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.
God Sent
Erick Sermon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Let me clear my throat! {*scratched: "hey hey hey"*}
Kick it over here baby pop! {*scratched: "one two"*}
Feel the beat... mmm DRRRRROP!
[Erick Sermon]
Look, some of why'all had chance to witness
Every year I appeared on top hit list
A third of R&B, no help just me (YO!)
Just me on the rhyme, just me on the beat
Just me in the lab, just me in the street
Most knew it, my accolades stacked high
Appalachian, Mountain placin them
Top ten, I'm rap's elite, so street
If you can't recite the realness, don't speak (YO!)
My sound help cats through bids
Half the industry rhymes on somethin I did
I target, one market
Underground shit to start arguments about who's dope
Hip-Hop kids, like crackheads
they fiend for this, like he's a genius
No I'm God sent
[Chorus 2X: Erick Sermon]
Yes I'm one of God's children
Erick, I'm blessed with a gift, yeah
I "Walk This Way"
Run-D.M.C. style and Jay, you see like trust I'm God sent
[Erick Sermon]
Yeah, I'm on a 15 year spread
Retire from the game when I'm dead
For now I'm livin, I'ma keep givin
this Boogie Down Production for Scott LaRock
Peace, to Biggie, Pun, Big L and 'Pac
Freaky Tah, Eazy-E, and the rest that dropped
{Redman: "DRRRRROP!"}
For those who wonderin, it's no other
Five times on The Source, I graced the cover
So save your opinion, you want to hear that old
"You're a Customer" type flow, when I rhyme slow
That was 15 years ago - if you want to hear that
then buy that tape, and hear that flow (YO!)
Jah said somethin like you have to grow
Can't stagnate the flow, cause you said so
I walk this way, cause I've paid dues
I'm a giant, and you need platform shoes
Talk to me
[Chorus]
[Erick Sermon]
Okay last bomb, so I'ma let this go
Been fresh since Doug and Ricky did "The Show" (YO!)
And you act like E's not able
You ain't said nuttin, put the cash on the table
I'm from the era of battle, LL, Moe Dee
Who held the mic when you held the rattle
But you frontin' like E's not happenin
Like Run told me, "I'm the reason why you rappin'
Feel my spirit, so powerful that the dead can hear it
I'm Raw, got the wrath of Kane
Look in the mirror it's the man
Not the one that Michael Jackson was searchin'
It's me Erick Sermon
Rest in peace to Jam Master Jay
The song "God Sent" by Erick Sermon featuring Redman is about Erick's musical career, his accolades, and skills. The song has two rappers, Erick Sermon and Redman, with Redman's famous line "let me clear my throat" at the beginning of the song. The first verse rapped by Erick Sermon explains his journey in the music industry with his skills in producing and rapping. He is a self-made person and mentions that half of the rap world and a third of R&B is his production. Erick Sermon is highly acclaimed and unmatchable in his skills. He has a fan following like a cult among the Hip-Hop kids, who are always searching for exclusive pieces like drug addicts.
The chorus of the song conveys Erick Sermon's humbleness. He believes that he is one of God's children and his talent is a blessing. He claims himself to be a genius and God sent. In the second verse, Erick Sermon talks about his 15-year long journey in the music industry. He is not planning to retire soon as he believes he still has a lot to give to the world. Erick Sermon remembers great artists like Scott LaRock, Biggie, Pun, Big L, Eazy-E, and 'Pac, who died early in their career. He pays tribute to them and feels blessed that he is still alive to serve his fans.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me clear my throat! {*scratched: "hey hey hey"*}
Redman is signaling that he's ready to spit some bars and take the stage.
Kick it over here baby pop! {*scratched: "one two"*}
Redman is getting hyped up and wants the music to start.
Feel the beat... mmm DRRRRROP!
Redman is emphasizing the moment the beat drops, and the energy is high.
Look, some of why'all had chance to witness
Erick is addressing those who have seen his success over the years.
Every year I appeared on top hit list
Erick has consistently produced hit songs and remained relevant.
I produced, half the rap world
Erick is responsible for producing hit tracks for many rappers in the industry.
A third of R&B, no help just me (YO!)
Erick is boasting that he's produced tracks for one-third of the R&B industry alone without any outside help or collaborations.
Just me on the rhyme, just me on the beat
Erick is reiterating that he's single-handedly responsible for his music, from beats to lyrics.
Just me in the lab, just me in the street
Erick's musical talents are born from his own creativity and hard work in the studio and on the streets.
Most knew it, my accolades stacked high
Erick has achieved high success and recognition for his work.
Appalachian, Mountain placin them
Erick's successes stack up like mountains in the Appalachian range.
Top ten, I'm rap's elite, so street
Erick is among the top ten rappers with exclusive street credibility.
If you can't recite the realness, don't speak (YO!)
Erick's message is honest and authentic, and he doesn't want anyone to comment if they don't understand it.
My sound help cats through bids
Erick's music uplifts people and helps them cope in tough times.
Half the industry rhymes on somethin I did
Many of today's rappers have used samples or beats produced by Erick.
I target, one market
Erick focuses on a particular niche within the music industry.
Underground shit to start arguments about who's dope
Erick produces music outside of mainstream attention to differentiate from others and encourage competition.
Hip-Hop kids, like crackheads
Hip-Hop consumers are addicted to quality rap music the same way that a crackhead is addicted to the drug.
they fiend for this, like he's a genius
Erick's music is highly desired, and his dedicated fans see him as a genius.
No I'm God sent
Erick believes that his musical talents are a gift from God.
[Chorus 2X: Erick Sermon]
The chorus emphasizes the fact that Erick Sermon is God's child and has been blessed with musical talents.
Yeah, I'm on a 15 year spread
Erick's career spans 15 years.
Retire from the game when I'm dead
Erick plans to retire from the music industry when he dies.
For now I'm livin, I'ma keep givin
Erick plans to continue creating and sharing new music while he's alive.
this Boogie Down Production for Scott LaRock
Erick pays homage to Boogie Down Productions and Scott LaRock with his creations.
Peace, to Biggie, Pun, Big L and 'Pac
Erick shows respect and gives peace to great rappers who have passed away.
{Redman: "DRRRRROP!"}
Redman interjects again to emphasize the music dropped and the energy is high.
For those who wonderin, it's no other
Erick is one of a kind.
Five times on The Source, I graced the cover
Erick has been on the cover of The Source magazine five times.
So save your opinion, you want to hear that old
Erick makes it clear that he's not interested in anyone's opinion about his current tracks, and they should purchase his older music if that's what they prefer to listen to.
"You're a Customer" type flow, when I rhyme slow
Erick's older music has a particular flow that was popularized with the track "You're a Customer" that he still employs when rhyming at a slower tempo.
That was 15 years ago - if you want to hear that
Erick recognizes the time has passed and if anyone prefers his older music, they can go back and listen to it.
then buy that tape, and hear that flow (YO!)
Erick encourages fans of his older music to purchase his older tapes and albums to listen to them.
Jah said somethin like you have to grow
Erick believes that one has to grow and progress in this world, and this philosophy is reflected in his new music.
Can't stagnate the flow, cause you said so
Erick won't let the opinions of others cause him stress to stagnate in his music.
I walk this way, cause I've paid dues
Erick's success in the music industry is the result of hard work and talent.
I'm a giant, and you need platform shoes
Erick is a legendary rapper, and others will need to reach his level with a boost like wearing platform shoes.
Talk to me
Erick challenges other rappers to talk to him directly if they want to challenge his talent or ability.
[Chorus]
The chorus is repeated, emphasizing Erick Sermon's status as one of God's children and his musical talents.
Okay last bomb, so I'ma let this go
Erick is dropping one last hit before ending the song.
Been fresh since Doug and Ricky did "The Show" (YO!)
Erick has been killing the game since the days of the hip-hop duo Doug E. Fresh and Ricky D.
And you act like E's not able
Erick's abilities are underestimated by others.
You ain't said nuttin, put the cash on the table
If others truly believe they can compete with Erick Sermon, they should put their money where their mouth is and bet on it.
I'm from the era of battle, LL, Moe Dee
Erick comes from an era in rap where lyrical battles were commonplace, and rappers like LL Cool J and Kool Moe Dee were kings of the game.
Who held the mic when you held the rattle
Erick asks who was rapping while others were still playing with rattles as children.
But you frontin' like E's not happenin
Even though Erick's talent is undisputed, others are still trying to act like he's not relevant anymore.
Like Run told me, "I'm the reason why you rappin'
Erick references a conversation he had with rapper Run from Run-DMC, who admires Erick's style and graciously gave him credit for inspiring him to become a rapper.
Feel my spirit, so powerful that the dead can hear it
Erick's music is so powerful that it can be felt by those who have passed away.
I'm Raw, got the wrath of Kane
Erick's style is raw and unfiltered, much like another renowned rapper, Big Daddy Kane.
Look in the mirror it's the man
Erick has confidence in himself and isn't afraid to be himself.
Not the one that Michael Jackson was searchin'
Erick is proud to be himself and not a look-alike that Michael Jackson was searching for in the music video "Black or White".
It's me Erick Sermon
Erick signs off with a reminder that he is the famous rapper Erick Sermon.
Rest in peace to Jam Master Jay
Erick pays respect to another legendary rapper who has passed away.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID REEVES, DARRYL MATTHEWS MCDANIELS, JOSEPH WARD SIMMONS, DWAYNE SIMON, ERICK S. SERMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind