The group's name is an acronym for "Erick and Parrish Making Dollars", referencing its members: rappers Erick Sermon ("E Double") and Parrish Smith ("PMD"). Diamond J, DJ K La Boss, and later DJ Scratch were DJs for the group.
The duo split by January of 1993, under controversial circumstances. According to interviews in The Source and Rap Pages, in late 1991, Smith’s house was burgled by armed intruders. According to Smith, in the ensuing police investigation, one of the apprehended culprits supposedly gave up Sermon’s name as having allegedly paid them to do it. Sermon was arrested and briefly detained for questioning, but no charges were filed.
Hardcore
EPMD Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hardcore to make the brothers act fools [Repeat: x4]
[PMD]
When I turn a party out all hands is in the air
Some say it's chill New York throw chairs
The punk funk sound to make a sane man flip
Girls rush the stage fagots cold dip
By the gang bangers at the B-boy shows
Wit the cops trying to control the crowd
But they can't systems crank "So What ya Saying"'s pumping loud
Blows are thrown, heads are flown like Pan Am
Brothers licking off like the son of Sam and
The bass continues to thump
Some brothers hit the parking lot to go pop trunks
Hoes are slapped, jewels are snatched
Brothers are caught in the cross fire without no caps
And on my way out, I heard a sucker scream and shout
"Niggas, Niggas", yea, cold turn the party out
[Chorus]
[E Double]
Rap combat squares sat and I attack
Any crab MC that's down wit the wack
And I wreck and if I can not snap a neck
Throw a knock, I'll blow and look for a tech
I'm terror, new edition to rap era
I can't be beat, I'm too sweet plus clever
I'm smart, yes, I'm a so called genius
I'm equip wit the thinking cap they call? (Keenison)
Yo, wit that, I can break fool
Especially when the posse is thick and got tools
Make me feel good 'cause they got steel
No blasters or cap guns son, the real deal
K-A, microphone wrecker E-D
The O, the you, the be, the L to the E
Rocking on, word is born, so abandon ship
My name is Erick Sermon now want some and I'll flip
I'm far from a chump, I'm hardcore like Brooklyn
Mess wit me and get your manhood token
[Chorus]
[Redman]
I got it going on, ?(sister muck)?, next to flex
You bet I drop heavy, so girls grab your coatex
I catch fits when I blitz a rhyme grit
And my lip gets to the point so rip some more fly shit
Redman ready to rock ruff rhymes
Renegade rapper, rip when it's rhyme time
Punk push a pin in ?(pilt)? so when I ?(pit)?
Pack pistol posse flow some more pro shit
Fe Fi Fo Fum funky to floor a
Fuck a freak, words before play
Quickly, quiet is kept, never quack
On a Q-Tip, I quote, I throw rhymes like a quarterback
A monster, murder motherfuckers like Manson
A madmen who mutilize men with 9mm
Bullets ?(brobab)? brother back to back I slam
Bread and butter, break beast to Bam Bam
Jump off the Jim before I jack my Johnson
I jam like Janet, chew MC's like Swanson
Get a stamp dummy, I'm digging a dungeon
Can you dig that I dig deep to destroy dumb dums
Yes, I yam what I yam when I jam, bro
My afro's in the house, yo, yo, yo
Known as I live large, life will be luxury
Ladies in Lamborghini's, love is like (lut) to me
Nasty nigga, competition is none
From Newark, New Jersey, knot hairs like Mike Nunn
Shit, rap is still when I'm stroking
Smoke wit shotguns but the sign said no smoking
Cool it kiddo, I control from sea to sea
Cut like Chuckie, plus style it top D
Super mad lover, cool from the new schoo;
Hold your breath, while I walk holding my jewels
[Chorus]
The lyrics to EPMD's song Hardcore depict the chaos and violence that can ensue at a hardcore hip-hop show. PMD describes how the intense punk funk sound draws a rowdy crowd, which ranges from girls rushing the stage to gang bangers trying to control the show. He details how even the cops can't control the crowd and how blows are thrown, heads are flown and people get caught in the cross-fire. The lyrics paint a dangerous and unpredictable picture of this particular hip-hop scene. E Double adds to the ferocity when he raps about being a new edition to the rap era who can't be beat. He describes himself as too sweet and clever with a thinking cap, which he uses to break fools when his posse is thick and got tools. Finally, Redman staunchly asserts his own supremacy on the mic. He raps about being a renegade rapper who murders motherfuckers like Manson, and quotes himself as a monster who mutilizes men with 9mm bullets. Overall, the lyrics capture the energy and danger of underground hardcore hip-hop.
Line by Line Meaning
Hardcore to make the brothers act fools
The music is the kind that gets everyone wild
When I turn a party out all hands is in the air
The singer can make everyone dance to the music he plays
Some say it's chill New York throw chairs
The music is so good that people get excited, and sometimes even violent
The punk funk sound to make a sane man flip
The combination of punk and funk music is so powerful that even rational people could lose control
Girls rush the stage fagots cold dip
Women are attracted to the performer, while homophobic men back away
Low to avoid the caps and blows
Some people try to stay out of the way to avoid getting hit by weapons or fists
By the gang bangers at the B-boy shows
Violent gang members attend breakdance events
Wit the cops trying to control the crowd
Police are present to maintain order
But they can't systems crank "So What ya Saying's" pumping loud
The music is so loud that the police can't even hear themselves think
Blows are thrown heads are flown like Pan Am
Fights break out and people get hurt badly
Brothers licking off like the son of Sam and
People are getting shot and killed like they were by infamous serial killer David Berkowitz, who was nicknamed the Son of Sam
The bass continues to thump Some brothers hit the parking lot to go pop trunks
The beat is so strong that people who can't handle it leave the venue
Hoes are slapped jewels are snatched Brothers are caught in the crossfire without no caps
Women get assaulted and robbed, and bystanders are hurt or killed without any protection
And on my way out I heard a sucker scream and shout Niggas Niggas, yea, cold turn the party out
As the singer leaves the party, he hears someone calling out a racial slur, reflecting the violence and racism of that environment
Rap combat squares sat and I attack
The singer is ready to battle any rapper who dares to step up to him
Any crab MC that's down wit the wack
He will take down any mediocre rapper who supports weak music
And I wreck and if I can not snap a neck
The artist is so fierce that he aims to destroy his opponents entirely, and if he can't do that, he still delivers a harsh blow
Throw a knock I'll blow and look for a tech
If he has to fight, he's not afraid to use his fists and he's ready to retaliate with a gun if necessary
I'm terror new edition to rap era
The singer is a force to be reckoned with, and he's bringing something new to the rap genre
I can't be beat I'm too sweet plus clever
He's unbeatable, and he combines his skills with being charming and clever
I'm smart yes I'm a so called genius
The artist is intelligent and confident in his abilities
I'm equip wit the thinking cap they call? Keenison
He has a sharp mind and is always thinking ahead
Yo wit that I can break fool
Because of his wit and strategic mind, he can confuse and disorient his opponents
Especially when the posse is thick and got tools
He's not afraid to take on a group of people if they try to intimidate him
Make me feel good 'cause they got steel
He feels secure because his crew is armed and ready to defend him
No blasters or cap guns son the real deal
They are not carrying fake or toy guns; their weapons are authentic and dangerous
K-A microphone wrecker E-D
The singer and his crew are destroying the rap game with their skills
The O the you the be the L to the E
The artist spells his name with pride and confidence
Rocking on word is born so abandon ship
They are so good that any other rapper should just give up
My name is Erick Sermon now want some and I'll flip
The singer is introducing himself and warning anyone who thinks they can take him on.
I'm far from a chump I'm hardcore like Brooklyn
He's not weak or soft, he's as hard as they come
Mess wit me and get your manhood token
Anyone who tries to take him down will be humiliated and emasculated
I got it going on (sister muck) next to flex
The artist is doing well and gets a lot of attention from women
You bet I drop heavy so girls grab your coatex
He's confident that the ladies will be impressed with his rhymes and he encourages them to hang on tightly
I catch fits when I blitz a rhyme grit
He's energetic and passionate when he raps
And my lip gets to the point so rip some more fly shit
He's skilled at delivering sharp, clever rhymes
Redman ready to rock ruff rhymes
His style is tough and aggressive
Renegade rapper rip when it's rhyme time
He's a rebel who destroys anyone who tries to take him down
Punk push a pin in (pilt) so when I (pit)
He gets under his opponents' skin and catches them off guard
Pack pistol posse flow some more pro shit
He's associated with a group who carries guns and they continue to rap with high level skills
Fe Fi Fo Fum funky to floor a
He's taking over and dominating the rap game
Fuck a freak words before play
He cares more about delivering great rhymes than romantic relationships
Quickly quiet is kept never quack
He's a quick thinker and keeps his ideas to himself
On a Q-Tip I quote I throw rhymes like a quarterback
He's skilled at delivering sharp, precise rhymes like a football quarterback throws a pass
A monster murder motherfuckers like Manson
He's a killer on the mic, like serial killer Charles Manson
A madmen who mutilize men with 9mm
He's dangerous and will hurt anyone who tries to harm him
Bullets (brobab) brother back to back I slam
He's firing off rhymes like an automatic weapon
Bread and butter break beast to Bam Bam
He's good at what he does and always succeeds
Jump off the Jim before I jack my Johnson
He's ending his verse with a humorous threat to leave the mic before he embarrasses himself
I jam like Janet chew MC's like Swanson
He's a music icon like Janet Jackson, and he consumes other rappers like Swanson TV dinners
Get a stamp dummy I'm digging a dungeon
He's creating his own path to success and doesn't need anyone else's approval
Can you dig that I dig deep to destroy dumb dums
He's going after those who underestimate him and will fight until he proves them wrong
Yes I yam what I yam when I jam bro
He's confident in his abilities when he performs
My afro's in the house yo yo yo
He's proud of his hair and his blackness, which he's bringing to the rap genre
Known as I live large life will be luxury
He expects to succeed and live a lavish lifestyle
Ladies in Lamborghini's love is like (lut) to me
He loves attention from women and fast cars
Nasty nigga competition is none
He's not afraid of anyone and believes he's the best
From Newark New Jersey knot hairs like Mike Nunn
He's from a tough area and won't back down from anyone, even someone with a tough reputation like boxer Mike Nunn
Shit rap is still when I'm stroking
He's so good that he makes other rappers look weak and amateurish
Smoke wit shotguns but the sign said no smoking
He's breaking the rules and smoking in a non-smoking area, flaunting his rebellious nature
Cool it kiddo I control from sea to sea
He's telling his opponents to calm down and recognize his power and influence from coast to coast
Cut like Chuckie plus style it top D
He's sharp and has a unique style that sets him apart from other rappers
Super mad lover cool from the new schoo
He's an expert at what he does and is part of a new wave of successful rappers
Hold your breath while I walk holding my jewels
He's powerful and confident, holding his manhood like a badge of honor.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., AUSTINTATIOUS TUNES, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: ERICK S SERMON, PARRISH JOSEFF SMITH, ROY ROOSEVELT BONNER LE, GEORGE CLINTON, MARSHALL EUGENE JONES, RALPH MIDDLEBROOKS, WALTER MORRISON, NORMAN BRUCE NAPIER, ANDREW NOLAND, MARVIN PIERCE, GARRY MARSHALL SHIDER, GREGORY ALLEN WEBSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Charveda cantley
Redman's verse is an ALL-TIME HIP-HOP QUOTABLE!!!
Alan Duff
At THAT time there was NO better spitter on the planet than Redman..
Dante' Green
Everyone was asking...WHO IS THAT DUDE REDMAN!
Ronnie Shepherd
My boy REDMAN killed this joint! He flipped more alphabets than Vanna White on his verse. He has been my favorite ever since I first heard this back in 1990.
Shoogafoot
Redman's verse on this is STILL bananas!!!!
Richard Tharpe Junior
Shoogafoot I'm tellin' u,Homie!This is when I began 2 bump that Redman!👍👍
DNICE41
Chills!!!!
Thatguysmiley
Lyrical perfection
Thatguysmiley
@Richard Tharpe Junior No doubt!
Ramon Butler
Brick city stand up!