Hit Squad
Encyclopedia
The Hit Squad was a 1990s hip hop collective of East coast hip hop
artists formed by Erick Sermon
and Parrish Smith better known as EPMD
. The collective separated when EPMD broke up for the first time in 1993, later reforming as Def Squad
.
new artists. The first artist to make a guest appearance on an EPMD album was K-Solo
. Solo was featured on their second album Unfinished Business
on the song "Knick Knack Patty Wack". The first mention of "Hit Squad" appeared on EPMD's third album Business as Usual
on the track "Hit Squad Heist". The lyrics mention Redman, K-Solo and Tom J of Knucklehedz. Redman is also featured on two tracks of that album.
In 1993, EPMD released the single "Headbanger" from their fourth album Business Never Personal
. The single featured K-Solo and Redman and the music video
features appearances by most of the Hit Squad. The single reached #11 on Billboard
s Hot Rap Tracks
chart. The single's success made "Head Banger" the Squad's "signature song
". The album also features Das EFX
on the track "Cummin' At Cha".
, Sermon alleged financial impropriety on Smith’s part while Smith alleged that Sermon hired intruders to burglarize his home at gunpoint
. Sermon was arrested and briefly detained for questioning, but no charges were filed. This resulted in a heated altercation on the set of the "Head Banger" video. EPMD officially broke up in January 1993. Redman and Hurricane G continued to collaborate with Sermon while Das EFX and DJ Scratch remained under Smith's management. K-Solo pursued separate endeavors. The debut album by Knucklehedz became lost in the shuffle in the midst of the breakup and was shelved
.
Sermon later formed the Def Squad
with Redman and another protege Keith Murray
. Smith continued to mention the name "Hit Squad" on his subsequent solo albums and on EPMD's reunion albums, but it remained unclear who the members the new Squad were. Smith appeared alongside rap unknowns Blast, Poogi and L The Pro on the classic 1997 Tony Touch
mixtape
Power Cypha 2, credited as "PMD & The Hit Squad". In 2004, Smith released an album titled Hit Squad: Zero Tolerance using previously unreleased verses by the original members combined with his latest new artists.
As of the 2006 EPMD reunion, most of the former Hit Squad members also reunited along with Def Squad rapper Keith Murray. A new album for the Hit Squad/Def Squad is planned.
East Coast hip hop
East Coast hip hop is a regional subgenre of hip hop music that originated in New York City, USA during the 1970s. Hip hop is recognized to have originated and evolved first in the East Coast...
artists formed by Erick Sermon
Erick Sermon
Erick Sermon , in Bay Shore, New York is an American rapper, musician, and producer.Sermon is best known as half of late-1980s/1990s hip hop group EPMD and for production work. He currently resides in Islandia, New York.- Career :...
and Parrish Smith better known as EPMD
EPMD
EPMD is an American hip hop group from Brentwood, New York. The group's name is a concatenation of the members' name "E" and "PMD" or an acronym for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars", referencing its members, emcees Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith...
. The collective separated when EPMD broke up for the first time in 1993, later reforming as Def Squad
Def Squad
Def Squad is a rap supergroup consisting of Erick Sermon, Redman & Keith Murray. Mally G is considered an honorary member of the Def Squad. Before officially forming as a group to release an album in 1998, they had each been featured on tracks by each other...
.
Career
After the success of their debut album Strictly Business, EPMD sought to mentorMentor
In Greek mythology, Mentor was the son of Alcimus or Anchialus. In his old age Mentor was a friend of Odysseus who placed Mentor and Odysseus' foster-brother Eumaeus in charge of his son Telemachus, and of Odysseus' palace, when Odysseus left for the Trojan War.When Athena visited Telemachus she...
new artists. The first artist to make a guest appearance on an EPMD album was K-Solo
K-Solo
K-Solo is an American rapper from Central Islip, New York who, along with EPMD, Redman, Das EFX, and Keith Murray, was part of the Hit Squad in 1990s.-Late years:...
. Solo was featured on their second album Unfinished Business
Unfinished Business (EPMD album)
Unfinished Business is the second album from Hip Hop duo EPMD. Released in 1989, the album built upon the success of the group's previous album Strictly Business, which was released the previous year. The lead single, "So Wat Cha Sayin'," was the only charting single released from the album...
on the song "Knick Knack Patty Wack". The first mention of "Hit Squad" appeared on EPMD's third album Business as Usual
Business As Usual (EPMD album)
Business as Usual is the third album from Hip Hop duo EPMD, and their first on leading rap label Def Jam as a result of being signed over from their former label, Fresh Records...
on the track "Hit Squad Heist". The lyrics mention Redman, K-Solo and Tom J of Knucklehedz. Redman is also featured on two tracks of that album.
In 1993, EPMD released the single "Headbanger" from their fourth album Business Never Personal
Business Never Personal
Business Never Personal is the fourth studio album by hip hop duo EPMD, released July 28, 1992 on Def Jam Records. Following mixed criticism of their previous studio effort, 1990's Business As Usual, the duo was able to return to their past acclaim on Business Never Personal. The album is...
. The single featured K-Solo and Redman and the music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
features appearances by most of the Hit Squad. The single reached #11 on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
s Hot Rap Tracks
Hot Rap Tracks
Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single...
chart. The single's success made "Head Banger" the Squad's "signature song
Signature song
A signature song is the one song that a popular and well-established singer or band is most closely identified with or best known for, even if they have had success with a variety of songs...
". The album also features Das EFX
Das EFX
Das EFX is an American hip hop duo. It consists of emcees Skoob and Dray...
on the track "Cummin' At Cha".
Breakup
In late-1992, tensions grew between Sermon and Smith. According to articles in The SourceThe Source (magazine)
The Source is a United States-based, monthly full-color magazine covering hip-hop music, politics, and culture, founded in 1988. It is the world's second longest running rap periodical, behind United Kingdom-based publication Hip Hop Connection. The Source was founded as a newsletter in 1988...
, Sermon alleged financial impropriety on Smith’s part while Smith alleged that Sermon hired intruders to burglarize his home at gunpoint
Gunpoint
Gunpoint is the direction that a gun is pointing. It may also refer to:*Gunpoint , a 1966 movie Western starring Audie Murphy*"At gunpoint", under threat from a gun: see Coercion#Physical...
. Sermon was arrested and briefly detained for questioning, but no charges were filed. This resulted in a heated altercation on the set of the "Head Banger" video. EPMD officially broke up in January 1993. Redman and Hurricane G continued to collaborate with Sermon while Das EFX and DJ Scratch remained under Smith's management. K-Solo pursued separate endeavors. The debut album by Knucklehedz became lost in the shuffle in the midst of the breakup and was shelved
Shelved
In politics, the term can be used for policy drafts, that have never been officially brought into legislation.In the film industry, a film is considered shelved if it is not released for public viewing after filming has started, or even completed....
.
Sermon later formed the Def Squad
Def Squad
Def Squad is a rap supergroup consisting of Erick Sermon, Redman & Keith Murray. Mally G is considered an honorary member of the Def Squad. Before officially forming as a group to release an album in 1998, they had each been featured on tracks by each other...
with Redman and another protege Keith Murray
Keith Murray (rapper)
Keith Murray is an American rapper and a member of the rap trio Def Squad, which includes fellow rappers Redman and Erick Sermon.-Music career:...
. Smith continued to mention the name "Hit Squad" on his subsequent solo albums and on EPMD's reunion albums, but it remained unclear who the members the new Squad were. Smith appeared alongside rap unknowns Blast, Poogi and L The Pro on the classic 1997 Tony Touch
Tony Touch
Tony Touch is an American hip hop break dancer, rapper, DJ, producer and actor of Puerto Rican descent.Tony Touch began as a B-boy during the rap music renaissance era of the early 1980s...
mixtape
Mixtape
A Mix Tape or Mixed Tape is a compilation of songs recorded in a specific order, traditionally onto an audio Compact Cassette.A Mix Tape, which usually reflects the musical tastes of its compiler, can range from a casually selected list of favorite songs, to a conceptual mix of songs linked by a...
Power Cypha 2, credited as "PMD & The Hit Squad". In 2004, Smith released an album titled Hit Squad: Zero Tolerance using previously unreleased verses by the original members combined with his latest new artists.
As of the 2006 EPMD reunion, most of the former Hit Squad members also reunited along with Def Squad rapper Keith Murray. A new album for the Hit Squad/Def Squad is planned.