PMD
Hip-Hop · US · Active since 1968

PMD

Heavyweight baritone flows over dusty funk loops and neck-snapping drums. Rugged, no-nonsense East Coast hip-hop for late nights and focused energy.

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Intro

Parrish Smith, known as PMD, is a foundational figure in East Coast hip-hop, primarily recognized as one-half of the legendary duo EPMD. His solo career, launched in the early 1990s, solidified his reputation as a purveyor of 'hardcore' boom bap.

PMD's sound identity is built on a foundation of heavy funk sampling (notably Zapp and Parliament) paired with a distinctive, monotone baritone delivery that influenced generations of 'tough' rappers. As a leader of the Hit Squad, he played a pivotal role in the careers of Redman and Das EFX, fostering a collective aesthetic of ruggedness and lyrical dexterity. Critical consensus views PMD as a guardian of the traditional East Coast sound, particularly during the mid-90s transition toward glossier production. His work is essential for collectors of the 'Golden Era,' representing the bridge between 80s groove-heavy rap and the grittier, street-centric narratives of the late 90s.

Our Catalog6 Albums · 1994 · 2017
The Calm Before The Storm
The Calm Before The Storm
2017
Business Mentality
Business Mentality
2017
New Business
New Business
2013
The Awakening
The Awakening
2003
Bu$ine$$ I$ Bu$ine$$
Bu$ine$$ I$ Bu$ine$$
1996
Shadē Business
Shadē Business
1994
The Sound · Center of GravityWeighted across the artist's discography. Tap a trait for examples.
Adjacent Artists
M
Miilkbone

Shares boom bap, conscious hip-hop (subgenres); sample_based, lo_fi, analog_warmth (production style)

TK
THS Klika

Shares boom bap, conscious hip-hop (subgenres); sample_based, lo_fi, analog_warmth (production style)

KS
King Syze

Shares boom bap, conscious hip-hop (subgenres); sample_based, lo_fi, analog_warmth (production style)

A
A.G.

Shares boom bap, conscious hip-hop (subgenres); sample_based, lo_fi, analog_warmth (production style)

Shellerini
Shellerini

Shares boom bap, conscious hip-hop (subgenres); sample_based, lo_fi, analog_warmth (production style)

MW
Mor W.A.

Shares boom bap, conscious hip-hop (subgenres); sample_based, lo_fi, analog_warmth (production style)

Violadores del Verso
Violadores del Verso

Shares sample_based, lo_fi, analog_warmth (production style); confident, brooding, defiant (moods)

BC
Bez Cenzury

Shares boom bap, conscious hip-hop (subgenres); sample_based, lo_fi, analog_warmth (production style)

PB
Pitch Black

Shares confident, brooding, defiant (moods); sample_based, lo_fi, analog_warmth (production style)

Big Daddy Kane
Big Daddy Kane

Shares boom bap, conscious hip-hop (subgenres); sample_based, lo_fi, analog_warmth (production style)

M
Miilkbone

Shares boom bap, conscious hip-hop, sample_based, turntables (signature)

P
Pacewon

Shares boom bap, baritone, conscious hip-hop, sample_based (signature)

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