saw kindred spirits. Because, at the time this dropped, hip-hop was going up tempo, taking its cue from James Brown samples and picking up the pace.

On both It's My Thing underpinned by the languorous 'Seven Minutes of Funk' by The Whole Darn Family and 'You're a Customer', with its combination of ZZ Top and Steve Miller Band Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith slow things right down. It gives their vocals time to breathe and allows us to enjoy the interplay of their metaphor and simile-heavy lyrics. As calling cards go, they don't come any better than this.

It's My Thing

Music GB