Discovering EPMD's Influence and Rivalry

The discussion highlights the significant influence of EPMD on the hip-hop landscape and the rivalry between EPMD and Eric B. and Rakim. Eric Sermon's insights reveal how EPMD, alongside other acts like Das FX, radically changed the lyrical style in hip-hop during the early 90s, introducing a new wave of complex rhyming. The competitive scene is brought to life through anecdotes from rap contests where talent was both recognized and overshadowed by larger acts, emphasizing the scrappy roots of many artists. The conversation underscores the respect for EPMD's pioneering contributions and reveals how their style inspired a generation, yet often remained unacknowledged in discussions of hip-hop evolution.