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 it's 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 it's 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.
Release date:
January 14, 2022
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Ortofon 2M Red Cartridge
Features an elliptical stylus that accurately tracks the grooves of vinyl records, delivering a rich, detailed sound with an output voltage of 5.5 mV
-
Pro-Ject Phono Box DC Pre-Amp
Compact, high-performance phono preamplifier for both MM and MC cartridges, delivering a clean, detailed signal with minimal noise.
-
Nagaoka MP-110H Cartridge
Features a high-quality elliptical stylus that provides excellent tracking and minimizes distortion, delivering a detailed sound reproduction with an output voltage of 5.0 mV
-
Cartridges - Top Picks
A selection of turnatble cartridges that provide great performance and sound quality
-
Denon DP-400
Featuring a high-precision, belt-driven mechanism and an adjustable tonearm that ensures optimal tracking and minimal resonance
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Miles Kane Sunlight In The Shadows (Blue Skies)
Easy Eye Sound
October 17, 2025 -
Pinks The Reds & Purples The Past is a Garden I Never Fed (Neon Pink)
Fire Records
July 4, 2025 -
Alina Bzhezhinska & Tulshi Whispers of Rain
Tru Thoughts
July 11, 2025 -
THROATCUT. RESILIENCE. (Red/Black Marbled)
Arising Empire
August 8, 2025 -
Real Estate THe Wee Small Hours: B-Sides And Other Detritus 2011-2025
Domino Record Co
September 19, 2025 -
Saint Etienne International
Heavenly
September 5, 2025 -
Rage A New World Rising [25xLP]
Steamhammer
September 26, 2025 -
Dean Johnson I Hope We Can Still Be Friends (“So Much Better Now Blue”)
Saddle Creek
August 22, 2025 -
Quinie Forefowk, Mind Me
Upset The Rhythm
July 4, 2025 -
Panic Shack Panic Shack (Red)
Brace Yourself
July 18, 2025 -
Slikback Attrition
Planet Mu Records Ltd
July 18, 2025 -
Clipse Let God Sort Em' Out
Roc Nation
July 11, 2025 -
Alex Warren You’ll Be Alright, Kid (Amazon Exclusive) [2xLP]
Atlantic
July 18, 2025 -
Lorna Shore I Feel The Everblack Festering Within Me [2xLP]
Century Media
September 12, 2025