On this day in Hip-Hop history, legendary Long Island duo EPMD released their sophomore album Unfinished Business, the follow-up to their critically acclaimed debut Strictly Business. Released in 1989, the album was certified gold by the RIAA and firmly cemented Erick Sermon and PMD as one of the East Coast’s most influential rap groups.
While Unfinished Business claimed the No. 1 spot on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, its impact went far beyond chart placement. At a time when New York Hip-Hop was dominated by conscious, boom-bap lyricism, EPMD stood out with a fresh approach rooted in braggadocio rhymes, funky loops, and laid-back swagger. Their style not only cut through the era’s sonic landscape but helped influence the flash and fly talk of future NYC crews like The Diplomats, A$AP Mob, and even early Jay-Z.
Anchored by the standout single “So What Cha Sayin’,” which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Top Rap chart, Unfinished Business delivered a gritty yet smooth blend of funk samples and streetwise flows that aged like fine wine. From production to punchlines, it was a blueprint for rappers who wanted to talk slick and still move the crowd.
EPMD’s legacy was already in motion, but this album proved they weren’t a one-album wonder—they were building an empire of funk-fueled Hip-Hop that still resonates with true heads today.