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.
Do-re-mi
Erick Sermon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[LL Cool J]
Uhh, uhh.. yeah
See I know how to get down, word up
It's so hot it's, LL's version of the East coast chronic
Smoke 'til your lungs collapse
You supposed to be the nigga, where all the drama at?
Flooded the market - got your mens on the wall
holdin his blunt, too fucked up to spark it
Show me a nigga who can do like I do
Then gas your mans up so I can rip that nigga too
Braggin you goin platinum like that shit brand new
I was platinum in eighty-five, what THE FUCK wrong with you, huh?
Come (?) L - what you call rocks to me is minerals
Tried to throw salt on my name, shit's political
The baddest man on the planet
So ill when I'm spittin niggaz take it for granted
Cram to understand it, I'll switch and write it lefthanded
Heat my pinky ring up and leave your bitch branded
Got a voice like a cannon - nigga shoot
I don't think she really hot, your career is a fluke
I'm the best MC to ever touch the pen
Take a look at what I'm doin it will not be done again
As sure I am the descendant of former slaves
I'ma resurrect brothers from they mental graves
Make 'em confess - LL's the most rugged
God, and no man's above it, gotta love it
[Chorus: LL, Erick]
DO - get this bread, use ya infrared
RE - fuck the industry, it's all about
MI - you ain't goin - FA
L said it - SO, puffin on the - LA
DO - get this bread, use ya infrared
RE - fuck the industry, it's all about
MI - you ain't goin - FA
E said - SO, puffin on the - LA (.. TI DO)
[Erick Sermon]
Uhh, E Dub on the microphone
Droppin bombs - spots get blown
So why would you assume my style wouldn't bloom
When I rap, wack MC's vacate the room
Cause they suck, and that's how I feel
I'ma smack down the A&R who signed the deal
Then wrap 'round his neck yo' reel to reel
So next time he know, how the real feel
Get loose and wrap hand 'round the steel
Leave you in the truck, wrapped 'round ya wheel
(I ain't playin) But why'all front like I ain't it
And every rapper why'all like, sample my shit
(Name one) I'm nice, and there's no mistakin
I threw a bomb rhyme in the hands of Troy Aikman
My track record is out there, gone
E.T. like maybe I should phone home (hello?)
I'm known for the dome bangers
Drop any song of mine right now in the club and it's DANGER
Scarface, E, LL Cool (jigga jigga)
J, never heard it spit this way, hey
[Chorus: LL, Scarface]
DO - get this bread, use ya infrared
RE - fuck the industry, it's all about
MI - you ain't goin - FA
L said it - SO, puffin on the - LA (that's right)
DO - get this bread, use ya infrared
RE - fuck the industry, it's all about
MI - you ain't goin - FA
Cause 'Face said - SO, puffin on the - LA (.. TI DO)
[Scarface]
You a trash-ass nigga, slash garbage-ass rhymer
You switched from the raw to a chart climber
And now your shit is blowin out the stores
and uh, next month you fin' to go out on the tour but
Count - (two, three, and, four)
Your records ain't sellin no more
And damn - you done spent your money galore
Buyin all the stupid shit that your money can't afford (uh-oh)
Tryin to keep up with the trendy
Got your bitch minked out in all Fendi
Bought your homeboy a brand new Bentley
And the well that wouldn't run dry is now empty
It's simply, cause you wasn't focused on the next day
and your next tape you can't give it away, but hey
I send these to these niggaz tryin to keep up with the Joneses
Everything you see me I owns it
I've been quietly sellin tapes for thirteen years
So let's get, that, clear
You might have sold a few more tapes, but
realistically, are you that great? (nah)
Can't get respect but I done paid dues
Stood on the block slangin cooked up rocks, I'm the same dude
I've been the same nigga since I came through
Do-re-mi too, damn fool!
In the song “Do-re-mi” by Erick Sermon featuring LL Cool J and Scarface, the three rappers rap about their individual skills and how they have made it in the industry without conforming to the norm. LL Cool J makes a reference to his long-standing career and how he has been able to keep up with the changing times while also giving a nod to his legacy as he proclaims himself as the best MC to ever touch the pen. Erick Sermon raps about his unique style and how it's unlike any other, as he calls out other wack MCs in the industry. Scarface takes on a different perspective and calls out the industry for promoting trash music and the artists that make it, emphasizing that he has been quietly selling tapes for thirteen years.
Through the lyrics of “Do-re-mi,” the rappers advocate for chasing success by being unique and authentic, rather than trying to conform to the norm of the industry. They also encourage fans to focus on getting their money and creating wealth rather than chasing trendy things that they won't be able to afford in the long run. The song serves not only as a rap anthem but as a commentary on the music industry as it is, and the ways successful rappers navigate it.
Line by Line Meaning
Uhh, uhh.. yeah
LL Cool J making an entrance
See I know how to get down, word up
LL Cool J knows how to party
It's so hot it's, LL's version of the East coast chronic
He has a fire track
Smoke 'til your lungs collapse
LL recommends smoking weed
You supposed to be the nigga, where all the drama at?
LL Cool J wonders why some people are so dramatic.
So ironic, L came back
LL makes a comeback
Flooded the market - got your mens on the wall
LL's music is on everyone's wall
holdin his blunt, too fucked up to spark it
LL's fans are too high to even light a blunt
Show me a nigga who can do like I do
LL challenges anyone to match his skills
Then gas your mans up so I can rip that nigga too
LL wants his competition to be hyped up before he destroys them
Braggin you goin platinum like that shit brand new
LL has been in the game for a long time
I was platinum in eighty-five, what THE FUCK wrong with you, huh?
LL was already successful in '85, so what's taking others so long?
Come (?) L - what you call rocks to me is minerals
LL has a different perception than others
Tried to throw salt on my name, shit's political
LL blames politics for some of the hate he gets
The baddest man on the planet
LL sees himself as the best rapper alive
So ill when I'm spittin niggaz take it for granted
LL is so good that people overlook it
Cram to understand it, I'll switch and write it lefthanded
LL can switch it up easily
Heat my pinky ring up and leave your bitch branded
LL has fire rhymes that can leave an impact
Got a voice like a cannon - nigga shoot
When LL speaks, people listen
I don't think she really hot, your career is a fluke
LL thinks some people are only successful because of their looks
I'm the best MC to ever touch the pen
LL believes he's the GOAT
Take a look at what I'm doin it will not be done again
LL's success is one of a kind
As sure I am the descendant of former slaves
LL is proud of his heritage
I'ma resurrect brothers from they mental graves
LL will inspire and motivate others
Make 'em confess - LL's the most rugged
LL wants everyone to recognize his toughness
God, and no man's above it, gotta love it
LL is comparing himself to a god-like figure
DO - get this bread, use ya infrared
LL uses musical metaphors for his advice on making money
RE - fuck the industry, it's all about
LL encourages ignoring the industry norms
MI - you ain't goin - FA
LL warns that some people won't make it in the industry
L said it - SO, puffin on the - LA
LL is having a good time smoking some weed
E said - SO, puffin on the - LA (.. TI DO)
Erick Sermon agrees with LL's sentiment
Uhh, E Dub on the microphone
Erick Sermon introduces himself
Droppin bombs - spots get blown
Erick Sermon has a lot of power and influence
So why would you assume my style wouldn't bloom
Erick Sermon challenges those who doubted his skills
When I rap, wack MC's vacate the room
Erick Sermon's rapping skills are so good, they intimidate others
Cause they suck, and that's how I feel
Erick Sermon doesn't mince words when it comes to his opinion on bad rappers
I'ma smack down the A&R who signed the deal
Erick Sermon will hold A&R's accountable for signing bad rappers
Then wrap 'round his neck yo' reel to reel
Erick Sermon will use his power to make sure bad artists don't succeed
So next time he know, how the real feel
Erick Sermon will make sure the A&R understands the consequences of signing bad rappers
Get loose and wrap hand 'round the steel
Erick Sermon isn't afraid to use force if necessary
Leave you in the truck, wrapped 'round ya wheel
Erick Sermon's actions can have serious consequences
(I ain't playin) But why'all front like I ain't it
Erick Sermon doesn't appreciate being overlooked
And every rapper why'all like, sample my shit
Erick Sermon's music is popular among other rappers
(Name one) I'm nice, and there's no mistakin
Erick Sermon is confident in his skills
I threw a bomb rhyme in the hands of Troy Aikman
Erick Sermon is proud to have worked with Troy Aikman
My track record is out there, gone
Erick Sermon's success is well-known
E.T. like maybe I should phone home (hello?)
Erick Sermon is so famous, he's like an alien
I'm known for the dome bangers
Erick Sermon's music is known for its impact
Drop any song of mine right now in the club and it's DANGER
Erick Sermon can make the party turn up
Scarface, E, LL Cool (jigga jigga)
The collaboration includes Scarface, Erick Sermon, and LL Cool J
J, never heard it spit this way, hey
Erick Sermon's style is original and new
L said it - SO, puffin on the - LA (that's right)
LL Cool J still enjoying smoking weed
Cause 'Face said - SO, puffin on the - LA (.. TI DO)
Scarface agrees with the sentiment of smoking weed
You a trash-ass nigga, slash garbage-ass rhymer
Scarface insults a bad rapper's skills
You switched from the raw to a chart climber
Scarface accuses a rapper of selling out
And now your shit is blowin out the stores
Scarface acknowledges a successful artist's sales
and uh, next month you fin' to go out on the tour but
Scarface is predicting a future tour for the artist
Count - (two, three, and, four)
Scarface counts a beat
Your records ain't sellin no more
Scarface highlights a decline in record sales
And damn - you done spent your money galore
Scarface acknowledges an artist's poor financial decisions
Buyin all the stupid shit that your money can't afford (uh-oh)
Scarface criticizes an artist's spending habits
Tryin to keep up with the trendy
Scarface accuses an artist of following trends
Got your bitch minked out in all Fendi
Scarface is criticizing an artist for spending money on his girlfriend
Bought your homeboy a brand new Bentley
Scarface is criticizing an artist for spending money on his friends
And the well that wouldn't run dry is now empty
Scarface is criticizing an artist for being reckless with his money
It's simply, cause you wasn't focused on the next day
Scarface attributes an artist's downfall to a lack of foresight
and your next tape you can't give it away, but hey
Scarface predicts an artist won't even be able to give away his next album
I send these to these niggaz tryin to keep up with the Joneses
Scarface is sending a message to artists who are trying to follow others
Everything you see me I owns it
Scarface is proud of his possessions
I've been quietly sellin tapes for thirteen years
Scarface has been in the game for a long time
So let's get, that, clear
Scarface wants to make sure people understand
You might have sold a few more tapes, but
Scarface acknowledges others' success
realistically, are you that great? (nah)
Scarface questions the greatness of others
Can't get respect but I done paid dues
Scarface has earned his respect
Stood on the block slangin cooked up rocks, I'm the same dude
Scarface stays true to his origins
I've been the same nigga since I came through
Scarface hasn't changed his identity
Do-re-mi too, damn fool!
Scarface reminds listeners of the title of the song.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JORDAN, SERMON, SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind