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.
Genius E Dub
Erick Sermon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo, keep bouncing, have some fun
Uh, bouncy bouncy
Uhh, flamin hot, game shot
Five seconds left, all net, watch
Yo, this here be a funky dope maneuver
(Take that, take that) And make sure the beat slam to the canvas
Get a call from Vince McMahon cause I
Pinned the game with a Marvin verse
Two suburbs in the hearse when the rhyme disperse
Uh, E Dub been real since a fetus
Came out with no laces, shell toe Adidas
Fame like Regis - made myself a millionaire
Got three lifelines, I'm fine, I'm
OutKast, Fresh, my tracks be, Clean
No confusion, stop the illusion, E's
That man there do it, I come with explosive force
Sixth time on the cover of The Source
A decade, so what can y'all tell me?
Go against the grain is seldom seen
When I walk through the crowd I can see heads turnin
I hear voices sayin, That's Erick Sermon
He be the gen I us, E Dub
He be the one that rocks the house, so crazy (so crazy baby)
All my people out there show love (show love) keep bouncing
Bounce, forrrrrrrrrr me, keep bouncing
Whatcha gon' do when you get in the jam?
I'm gon' have some fun
What do you consider fun?
Doin it for 'Pac, Big L, Tah and Pun
Yo, it's too hot for the devil
I raise the heat to the maximum level
Stop drop and roll, the roof's on fire
Next time think when my name's on the flier
T shirt and jeans, Air's the attire
Two way pager, NexTel wire
I'm like this seven days a week
Whatever, song is made best believe it's freak
Cause I, get my freak on, uh, I get my freak on
Erick Sermon is so ill, somethin to speak on
Yo, you came in the game and blew it
Got your rap deal revoked and can't renew it, uh
You wish you was blessed like me
A child God chose to overexpose, whoa
I'm over, that's what I heard
But now I'm on your station with songs preferred
Uh, I'm top three, in thirty five states
And now I'm eating over thirty five plates
When I walk through the crowd I can see heads turnin
I hear voices sayin, That's Erick Sermon
He be the gen I us, E Dub
He be the one that rocks the house, so crazy (so crazy baby)
All my people out there show love (show love) keep bouncing
Bounce, forrrrrrrrrr me, keep bouncing
Whatcha gon' do when you get in the jam?
I'm gon' have some fun
What do you consider fun?
Doin it for 'Pac, Big L, Tah and Pun
Whatcha gon' do when you get in the jam?
I'm gon' have some fun
What do you consider fun?
Doin it for 'Pac, Big L, Tah and Pun
Uhh, Olivia
Yeah, J Records
Uhh, Erick Sermon baby
On the up and up, uh ohhh
The lyrics to Erick Sermon's song Genius E Dub are mostly about the rapper's own success and skill in the music industry. He boasts about his achievements, including making himself a millionaire, being on the cover of The Source six times, and having fame like Regis. He also talks about his talent as a rapper, using metaphors such as bringing the beat "to your gut with more Jab than Judah" and "pinning the game with a Marvin verse". He acknowledges that he has detractors who say he's done, but counters that he is still on top and eating over thirty-five plates.
The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "He be the gen I us, E Dub" which can be interpreted as either a reference to Sermon's own nickname or a comment on his perceived status as a genius in the rap game. The other repeated lyric is the phrase "What do you consider fun? Doin it for 'Pac, Big L, Tah and Pun". This line may be interpreted as Sermon showing respect for other rappers who have passed away.
In summary, the song is a confident and boastful proclamation of Erick Sermon's success and skill as a rapper. The repetition of certain phrases may suggest that he is trying to reaffirm his own identity and place in the hip-hop community.
Line by Line Meaning
Banger
This song is a hit
Yo, keep bouncing, have some fun
Let's dance and enjoy ourselves
Uh, bouncy bouncy
Let's have some fun while dancing
Uhh, flamin hot, game shot
I'm on fire and ready to win
Five seconds left, all net, watch
With only seconds to spare, I made the winning shot flawlessly
Yo, this here be a funky dope maneuver
My moves are creative and impressive
Bring it to your gut with more Jab than Judah
I hit hard and fast like a skilled boxer
(Take that, take that) And make sure the beat slam to the canvas
The beat drops hard and loud
Get a call from Vince McMahon cause I
I am victorious just like a WWE champion
Pinned the game with a Marvin verse
I crushed the competition with my amazing lyrics
Two suburbs in the hearse when the rhyme disperse
My rhymes are so powerful that they can bring an entire neighborhood down
Uh, E Dub been real since a fetus
I've been authentic and true to myself from birth
Came out with no laces, shell toe Adidas
I've always had a unique sense of style
Fame like Regis - made myself a millionaire
I am very successful and wealthy
Got three lifelines, I'm fine, I'm OutKast, Fresh, my tracks be, Clean
I'm versatile and unique, my music is fresh and clean
No confusion, stop the illusion, E's
My rhymes are clear and straightforward, no smoke and mirrors needed
That man there do it, I come with explosive force
I'm a powerhouse performer, full of energy and excitement
Sixth time on the cover of The Source
I am a well-known and respected artist, featured multiple times on a popular magazine
A decade, so what can y'all tell me?
I've been a successful artist for over ten years, what criticism can you give to me?
Go against the grain is seldom seen
It's rare to be a unique and successful artist, breaking away from the norm
When I walk through the crowd I can see heads turnin
My celebrity status draws attention wherever I go
I hear voices sayin, That's Erick Sermon
People recognize and appreciate my talent
He be the gen I us, E Dub
I am a genius artist
He be the one that rocks the house, so crazy (so crazy baby)
I put on an amazingly entertaining performance
All my people out there show love (show love) keep bouncing
I want my fans to have a good time and dance along with me
Bounce, forrrrrrrrrr me, keep bouncing
I want my audience to keep dancing to my music
Whatcha gon' do when you get in the jam?
What are you going to do when you're in trouble?
I'm gon' have some fun
I'm going to enjoy myself despite the challenges
Doin it for 'Pac, Big L, Tah and Pun
I'm honoring the legacies of legendary rappers
Yo, it's too hot for the devil
My rhymes are so fire that even the devil can't handle it
I raise the heat to the maximum level
I take my performance to the highest level
Stop drop and roll, the roof's on fire
My performance is so lit that it feels like the roof is on fire
Next time think when my name's on the flier
People should be prepared for an incredible performance when they see my name on the poster
T shirt and jeans, Air's the attire
I dress casually, comfortable and stylish
Two way pager, NexTel wire
I use the latest technology to stay connected
I'm like this seven days a week
I'm always in top form, every day of the week
Whatever, song is made best believe it's freak
I put my all into every song, and you can always expect amazing results
Cause I, get my freak on, uh, I get my freak on
I'm not afraid to be myself and express my unique style and creativity
Erick Sermon is so ill, somethin to speak on
I'm so skilled and talented that people can't help but talk about me
You wish you was blessed like me
Other artists wish they had my talent and success
A child God chose to overexpose, whoa
God decided to bless me with great talent and success
I'm over, that's what I heard
People thought my career was over, but they were wrong
But now I'm on your station with songs preferred
Now I'm back on the top, with popular songs on your radio station
Uh, I'm top three, in thirty five states
I'm one of the best artists in 35 states
And now I'm eating over thirty five plates
I'm extremely successful and can afford anything I want
Uhh, Olivia
Olivia is an additional artist featured on this track
Yeah, J Records
This song is released by J Records
On the up and up, uh ohhh
I'm continuously rising to the top
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADRIAN BELEW, CHRISTOPHER FRANTZ, ERICK S. SERMON, STEVEN J. C. STANLEY, TINA WEYMOUTH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind