High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Strictly Business is the debut album by golden age hip-hop duo EPMD. It was released on August 30, 1988, by Fresh/Sleeping Bag Records around the world and BCM Records in Germany. It peaked at No. 80 on the Billboard 200 soon after release, yet it earned an RIAA gold album certification within four months of its release. In addition, it has received much positive critical attention since its release.