Formed in 1987 by Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith, EPMD (Erick and Parrish Making Dollars) revolutionized East Coast hip-hop with their distinctive monotone delivery and innovative use of funk samples. Their production-heavy approach and sampling techniques became foundational to the genre, influencing countless producers working at the intersection of hip-hop and electronic music.
Beyond their solo output, EPMD established the Hit Squad collective in the early 1990s, a powerhouse roster that included Redman, Das Efx, and K-Solo. The crew's collaborative releases and cross-pollination of styles helped shape the sonic landscape of '90s hip-hop. Despite two breakups and reunions, EPMD has maintained an active touring presence since 2006, continuing to perform their catalog of funk-sampled classics.
