Business Never Personal

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Business Never Personal
Business Never Personal cover
Studio album by EPMD
Released July 28, 1992
Genre Hip Hop
Length 38:58
Label Def Jam Records/Columbia
OK-52848
Producer(s) artist
Charlie Marotta
DJ Scratch
Mr. Bozack
Professional reviews
EPMD chronology
Business As Usual
(1990)
Business Never Personal
(1992)
Back In Business
(1997)


Business Never Personal is the fourth album from Hip Hop duo EPMD. After receiving mixed reviews for their previous effort Business As Usual, the duo was able to return to their past acclaim here, the album is considered as their third classic, and was their most successful effort. The lead single "Crossover" became their biggest success, nearly reaching the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. Ironically, the song was about keeping it real and not crossing over to the mainstream, but then became EPMD's biggest mainstream success. The posse-cut "Head Banger" with Redman and K-Solo was also a hit in '92.

Even more ironic was the title Business Never Personal, because business became very personal before the release of the album. Members Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith began having money troubles during recording, which led to Parrish having his home robbed in 1992. The perpetrators claimed that Erick Sermon paid them to do the deed, causing the group to break up soon after this release. They each released two solo albums between 1993 and 1996, then returned as a duo in 1997.

The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on October 13, 1992. The single "Crossover" was certified Gold by the RIAA on November 16, 1992.

(Note: This is the only EPMD album that is currently out of print.)

[edit] Track listing

# Title Producer(s) Performer (s)
1 "Boon Dox" EPMD Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith
2 "Nobody's Safe Chump" EPMD Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith
3 "Can't Hear Nothing But The Music" EPMD, Charlie Marotta Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith
4 "Chill" EPMD Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith
5 "Head Banger" EPMD Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith, K-Solo, Redman
6 "Scratch Bring It Back, Pt. 2 [Mic Doc]" DJ Scratch, Mr. Bozack Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith
7 "Crossover" EPMD Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith
8 "Cummin' At Cha" EPMD Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith, Das EFX
9 "Play The Next Man" EPMD Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith
10 "It's Going Down" EPMD Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith
11 "Who Killed Jane?" EPMD Erick Sermon, Parrish Smith

[edit] Album Chart Positions

Year Album Chart positions
Billboard 200 Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
1992 Business Never Personal #14 #5

[edit] Singles Chart Positions

Year Song Chart positions
Billboard Hot 100 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks Hot Rap Singles Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales
1992 "Crossover" #42 #14 #1 #12
1992 "Head Banger" - #75 #11 -