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.
Here I Iz
Erick Sermon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo! Here I is on radar
A sixteen verse burst, the last two are 8 bar
Cause by that time, I been did damage
The type 9/11, so duke call the reverand
Sermon; the rappin Mandingo
A mega producer, more drugs than Ringo
"A Star is Born," Erick Streisand, the E I'm nice man
So everybody gather round by the speaker
To hear things clear, the blood comin out the ear
I'm a daywalker, the rap be the serum
My Squad still Def and you still can't hear 'em
If you was a shadow, you couldn't get near 'em
Even if there's "Thirteen Ghosts," you couldn't fear 'em
Look outside, there's 24's on my Cadd' (huh?)
I'm a +Big Boi+, droppin "Bombs Over Baghdad"
[Interlude]
Here I is, Sermon - yeah - I'll mark an E on your back
Yeah.. "That's my man throwin down!"
[Verse Two]
Uh-huh, uh-huh, yeah
It's like street hop, the beat knock
I'm what time it is on my clock on my block
I'm rockin, I got the Earth in a cradle
Youse a baby and not quite able (hell no)
"The Ring" appears when you're facin me
Death comes time after, some say it's the rapture
I'm closed captioned, boy I'm Phil material
(Yeah Francis Ford Coppola, E-Dub's the opener)
See you at your burial, "Wack MC" on your gravestone
Atlanta, I get busy in the Braves home
I'm on your head, Ted Danson +Cheer'n+
You forgot Squad is Def, and we hard of hearin (WHAT?!)
The star vet got a StarTac phone
Extraterrestrial, to see who phone home
Got more dough than me? Man stop it
Green shit, I got +Shrek+ in my front pocket!
[Outro]
Here I is, Sermon - yeah - I'll mark an E on your back
Th-th-th-this is a warning (aiyyo) "Attention all personal!"
Yeah! Come on
In Erick Sermon's song "Here I Iz," the rapper portrays his self-confidence and skill as a rapper and producer. He claims to have such a commanding presence that he shows up on radar and causes damage to his opponents with his verses. Sermon also brags about his extraordinary success in the industry, referring to himself as the equivalent of rock stars like Eric Clapton and Queen's Freddie Mercury. He asserts his immortality in the game, using supernatural references like being a daywalker and referencing the horror movie "The Ring." The rapper compares himself to the famous filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, emphasizing his influence in the game and power as an opener. Sermon warns his competitors with the line "This is a warning, attention all personnel" at the end of the song, reminding them of his superiority in the industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo! Here I is on radar
I'm here and present, and you better be ready for what I have to offer.
A sixteen verse burst, the last two are 8 bar
I have a lot to say, and I'm going to say it quickly and efficiently.
Cause by that time, I been did damage
I've already made an impact before you even realize it.
The type 9/11, so duke call the reverend
My impact is so significant, you may need to call upon a higher power to handle it.
Sermon; the rappin Mandingo
I am a powerful and dominant force in the rap game, like the legendary warrior Mandingo.
A mega producer, more drugs than Ringo
I am a top-level producer and creative mind, with a lifestyle that matches my success.
"A Star is Born," Erick Streisand, the E I'm nice man
I am a star in my own right, with the skill and talent to rival even Hollywood greats.
A rock star while youse a mic stand
I am a true performer and entertainer, while others are simply props on a stage.
So everybody gather round by the speaker
My music is a force that draws people together and demands attention.
To hear things clear, the blood comin out the ear
My music is so powerful and intense, it can literally make your ears bleed with excitement.
I'm a daywalker, the rap be the serum
I am a unique and powerful presence, much like a daywalking vampire, and my music is the medicine that cures whatever ails you.
My Squad still Def and you still can't hear 'em
My crew is still as powerful and influential as ever, but others are too deaf to recognize it.
If you was a shadow, you couldn't get near 'em
Even if you were a shadow, you would be unable to approach and touch the power of my crew and myself.
Even if there's "Thirteen Ghosts," you couldn't fear 'em
Even if you had to face unimaginable terror and forces of darkness, my team and I would still remain unafraid and unbeatable.
Look outside, there's 24's on my Cadd' (huh?)
My wealth, power, and success are evident even in the most mundane of details, such as the wheels on my luxury car.
I'm a +Big Boi+, droppin "Bombs Over Baghdad"
I am a powerhouse of creativity and success, much like the rapper Big Boi and his legendary hit song.
It's like street hop, the beat knock
My music is gritty and real, with a powerful beat that reverberates through the streets and captures the attention of all who hear it.
I'm what time it is on my clock on my block
I am the embodiment of success and power in my neighborhood, and everyone knows and respects me for it.
I'm rockin, I got the Earth in a cradle
I am a true force of nature, with the power to shape and control the world around me.
Youse a baby and not quite able (hell no)
Others may try to emulate and follow in my success, but they will always fall short and remain inferior to my power and talent.
"The Ring" appears when you're facin me
When others attempt to challenge me or my success, they are entering into a dangerous game with no clear winner.
Death comes time after, some say it's the rapture
If you try to mess with me or my power, you may face serious consequences and even the end of the world itself.
I'm closed captioned, boy I'm Phil material
My influence and success are so great, they can be understood and appreciated by anyone, including those who are hearing impaired or dead (like iconic film director Phil Spector).
(Yeah Francis Ford Coppola, E-Dub's the opener)
I am so great, I could even open for legendary director Francis Ford Coppola if I wanted to.
See you at your burial, "Wack MC" on your gravestone
If you try to challenge me and fail, you may end up dead and buried with nothing but a label of being a 'wack MC'.
Atlanta, I get busy in the Braves home
I am so powerful and inspiring, I can even take control of an entire city (like Atlanta and its Braves baseball team) and bend it to my will.
I'm on your head, Ted Danson +Cheer'n+
I am so focused and successful, I can even get inside your head and control your every move (like actor Ted Danson in his role as Cheers' Bartender Sam).
You forgot Squad is Def, and we hard of hearin (WHAT?!)
Others may try to harm me or my crew, but we are still strong and loud enough to stand up for ourselves and defeat them (even if we have to shout 'WHAT?!' to make ourselves heard).
The star vet got a StarTac phone
As a true star in my own right, even my phone (the iconic StarTac) is a symbol of my success and power.
Extraterrestrial, to see who phone home
I am so powerful and otherworldly, I could even speak to aliens and demand they recognize my success and power.
Got more dough than me? Man stop it
No one can match my wealth and influence, anyone claiming to do so is blatantly lying and has no chance against me.
Green shit, I got +Shrek+ in my front pocket!
My success and wealth are so great, I can even carry around the fictional green ogre (Shrek) in my pocket as a symbol of my power and influence.
This is a warning (aiyyo) "Attention all personal!"
This entire song is a warning to anyone who would dare challenge me or my power, and they should take heed before facing me and suffering the consequences.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: REGGIE NOBLE, ERICK SERMON, JUSTIN SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind