What broke up EPMD?
EPMD were a highly popular duo in the 1990s, and both its members managed to achieve a degree of success during the early 2000s. Comprised of MCs Erick Sermon and Parrish Mic Doc, the Long Island duo rose to prominence in the late 1980s and first began to appear on hip-hop’s radar after the release of their underground hit ‘Strictly Business’.
The Long Island rappers were initially a local underground duo but eventually signed with the independent record label Sleeping Bag Records, which previously had acts such as Mantronix, Just-Ice, Nice & Smooth and T La Rock.
Unfortunately, it looked like it was all over for EPMD as, in 1992, the record label was shut, and its catalogue was left in limbo. However, luckily, the iconic music mogul Russell Simmons of Def Jam had already heard about the duo through word of mouth and tapes. As such, when they became musically homeless, Simmons was eager to scoop up the talented duo.
However, after settling in at Def Jam, tensions began to grow between Sermon and Parrish. The reason for the previously nonexistent friction between the two was due to the pressure Def Jam put upon them to make something with mainstream appeal.
In 1992, EPMD’s single ‘Crossover’ was a hit, entering the Billboard Hot 100 at number 42. However, Parrish was not happy and, in a turn for the worse, was robbed later that year. Following the culprit’s capture, he named Sermon as the man who paid him to commit the crime. However, the lack of evidence and serious damage meant both the culprit and Sermon were acquitted.
The end of EPMD?
Unsurprisingly, this led to the two parting ways in 1993, the first time EPMD broke up. After this initial split, Erick Sermon quickly became a solo artist and released No Pressure later that year. In 1995, he dropped Double or Nothing, followed by Def Squad Presents Erick Onasis in 2000, Music in 2001, and the epic React in 2002.
However, after the release of Double Or Nothing, behind the scenes, the two were mending bridges and recording their comeback LP, Back In Business. In 1999, they released Out Of Business. However, during his solo period, Sermon formed a new collective, Def Squad, which included New Jersey legend Redman. Their album El Niño was certified gold.
As a result of Sermon’s success as a solo artist and the rise of Def Squad, by 2002, EPMD had split again. Since 2006, they have had occasional reunions but only for one-off shows and the such.
EPMD initially broke up as a result of musical frustrations and a misunderstanding in their friendship. However, their second most impactful breakup was due to the simple fact that Sermon had created a well-established brand as a solo artist and, as a part of Def Squad, was too far ahead of his former partner-in-crime Parrish Mic Doc.