An art-funk ensemble from the South Bronx in New York, ESG was formed by four sisters: Deborah Scroggins (bass, vocals), Maria Scroggins (congas, vocals), Renee Scroggins (guitar, vocals), Valerie Scroggins (drums), and friend Leroy Glover (bass).

ESG have been influential in a wide range of musical genres, including hip hop, post punk, disco, and dance-punk. Their music is centered around the sisters' complex polyrhythms, with atmosphere supplied by bass and pop-flavored guitar. During their first incarnation, the group signed with 99 Records and issued a debut self-titled EP in 1981 that featured three live and three studio songs, the latter produced by the legendary Martin Hannett (Joy Division, etc.). 1982's "ESG Says Dance to the Beat of the Moody EP" continued in a similar vein, as did their first full-length album, 1983's Come Away With ESG. ESG disbanded shortly thereafter, but unexpectedly re-formed in the early '90s, heralding their comeback with a self-titled 1991 compilation of previously released material. The group's work had become popular among hip-hop artists searching for samples, with such acts as TLC, the Wu-Tang Clan, the Beastie Boys, Big Daddy Kane, and indie rockers like Unrest and Liars all making use of ESG beats; the group addressed this issue on the 1992 12" EP Sample Credits Don't Pay Our Bills. ESG Live! appeared in 1995, featuring both old and new material.

The track UFO is one of the most used samples in hip hop, with a distinctive processed feedback sound that stands apart from most of the rest of their work and probably owes more to Martin Hannett's processing heavy production than to ESG. Hannett produced this while in New York and New Jersey recording A Certain Ratio for Factory Records.