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.
I'm Housin'
EPMD Lyrics
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A brother got ill and tried to snatch a fat cable
I stepped back, like it wasn't no thing
Punched him in the jaw with the fat gold ring
I had an ace in the hole when it came to that
(Yo P you was packing?) You know I'm strapped
Posse kept rolling it was hard to get with em
So I stepped back, and unbuttoned my Lee denim
So I stepped back, and started spraying niggas
What a way to go out, out like a sucker
But I'm on track, like a Long Island train
That can head your mission, suckers who be dissing
Always on my jock like a snake always hissing
Grabbing and tapping me like Luther Vandross
Take me to the bar for the drink and make a toast
Giving best wishes to the best MC
The E the D-O-U-B-L-E
Because I'm housing
Cooling at a party, no better yet disco
Head feeling mellow from a bottle of Cisco
Move
To crush and fry a sucker MC like Crisco
Every chance I get, I try to kill
That's one less sucker new jack, who tried to act ill
I keep the place jumping til the party's through
Whether it's disco, hardcore, or rhythm and blues
Take off your coat, won't you stay a while
Check out the voice that is smooth and mild
It's like Wheel of Fortune, go on for big money
Come cold rock the party, and leave wit ya honey
Gimme the cue, check one two
Don't try to come off on me, because you doo-doo
Treating me the E Doubl-E, like a stepchild
Well let me tell you homeboy you're living foul
MC's, you know who you are
(On the bandwagon) Why P? (Cause you a star)
This is the year that when the joker's are wild
When a fag can't hack it and try to bite the style
I get hip to the scheme, before it happens
If it gets wild, then I start capping
But for now, since everything's calm
Relate to the matter as I drop the bomb
As I proceed to rock, the girls are clocking
Some brothers act hard but the rest are jocking
Because I'm housing
I come on strong, like a bodybuilder
Cast a spell upon a sucker, like witch Matilda
Deliver a rhyme like Federal Express
My intention's not to dis, but impress
For the ladies and gents, the money was spent
To see the E-P-Double-E-M-D (yes the main event)
In concert, not worried bout oos n boos (because we do work)
To make your body jerk
(To make your girl want to leave her man and start to flirt
With the P) Double-E MD Double E'n
I'm not skeezing, but pleasing
All party goers, also behind show-ers
Who like the not, fast slow flow of rhymes that form in my dome
Out the mouth, to the microphone
Because I'm housing
In the song “I’m Housin’” by EPMD, the lyrics describe a situation in which the singer punches a man who tried to steal a fat cable from him. Despite the altercation, the singer is confident in his ability to handle himself in similar circumstances due to his preparedness and toughness. The lyrics also detail the singer’s prowess as a rapper and his ability to impress both men and women with his music. The repetition of the phrase “I’m housing” throughout the song serves as a reminder of the singer’s dominance both in terms of physical strength and in the rap game.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was featured on the soundtrack of the popular video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Additionally, the sample used in the song’s beat is from the jazz-funk classic “It’s Your Thing” by The Isley Brothers. The song’s title is a play on the phrase “I’m hustlin’,” which was popular in rap circles at the time. In the video for the song, the duo is shown driving a Jeep CJ-7 sport utility vehicle. The song was part of EPMD’s debut album, “Strictly Business,” which was released in 1988. The album was a hit both critically and commercially, and it helped to establish EPMD as one of the leading rap groups of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Another interesting fact about the song is that it was produced by Erick Sermon, who was one half of EPMD. The other member of the group was Parrish Smith. Sermon also produced many of the group’s other hits, including “You Gots to Chill” and “Strictly Business.” The song’s beat is notable for its heavy use of bass and drums, which were signature elements of EPMD’s sound. The lyrics of the song have been praised for their clever wordplay and the way they demonstrate the singer’s confidence and bravado. Overall, “I’m Housin’” is considered one of EPMD’s most iconic songs and a classic of golden age hip-hop.
Chords: unknown
Line by Line Meaning
Cooling on the scene like a horse in a stable
I'm casually standing around at the party like a horse in its stable.
A brother got ill and tried to snatch a fat cable
Someone got in trouble and tried to steal something valuable.
I stepped back, like it wasn't no thing
I calmly stepped back like it was not a big deal.
Punched him in the jaw with the fat gold ring
I punched him in the face with my big gold ring.
I had an ace in the hole when it came to that
I had a secret weapon when it came to that situation.
(Yo P you was packing?) You know I'm strapped
(Did you have a gun?) Yes, I am carrying a weapon.
Posse kept rolling it was hard to get with em
My group kept moving and it was difficult to catch up with them.
So I stepped back, and unbuttoned my Lee denim
So I backed away and unbuttoned my Lee jeans.
They kept coming, just like I figured
They continued to approach me, just as I anticipated.
So I stepped back, and started spraying niggas
So I backed away and started shooting people.
What a way to go out, out like a sucker
What a terrible way to go out, looking foolish.
But I'm on track, like a Long Island train
I'm on the right path, like a train in Long Island.
That can head your mission, suckers who be dissing
This can destroy your goals, people who are talking negatively.
Always on my jock like a snake always hissing
Always in my business and talking bad like a hissing snake.
Grabbing and tapping me like Luther Vandross
Touching and bothering me like how Luther Vandross sings.
Take me to the bar for the drink and make a toast
Take me to the bar to buy me a drink and make a celebratory speech.
Giving best wishes to the best MC
Wishing the best for the best MC.
The E the D-O-U-B-L-E
Referring to EPMD using their initials.
Because I'm housing
This is happening because I am dominating or winning.
Cooling at a party, no better yet disco
Chilling at a party or disco.
Head feeling mellow from a bottle of Cisco
Feeling relaxed or tipsy from drinking Cisco liquor.
Move To crush and fry a sucker MC like Crisco
Ready to attack and defeat a bad MC in a battle, like cooking oil.
Every chance I get, I try to kill
Whenever I have the opportunity, I try to win or succeed.
That's one less sucker new jack, who tried to act ill
That's one less person who thought they could succeed, but failed miserably.
I keep the place jumping til the party's through
I keep the party going and lively until the end.
Whether it's disco, hardcore, or rhythm and blues
Regardless of the type of music, whether it's fast or slow.
Take off your coat, won't you stay a while
Get comfortable and stay for a while.
Check out the voice that is smooth and mild
Listen to my smooth and soothing voice.
It's like Wheel of Fortune, go on for big money
This is like a TV game show where winning is important.
Come cold rock the party, and leave wit ya honey
Come and perform well and leave with someone special.
Gimme the cue, check one two
Give me the signal, check the sound system.
Don't try to come off on me, because you doo-doo
Don't try to act tough with me, because you are inferior.
Treating me the E Doubl-E, like a stepchild
Treating me poorly and without the respect I deserve.
Well let me tell you homeboy you're living foul
You're acting badly and disrespectfully.
MC's, you know who you are
Calling out to the MCs who are listening.
(On the bandwagon) Why P? (Cause you a star)
(Jumping on the success train) Why? (Because I am a star.)
This is the year that when the joker's are wild
This is the time when foolish people are everywhere.
When a fag can't hack it and try to bite the style
When a person tries to imitate me but fails miserably.
I get hip to the scheme, before it happens
I understand the plan or action before it occurs.
If it gets wild, then I start capping
If things get out of hand, then I start shooting.
But for now, since everything's calm
For the moment, everything is peaceful and quiet.
Relate to the matter as I drop the bomb
Pay attention as I expose the truth.
As I proceed to rock, the girls are clocking
As I start rapping and performing, the girls are watching me.
Some brothers act hard but the rest are jocking
Some guys try to act tough, but most are following or admiring me.
Because I'm housing
I am succeeding or winning, that's why.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ERICK S SERMON, PARRISH JOSEFF SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind