Symphony
EPMD Lyrics


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[Parrish Smith]
Huh, Erick Sermon, EPMD, check it, M.O.P.
Erick and Parrish Millennium Ducats
Hold me down, hold me down

[PMD]
Yea
Erick Sermon
EPMD
Check it

[E-Dub]
Redman
Method Man
Lady Luck
Def Jam

[PMD]
Erick and Parrish Millennium Ducats
Hold me down, hold me down

Yo!
I grab the mic and grip it hard like it's my last time to shine
I want the chrome and the cream so I put it down for mine
Ill cat, slick talk, slang New York
To break it down to straight English, what the fuck you want?
Remember me? You punk fagot crab emcee
Get your shit broke in half for fucking around with P
Hey yo strike two, my style Brooklyn like the Zoo
Hey you, look nigga, one more strike you through
Word is bi-dond, rock Esco, FUBU, and Phat Fi-darm
Every time I get my spit on, no doubt, I spark the gridiron
I step up and bless the track and spit a jewel
We keeps cool, no need for static, I strap tools

[Chorus]
Next up!
Yo I believe that's me
Yo, get on the mic and rock the Symphony

[Erick Sermon]
Yo P!
Time to rock, the sound I got, it reigns hot
Making necks snap back, like a slingshot
E hustle, and muscle my way in
Then tussle for days in, on my own with guns blazing
Not for the fun of it, just for those who want me to run it
Then leave them like, who done it?
Sucker duck, I do what I feel right now
When I spit the illest shit, cats be like, "Wow!"
YO! I get looks when I'm in the place
That's that nigga, making you Smile with Scarface
It Ain't My Fault, that my style Silkk enough to Shock ya
Hit you with the fifth, block-a block-a
If I get caught you can bet I'll blow trial
Be Downtown Swinging, M.O.P. style

[Chorus]

[Billy Danze]
Say hello to the devil Danze'll kick
Whenever tragic hit, It's (E)(MO-PMD) blasting shit
Put in work in this cold game
Soldier I use work as code name
Told ya, line em up its Soul Train
(B-r-r-r-r-r-ra!) And I give em the whole thing
My family has been trained, to swat em if they blast it
Hit em and make em do a gimme back flip (bad shit)
I'm donating a casket
We have raised hell in midtown and gunned down in traffic
(Tell em what you saying) Get the bozac
Before I tear your maggot ass flat (BOOM BOOM) They're back

[Chorus]

[Lil' Fame]
For gettin the real, straight from B'Ville
Motherfuckers don't like Fame cause I'm not cream filled
I feel what I speak so I speak what I feel
Sleep and I will, reap and I kill
Motherfuck (who know) jump out a HUGO
Open up your back with a mac, uno uno
Ghettoville nigga, I break all laws
Drink brews, curse out bitches, and piss on walls
This rap game is a street game now, the game switched
Rappers are getting killed now with the same shit
I ain't no motherfucking role model, kids don't follow
Cause I'ma hit this bitch full throttle
The type to RAISE UP 5-0 in your lobby
Rap is my religion, yeah, biting is a hobby




Show love when you meet us, its love when you greet us
Or the first family will come kill you with the heaters

Overall Meaning

The song "Symphony" by EPMD featuring M.O.P., Redman, Method Man, and Lady Luck is a classic example of East Coast hip-hop, with its hard-hitting beats, slick rhymes, and braggadocious lyrics. The song begins with Parrish Smith and Eric Sermon paying homage to their own legacy, as EPMD, before being joined by a roster of other notable rappers. The verses are built on metaphors, wordplay, and internal rhyming, as each artist displays their skills and style.


The first verse by Parrish Smith is a brag-heavy ode to the East Coast, highlighting his smooth delivery and lyrical genius. He calls out his detractors while promising to make them pay and gives a shoutout to his roots in Brooklyn. The chorus "Yo, I believe that's me, Yo, get on the mic and rock the Symphony" sets the stage for each artist to showcase their talents. Eric Sermon's verse is similar to Smith's, boasting of his immense talent and his ability to make anyone listen to his music. He shows off his clever wordplay and cutting-edge flow, which was ahead of its time.


The next two verses, by M.O.P.'s Billy Danze and Lil' Fame, contain much more aggression and violence, describing how they are willing to take on anybody who tries to mess with them. They detail their willingness to do whatever it takes to win: including guns and violence. Lil' Fame's verse describes his disdain for the commercialization of rap music and how true hip-hop is about expressing yourself and staying true to your roots. The song ends with Eric Sermon and Parrish Smith trading bars, showcasing their chemistry and the longevity of their partnership.


Overall, "Symphony" is an excellent representation of East Coast rap, full of aggressive rhymes, complex themes, and clever wordplay. It shows how the genre had grown and evolved, highlighting the lyrical prowess and musical innovation of its major players.


Line by Line Meaning

Huh, Erick Sermon, EPMD, check it, M.O.P.
Introducing the performers of the song, EPMD and featuring M.O.P.


Erick and Parrish Millennium Ducats Hold me down, hold me down
EPMD is here to stay, ready to rule the music industry


Yo! I grab the mic and grip it hard like it's my last time to shine I want the chrome and the cream so I put it down for mine Ill cat, slick talk, slang New York To break it down to straight English, what the fuck you want?
Asserting his style, the artist is taking control of the mic, and aims to make a statement by rapping in his unique New York style.


Remember me? You punk fagot crab emcee Get your shit broke in half for fucking around with P Hey yo strike two, my style Brooklyn like the Zoo Hey you, look nigga, one more strike you through Word is bi-dond, rock Esco, FUBU, and Phat Fi-darm Every time I get my spit on, no doubt, I spark the gridiron I step up and bless the track and spit a jewel We keeps cool, no need for static, I strap tools
The artist is daring his opponents, warning them not to mess with him or they will face the consequences of messing around with a lyrical powerhouse.


Next up! Yo I believe that's me Yo, get on the mic and rock the Symphony
Announcing the next artist set to perform, urging him to step up to the mic and own the stage.


Yo P! Time to rock, the sound I got, it reigns hot Making necks snap back, like a slingshot E hustle, and muscle my way in Then tussle for days in, on my own with guns blazing Not for the fun of it, just for those who want me to run it Then leave them like, who done it?
The artist is bringing his own fire to the stage, taking over with his hot sound that is guaranteed to set the party on fire. He's not playing around and is ready to take on anyone who wants to challenge him.


Sucker duck, I do what I feel right now When I spit the illest shit, cats be like, "Wow!" YO! I get looks when I'm in the place That's that nigga, making you Smile with Scarface It Ain't My Fault, that my style Silkk enough to Shock ya Hit you with the fifth, block-a block-a If I get caught you can bet I'll blow trial Be Downtown Swinging, M.O.P. style
The artist is confident in his skills and raps with ease, attracting attention from everyone when he hits the stage. He's not afraid of anyone, and is ready to face the consequences of his actions, delivering his own signature style.


Say hello to the devil Danze'll kick Whenever tragic hit, It's (E)(MO-PMD) blasting shit Put in work in this cold game Soldier I use work as code name Told ya, line em up its Soul Train (B-r-r-r-r-r-ra!) And I give em the whole thing My family has been trained, to swat em if they blast it Hit em and make em do a gimme back flip (bad shit) I'm donating a casket We have raised hell in midtown and gunned down in traffic (Tell em what you saying) Get the bozac Before I tear your maggot ass flat (BOOM BOOM) They're back
The artist is not to be tampered with, and is ready to make his move whenever he needs to. He is part of a tight-knit group, ready to put in work when needed, mercilessly taking out their opponents.


For gettin the real, straight from B'Ville Motherfuckers don't like Fame cause I'm not cream filled I feel what I speak so I speak what I feel Sleep and I will, reap and I kill Motherfuck (who know) jump out a HUGO Open up your back with a mac, uno uno Ghettoville nigga, I break all laws Drink brews, curse out bitches, and piss on walls This rap game is a street game now, the game switched Rappers are getting killed now with the same shit I ain't no motherfucking role model, kids don't follow Cause I'ma hit this bitch full throttle The type to RAISE UP 5-0 in your lobby Rap is my religion, yeah, biting is a hobby Show love when you meet us, its love when you greet us Or the first family will come kill you with the heaters
The artist is real and not sugar-coated, unapologetic about his raw, gritty style, and brutally honest lyrics. He enjoys being bad and isn't afraid to adapt to the changing rap game to keep up with his peers. Looking up to him as a role model is ill-advised, but showing love and respect is the best way to stay on his good side.


[Chorus]
The chorus is repeated throughout the song, serving as a call to action for the next artist set to rock the mic.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CLIFFORD SMITH, FRANK PAUL UCIECHOWSKI JR., CHIAN CONEY, ANTHONY JARROD MESSADO, PATRICK E. CHARLES, JERYL GRANT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@anthonygreen4600

21 years later and this is still better than 100%:of today's music

@boynatey44

listening to the wrong music

@divulgewithchip1099

Youngboy, Pooh shiesty, money man

@northldn3236

Every generation literally says the same thing, shut up

@lambertbrown1739

@[LOTTA CHIPS] they’re mumble rappers

@blackcatlady2172

@Lambert Brown Agreed. Sounding like your jaw is wired shut has never sounded good.

42 More Replies...

@jonblack7606

This is why I'll NEVER stop going back to this era 💯💯💯🔥🔥🔥

@joegrinefine

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

@clarencejulien8419

One of the sickest beats on a rap track. Straight opera over a baseline. Long live the squad.

@desmondwilliams4068

as much as I love this track, I still prefer the M.O.P. remix. ......

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