Sermon is best known as one half of the late-1980s/1990s hip-hop group EPMD. He began recording solo albums for Def Jam in 1993.
In 1997, he rejoined EPMD. The following year, Sermon, Keith Murray and Redman recorded a cover version of "Rapper's Delight" by The Sugarhill Gang, the first hit hip-hop record. EPMD disbanded a second time in 1998. In 2000, Sermon moved over to J Records, and released the album Music the following year. The title track (a Top 40 pop hit that also made it to #2 on the R&B music charts), featured guest vocals from late soul music legend Marvin Gaye, culled from unreleased recordings which Sermon reportedly found in a small record shop in London. React was released in 2002.
In 2003, J Records dropped Erick Sermon due to poor record sales. However, he still went on to establish his Def Squad imprint with Motown Records. At this time, he recorded an album, Chilltown, N.Y., which was released a year later in 2004. The album was powered by the single "Feel It" (which contained a sample of Reggae/R&B Singer Sean Paul), a song which became a moderate success in the United States. In an interview, he stated that he was going to step aside and try to get upcoming artists in the spotlight.
However, Sermon hasn't stopped doing music altogether, as he has produced the song "Goldmine" on Busta Rhymes' album, The Big Bang in 2006. Very soon after, Sermon recorded "Don't Make No Sense" with Def Squad.
Sermon joined up again for a special EPMD worldwide tour in 2006, were he was being held company by Keith Murray among others.
Battle
Erick Sermon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[LL Cool J: sample repeated] "Battle anybody, I don't care.."
[Erick Sermon]
Yo, aiyyo it's crunchtime, time for action, time in
I explain time after time, time and time again
Time's up, Def Squad called time out
Dramatics, they act in classes, act what
Actin like suckers raw, act enough to get they ass whipped
Ask for the acts and ask for the axe
They get as actors, Beams, Navs, and Ac's
Still navigatin rap cats, attack on tracks
To flow til I fall off the atlas map
(And stomp a cat) til they frame mats to mat
Not my bloodtype, DNA mismatch
(Aiy-yo) Where there's a will there's a way
(Tell 'em Green) But you will get wheeled away
All is said and done, you're dumb, just dumb
Bust dum-dums at kingdom, take they free-dom
He's done, E done did it
Easy go, easy come when E come widdit
Come witness, dis +Strictly+
+Unfinished+ +As Usual+ +Never Personal+ +Business+
[Chorus]
Y'all don't really wanna fuck with that (Hell no!)
It's not where your head is at (Hell no!)
Y'all don't really wanna fuck with that (Hell no!)
It's not where your head is at (Hell no!)
I will.. "Battle anybody, I don't care.."
E will.. "Battle anybody, I don't care.."
Sy will.. "Battle anybody, I don't care.."
We will.. "Battle anybody, I don't care.."
[Sy Scott]
Yo, yo, yo
Yo sticks and stones break bones but glocks'll kill you
Revolvers could pop you but automatics'll drill you
I spit lyrics up til they spill through with blue mold and mildew
Enough to clean these preachers to the fifth pew
The shit stink like pee-yew, G2-D2
Versus R2-D2, please move peaceful
Bulbasar smash the Pokemon powers of Pikachu
Faced against Yui Oshamitsu
I speak in two's like I had two faces
Get deeper than Tomb Raiders, open and shut case
Like suitcases, Dark Forces couldn't take it
If you had NATO backed by Duke Nukem with two lasers
My true nature bite you and your face out
Leave you on the ground pointin finks out
Scatterin towards your safehouse, the illest nigga that's out
I brainstorm til the whole rap game get rained out
Don't make me get a hat and start pullin names out
Change the outfit, get the thang out
Make you wish you never came out, get laid out, without an 8-count
Get up, get out, and stop tryin to play house
[Chorus]
[Erick Sermon]
Yo, don't exchange with E in exhibition, I'm a expert
Feelin the overexhausted from the leg work
Write hate mail through e-mail
Talk on my cell, my cell charged like D-cells
I hate the flows MC's they use these days
It's overused, used too much these days
E explain, X mark the spot, I rock the spot
E-Dub the name, and that's Sy Scott
[Sy Scott]
Who wanna battle? The beat beat badly in battle
In battle I paddle like world-class battlers
In the heat of battle, true MC not abbreviation
Bout to bring cold war to radio stations
I'm Master Tsin, the excellent Master Chen
Spit like I got two mouths connected to an extra chin
My foreign is forum
Embryo MC get brain aborted before they born and made organs
[Chorus]
The song "Battle" by Erick Sermon featuring Sy Scott talks about the concept of battle and competition in the hip-hop world. The lyrics express a mindset of being prepared and willing to face any challenge that may come their way. Sermon sets the tone with the lines "Yo, aiyyo it's crunchtime, time for action, time in / I explain time after time, time and time again" which gives a sense of urgency and repetition. The chorus echoes LL Cool J's famous line "Battle anybody, I don't care" which asserts the bravado of the rappers and reaffirms their willingness to engage in any kind of battle. The song features a call and response between Sermon and Sy Scott showcasing their lyrical abilities and a competitive spirit.
Throughout the verses, both rappers employ various literary devices such as metaphors, similes, and allusions to illustrate their lyrical prowess. Scott refers to his flow as "deep like Tomb Raiders" and boasts about his ability to "scatter towards your safehouse." Sermon uses wordplay like "they act enough to get their ass whipped" to explain how some rappers are not genuine, while also playing with the phrase "axe for the acts." He further explains that he hates the flows MC's use these days because "It's overused, used too much these days."
Overall, "Battle" by Erick Sermon featuring Sy Scott is a song that portrays the competitive nature of the hip-hop industry. The lyrics demonstrate a fierce determination to succeed and represents the importance of staying true to one's artistry despite the changing trends.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, aiyyo it's crunchtime, time for action, time in
It's time to get serious and take action.
I explain time after time, time and time again
I've explained this many times before.
Time's up, Def Squad called time out
We're running out of time and need to regroup.
Can't hold back the shit, so I flip myself aside out
I can't hold back anymore and I'm going all out.
Dramatics, they act in classes, act what
People act a certain way and stick to it.
Actin like suckers raw, act enough to get they ass whipped
Acting foolish can lead to getting beat up.
Ask for the acts and ask for the axe
People who act foolishly often ask for trouble.
They get as actors, Beams, Navs, and Ac's
These people are only playing a part in their own downfall.
Still navigatin rap cats, attack on tracks
I'm still making music and attacking other rappers.
To flow til I fall off the atlas map
I'll keep rapping until I can't anymore.
(And stomp a cat) til they frame mats to mat
I'll beat someone up so badly they'll have to be carried out on a stretcher.
Not my bloodtype, DNA mismatch
I'm different from those who try to challenge me.
(Aiy-yo) Where there's a will there's a way
If you want something badly enough, you'll find a way to get it.
(Tell 'em Green) But you will get wheeled away
If you try to challenge me, you'll have to be carried away on a stretcher.
All is said and done, you're dumb, just dumb
People who challenge me are foolish.
Bust dum-dums at kingdom, take they free-dom
I'll defeat them so badly they'll lose all their freedom.
He's done, E done did it
I've beaten someone so badly they're done for.
Easy go, easy come when E come widdit
I make things look easy when I go all out.
Come witness, dis +Strictly+
Come see me perform at my best.
+Unfinished+ +As Usual+ +Never Personal+ +Business+
I'm always ready to do business and take on any challenge.
Y'all don't really wanna fuck with that (Hell no!)
You don't want to mess with us.
It's not where your head is at (Hell no!)
You're not ready for this.
I will.. "Battle anybody, I don't care.."
I'm willing to take on anyone who challenges me.
E will.. "Battle anybody, I don't care.."
I'm willing to take on anyone who challenges me.
Sy will.. "Battle anybody, I don't care.."
Sy is willing to take on anyone who challenges him.
We will.. "Battle anybody, I don't care.."
We are all willing to take on anyone who challenges us.
Yo sticks and stones break bones but glocks'll kill you
Physical objects can hurt you, but guns can kill you.
Revolvers could pop you but automatics'll drill you
Different types of guns can cause different types of damage.
I spit lyrics up til they spill through with blue mold and mildew
I'll keep rapping until everyone hears my message.
Enough to clean these preachers to the fifth pew
My rapping will clean up the church and reach everyone in the building.
The shit stink like pee-yew, G2-D2
My rapping is not always pleasant to listen to.
Versus R2-D2, please move peaceful
I would rather avoid conflict if possible.
Bulbasar smash the Pokemon powers of Pikachu
I'm like a powerful Pokemon, capable of overcoming my opponents.
Faced against Yui Oshamitsu
I'm ready to take on any opponent.
I speak in two's like I had two faces
I have a lot to say and I'm not afraid to say it.
Get deeper than Tomb Raiders, open and shut case
I go deep and get to the root of the problem.
Like suitcases, Dark Forces couldn't take it
My rapping is too powerful for my opponents to handle.
If you had NATO backed by Duke Nukem with two lasers
Even with powerful allies, you couldn't defeat me.
My true nature bite you and your face out
My true nature is to fight and defeat my opponents.
Leave you on the ground pointin finks out
I'll leave you knocked out and someone else will have to point out what happened.
Scatterin towards your safehouse, the illest nigga that's out
I'm the best rapper out there and everyone knows it.
I brainstorm til the whole rap game get rained out
I'm constantly coming up with new ideas for my rapping.
Don't make me get a hat and start pullin names out
I'll start calling people out if they try to challenge me.
Change the outfit, get the thang out
I'll adapt to any situation and defeat my opponents.
Make you wish you never came out, get laid out, without an 8-count
I'll knock you out so hard you won't even have a chance to recover.
Get up, get out, and stop tryin to play house
Stop pretending you can compete with me and leave.
Yo, don't exchange with E in exhibition, I'm a expert
Don't try to show off your skills to me, I'm an expert.
Feelin the overexhausted from the leg work
I'm tired from all the hard work I've put in.
Write hate mail through e-mail
I'll send angry messages to my opponents through email.
Talk on my cell, my cell charged like D-cells
I'll talk on my phone for as long as I need to without worrying about the battery running out.
I hate the flows MC's they use these days
I don't like the current trend in rap music.
It's overused, used too much these days
People are using it too much and it's become boring.
E explain, X mark the spot, I rock the spot
I'll explain everything and then take over.
E-Dub the name, and that's Sy Scott
My name is E-Dub, and I'm joined by Sy Scott.
Who wanna battle? The beat beat badly in battle
Who wants to take us on? We'll destroy them in any rap battle.
In battle I paddle like world-class battlers
I'm a skilled fighter and unbeatable in battle.
In the heat of battle, true MC not abbreviation
In the heat of the moment, it's important to be a true rapper and not take shortcuts.
Bout to bring cold war to radio stations
My rapping will bring a cold war to the world of radio.
I'm Master Tsin, the excellent Master Chen
I'm a skilled and powerful rapper.
Spit like I got two mouths connected to an extra chin
I have a lot to say and I'm not afraid to say it.
My foreign is forum
I represent a new and different perspective on rap music.
Embryo MC get brain aborted before they born and made organs
I'll defeat anyone who tries to compete with me before they even have a chance.
Contributed by Asher G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kerron Smith
This beat is crazy. Im a big Sermon fan.
Gi Nattak
Probably my favorite lyricist song of all time.
Reece Norwood
this songs on point bruh thanks for the upload man
Michael Lee
When is Erick Sermin gonna do a track for Rakim??? Or just do a whole album for him!(RAKIM) ...THAT WOULD BE THE ULTIMATE CHITT EVA!!!!!
george iliades
REAL HIP HOP BOOMB BAP!
MILLCITY FLEXXX
Sy-Scott 🔥🔥
BrooklYN
He went stupid
Wrex1 Kettles
The lyricism though
VOICE OF MATTHEW
This Is FAR From Erick Sermon's BEST Verse Ever...U Can Listen 2 "Music", "React", "ChillTown NY" & Even Erick Onasis & Hear That 4 Yaself...E Serm's Def Not My Fav Rapper...But He's Got His Own Style & Its Concistent...He Evolved...Parish Didnt...
Mod
WOW!