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.
Future Thug
Erick Sermon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Run yo' bling bling, nigga boy stand up
It's E-Dub, whassup?
Yeah I'm bouncin, large amounts of cash we countin
That stand tall like mountains
To bring the drama, it takes a second man (that's it)
One wrong move, "Bring the Pain" like Method Man
Damnit, it's the Bandit, new Hummer in transit
Twenty-seven inches come standard (YO!)
This my people, whether drivin the Benz, the Pinto
Or the Regal, the Range Rover, the Beatle (uh)
I'm in New York now but I represent the SWATS of A-Town
When I touch down amid grounds
Me and L-Dub and Redman, that's it mo'fuckah
You heard what I said man, that's real (what the deal)
It's E-Dub, pronounce it right
Eyes green like Kryptonite, so good night!
[Chorus]
What why'all want? why'all want this?
We give it to ya, we future thugs
We up in yo' crib like, we up in yo' club like
We up in yo' hood like, we future thugs
[Verse Two: 11/29]
Where niggaz be thinkin the, Cadillac's on 23's
Bitch bring with the DVD's, old school bucket seats
South Memphis to College P, Decatur to N.Y.C.
Top droppin' that Benz 'til it, came with the leather seat
Back up off my whip or I jump out and cause a tragedy
St. Louis to Florida, from N.Y. to Tennessee
Them boys ride 20's, them niggaz from the hay
Them boys flickin Bentleys, Benz, Lex and Escalades
Them boys ride clean, twist and turnin in yo' face
With that chameleon paint, fresh as {?}
I pull up in a fo'-fo'-two with E-Dub
With a convertible top on the Chevy, we like what
Def Squad in this piece, you want it we give it to ya
You don't want no trouble with me, I might do ya
And tear the club up with E-Dub and that nigga {*bang*}
Better respect my gangsta I stay with two Rugers
[Chorus]
[Verse Three: Redman]
Yo, I ain't a thug but I do thug things nigga so hold me down
Forty round, caliber spitter, that's how the shorty crown
Run with gordy hounds for 40 miles then ignore me now
Duck +Motowns+ than Barry Gordy found, sorry clown!
Super future thug, 12 shoe shoot you through the rug
James Bond, watch on my arm, tellin me who to truck
My God's my gun, don't need him since cerebreal cock
Beat him size ammo three to five mammal we the Gods
That'll shit on your turf, that'll get in your skirt
I heard Alicia, so my dick give what a woman is worth
I make them niggaz blow... then hide 'em inside 'em
My noggin is strange when them dogs is ridin
'Cause I'm a, cheap fucker, street usher, eat supper with
Pack of wolves that act a fool, blood on they upper lip
Need a nigga, I'm that nigga to call, nigga to draw
Chainsaws to the brawl, cuttin ya ligaments off
[Chorus]
The song "Future Thug" by Erick Sermon is a braggadocious track where the rapper talks about his wealth, influence, and the gangster lifestyle he lives. The song opens with Erick Sermon telling everyone to put their hands up as he declares himself as the "Future Thug." He talks about his large amounts of cash, luxury cars, and how he represents the SWATS of A-Town (SouthWest Atlanta). This is followed by 11/29 who raps about riding in fancy cars like Cadillac, Mercedes, and Bentley while cruising through different states like South Memphis and NY.
Redman goes on to take the song to another level with his verse as he calls himself a cheap fucker and a street usher who eats supper with a pack of wolves that have blood on their upper lip. He talks about his prowess with guns and his ability to fight with chainsaws. The chorus of the song embodies the concept of Future Thug by saying that they are the ones who will come to your crib, club, and hood.
In summary, the song "Future Thug" by Erick Sermon is a typical gangsta rap song that talks about the luxurious lifestyle of a rapper, including fancy cars, cash, and guns, representing the SWATS of A-Town, and the ability to dominate any situation that arises.
Line by Line Meaning
Ah-yo everybody hands up
Hey everyone, put your hands up in the air as a sign of excitement and enthusiasm.
Run yo' bling bling, nigga boy stand up
Show off your jewelry and get ready to be amazed by the upcoming genius of hip-hop music.
It's E-Dub, whassup?
It is the well-known rapper Erick Sermon, also known as E-Dub. What's happening, people?
Yeah I'm bouncin, large amounts of cash we countin
I am very excited and happy, as we are counting a lot of money!
That stand tall like mountains
Our financial success is as tall and unshakeable as mountains.
To bring the drama, it takes a second man (that's it)
It only takes a small moment to create drama and chaos, my friend.
One wrong move, "Bring the Pain" like Method Man
If anyone makes a mistake, I will bring the pain and aggression, just like fellow rapper Method Man.
It's your boy
It's me, Erick Sermon, your favorite rapper and hip-hop superstar.
Damnit, it's the Bandit, new Hummer in transit
I am the Bandit, and I just bought a brand new Hummer that is on its way to me.
Twenty-seven inches come standard (YO!)
My new Hummer comes with 27-inch wheels, which is pretty impressive, don't you think?
This my people, whether drivin the Benz, the Pinto
My fans, no matter what car they drive, whether it's a Benz or a Pinto, are still my people.
Or the Regal, the Range Rover, the Beatle (uh)
Whether they drive a Buick Regal, a Range Rover, or even a Volkswagen Beetle, they are all my people, uh-huh.
I'm in New York now but I represent the SWATS of A-Town
Even though I am currently in New York, I still represent the Southwest Atlanta territories of A-Town, where I am from.
When I touch down amid grounds
Once I arrive and step foot on the ground, everyone knows that I am here and ready to take over.
Me and L-Dub and Redman, that's it mo'fuckah
Me, L-Dub, and Redman are the only ones that matter, motherfucker.
You heard what I said man, that's real (what the deal)
Don't doubt what I just said, man. It's real and true. What's the deal?
It's E-Dub, pronounce it right
It's Erick Sermon, also known as E-Dub. Make sure you say my name right.
Eyes green like Kryptonite, so good night!
My eyes are green like Kryptonite, so don't mess with me or it will be good night for you!
What why'all want? why'all want this?
What is it that you guys want? I know what you want - this dope hip-hop music.
We give it to ya, we future thugs
We give you what you want - the sound of the future, the style of future thugs.
We up in yo' crib like, we up in yo' club like
We are everywhere, invading your homes and nightclubs, bringing our music to the masses.
We up in yo' hood like, we future thugs
We are even in your neighborhoods, bringing the sounds of future thugs to the streets.
Where niggaz be thinkin the, Cadillac's on 23's
People might think that Cadillacs have 23-inch wheels.
Bitch bring with the DVD's, old school bucket seats
Bring your DVDs and enjoy riding in our classic cars with bucket seats.
South Memphis to College P, Decatur to N.Y.C.
We are known and respected from South Memphis to College Park, from Decatur to New York City.
Top droppin' that Benz 'til it, came with the leather seat
We love driving with the top down in our Benz until it comes with the leather seats.
Back up off my whip or I jump out and cause a tragedy
Stay away from my car or I might jump out and make things get out of control.
St. Louis to Florida, from N.Y. to Tennessee
We are well-traveled and popular all over the United States, from St. Louis to Florida, from New York to Tennessee.
Them boys ride 20's, them niggaz from the hay
Some people ride with 20-inch wheels, particularly those from the countryside.
Them boys flickin Bentleys, Benz, Lex and Escalades
Others drive and show off their luxury cars, such as Bentleys, Benzes, and Escalades.
Them boys ride clean, twist and turnin in yo' face
They keep their cars clean, shining, and twisting their wheels in your face.
With that chameleon paint, fresh as {?}
Their cars are decorated with chameleon paint, which changes colors in different angles, and is fresh as something (unknown).
I pull up in a fo'-fo'-two with E-Dub
I arrive in a 442 muscle car with E-Dub, which is pretty cool.
With a convertible top on the Chevy, we like what
Our Chevy has a convertible top, and we feel really great about it, like what?
Def Squad in this piece, you want it we give it to ya
Def Squad is in the house, and we have what you want, so let us give it to you.
You don't want no trouble with me, I might do ya
Don't mess with me, because I might cause trouble for you.
And tear the club up with E-Dub and that nigga {*bang*}
I might even cause chaos at the nightclub with E-Dub and that other guy, like *bang*.
Better respect my gangsta I stay with two Rugers
Better show me some respect, as I am a gangsta that always carries two Ruger guns with me for protection.
Yo, I ain't a thug but I do thug things nigga so hold me down
I don't consider myself a thug, but I do some things that might be considered thuggish, so have my back, brother.
Forty round, caliber spitter, that's how the shorty crown
I fire a lot of bullets from my forty caliber gun when I need to, and that's how I roll.
Run with gordy hounds for 40 miles then ignore me now
I can run with my hunting dogs for 40 miles, and then they still want to ignore me.
Duck +Motowns+ than Barry Gordy found, sorry clown!
I duck and avoid the Motown artists that were discovered by Barry Gordy, and I pity any clown that tries to mess with me.
Super future thug, 12 shoe shoot you through the rug
I am a futuristic thug that can shoot you through the rug with my 12-gauge shotgun.
James Bond, watch on my arm, tellin me who to truck
I have a James Bond watch on my arm that tells me what type of truck to drive.
My God's my gun, don't need him since cerebreal cock
My gun is my God, and I don't need anyone else to protect me, since I have a cerebreal cock (implying a large and powerful brain).
Beat him size ammo three to five mammal we the Gods
I can literally beat anyone with the size of my ammunition or with three to five mammals, as we are the Gods of the hip-hop world.
That'll shit on your turf, that'll get in your skirt
We can easily take over your territory and your girls, by shitting on your turf and getting into your skirts (implying seduction).
I heard Alicia, so my dick give what a woman is worth
I listened to Alicia Keys, and now my penis is giving what a woman is worth (implying sexual prowess).
I make them niggaz blow... then hide 'em inside 'em
I make the guys blow me, and then I hide them inside my body (implying homosexuality).
My noggin is strange when them dogs is ridin
My mind is strange when I go out hunting with my dogs.
'Cause I'm a, cheap fucker, street usher, eat supper with
Because I am a cheap and poor person, who works as a street usher, I eat supper with others who are not wealthy.
Pack of wolves that act a fool, blood on they upper lip
I hang out with a pack of wolves that behave recklessly, with blood on their upper lip after hunting.
Need a nigga, I'm that nigga to call, nigga to draw
If you need someone to call or to draw (implying shooting), I am your man.
Chainsaws to the brawl, cuttin ya ligaments off
I use chainsaws to fight and cut off people's ligaments during brawls, as I am badass.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: REGGIE NOBLE, DENNIS D. COLES, M. DAVIS, N. PHILLIPS, CHRISTOPHER BRIAN BRIDGES, A JOHNSON, ERICK S SERMON, ELLIOTT WILLENSKY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind