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.
Hostile
Erick Sermon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Erick Sermon is coming up... I see him! I see him!
[Erick Sermon]
Word up
"You're quite hostile..."
"I got a right to be hostile!"
[Jeff Stewart]
Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready
Help me bring to the stage the grandmaster
The undisputed heavyweight of hip-hop
The Funklord, you know him as the Green Eyed Bandit
Ladies and gentlemen... the MC Grand Royal
Erick Sermon!
[Erick Sermon]
It's the E Double (who?) The Funklord, god damn
Yo I'm swingin more shit than Tarzan (word em up)
I freak the ill tactics cause I'ma ghetto bastard
Some say my rap style is drastic
Whoahh, I tear the frame out the microphone
Daddy's home, the owner of the chrome (yeah yeah)
Yo, my concepts is wicked; even the wicked witch
couldn't get with the switch, the ugly bitch (word em up)
Time to reach my peak this week, and rock a ill technique
So why'all can freak out like sheep
The undercover from Brentwood, yes I'm doing awesome
You want to see me call Steve Austin (hehehehehe)
For your protection, go sit in the R&B section
for this session
Cause I'm real deal boy you better believe it word
Straight from the Boondocks, a.k.a., the suburbs
Peace to the underground, where I create my sound
that's more doper than "Spellbound" (word)
My time's up, so what the fuck slouch? (YEAH)
I'ma be back, for now I'm out (word up!)
"You're quite hostile..."
[Jeff Stewart]
And now "I gotta right to be hostile!"
Introducing, the man with the flyest transparent style on the planet
"You're quite hostile..."
"I gotta right to be hostile!"
Straight from L.O.D., Kirkland Ave
"You're quite hostile..."
The one and only Philly Blunt King
"I gotta right to be hostile!"
"You're quite hostile..."
"I gotta right to be hostile!"
[Keith Murray]
Keith Murray's, comin from the North South East and Left
Rhymin to death, makin a world when I take a deep breath
With a body boom bash, my paragraph a trey-deuce
Human behavior in a psychopath
Ooooh, I might lose my cool, and break fool
and pull out my get busy tools
I write like a mad journalist
to funk, that's deeper than a bottomless spliff (that's my word)
The most beautifulest thing in this world
is my notion, for murderous poetry in motion
And the illiotic shit I come across
form a leash you're trapped in with explosive force
I push your head through the cracks of sanity
and leave your brain doin a bid in purgatory
It's ninety-six degrees in the shade
before I catch blood on my blade
I take my frustration to the stage
and gets open dope and stupid bumblin rumblin tracks
When I rap my jams be packed like a laundromat
My context'll wreck your whole concept
Cause my delivery is so complex
And I'm inter-galactic on plastic
with the super distinguish that I kick
I'm high strung at the top of my lung
with my tongue makin hardcore niggaz want to get dumb
My dialogue comes straight from the slums
Damnage to your medula, cerebrum and cerebellum
if ya got a crew ya better tell em
[Jeff Stewart]
("Hostile" sample set repeats in background)
Ladies and gentlemen, what you've just witnessed
is the incredible skills of Erick Sermon.. and Keith Murray
Coming to an album near you soon
This has been another Erick Sermon production
This is Jeff Stewart signing off, and until next time saying...
GOD DAMN!!!
The song "Hostile" by Erick Sermon is a classic example of his fierce and confident rapping style. The song starts with Jeff Stewart announcing Sermon's arrival on stage as the grandmaster, the undisputed heavyweight of hip-hop, the Green Eyed Bandit. Sermon's rap style is characterized by sheer aggression and hostility towards his critics. He proclaims that he swings more shit than Tarzan, and that his concepts are wicked and drastic, tearing the frame out of the microphone. He refers to himself as the ghetto bastard and takes pride in his Boondocks origins, creating his sound in the underground.
Keith Murray's verse also captures the essence of hostility and aggression. He raps about taking his frustration to the stage and getting open, leaving his listeners dumbfounded. He is high-strung and raps with hardcore delivery, making his listeners want to get dumb. He is confident that he can wreck the whole concept of his opponents with his complex delivery and inter-galactic superpowers.
Overall, the song is a powerful display of rap style that prioritizes aggression and confidence over subtlety and nuance. Sermon and Murray inspire listeners to be fearless and unapologetic in their approach to life.
Line by Line Meaning
Word up
Erick Sermon is acknowledging someone or agreeing with a statement
You're quite hostile...
Someone is telling Erick Sermon that he is showing signs of hostility
I got a right to be hostile!
Erick Sermon is saying that he has a valid reason for being hostile
It's the E Double (who?) The Funklord, god damn
Erick Sermon is introducing himself as the Funklord and expressing his confidence
Yo I'm swingin more shit than Tarzan (word em up)
Erick Sermon is saying that he is very active and doing a lot of things
I freak the ill tactics cause I'ma ghetto bastard
Erick Sermon is saying that he is using unique and effective tactics because of his rough upbringing
Some say my rap style is drastic
Erick Sermon is acknowledging that some people think his rap style is extreme
Whoahh, I tear the frame out the microphone
Erick Sermon is saying that he is very energetic and aggressive on the microphone
Daddy's home, the owner of the chrome (yeah yeah)
Erick Sermon is saying that he is back in control and has the microphone
Yo, my concepts is wicked; even the wicked witch
Erick Sermon is saying that his ideas are very unusual and impressive
couldn't get with the switch, the ugly bitch (word em up)
Erick Sermon is saying that even a witch couldn't understand his unique approach
Time to reach my peak this week, and rock a ill technique
Erick Sermon is saying that he is going to perform at his best this week and use an impressive technique
So why'all can freak out like sheep
Erick Sermon is saying that his fans can get excited like a flock of sheep
The undercover from Brentwood, yes I'm doing awesome
Erick Sermon is saying that he is doing great, even though he comes from the suburbs
You want to see me call Steve Austin (hehehehehe)
Erick Sermon is jokingly referring to wrestler Steve Austin for help
For your protection, go sit in the R&B section for this session
Erick Sermon is saying that his performance might be too intense for some fans and they should listen to more mellow music instead
Cause I'm real deal boy you better believe it word
Erick Sermon is saying that he is the real deal and people should believe in him
Peace to the underground, where I create my sound, that's more doper than 'Spellbound' (word)
Erick Sermon is giving a shoutout to the underground hip-hop scene and saying that his music is better than a popular movie soundtrack
My time's up, so what the fuck slouch? (YEAH)
Erick Sermon is saying that his time to perform is over, so people should not slack off
I'ma be back, for now I'm out (word up!)
Erick Sermon is saying that he will return in the future and is ending his performance for now
Introducing, the man with the flyest transparent style on the planet
The announcer is introducing Erick Sermon as a rapper with a unique and honest style
Straight from L.O.D., Kirkland Ave
The announcer is saying that Erick Sermon is from an area called L.O.D. on Kirkland Avenue
The one and only Philly Blunt King
The announcer is saying that Erick Sermon is known as the Philly Blunt King
Keith Murray's, comin from the North South East and Left Rhymin to death
Keith Murray is introducing himself as a rapper from any direction who can rhyme very well
Makin a world when I take a deep breath With a body boom bash, my paragraph a trey-deuce
Keith Murray is saying that he can create a powerful impact with his lyrical abilities and describes his style as a number 32 on a dice
Human behavior in a psychopath
Keith Murray is saying that he has an unpredictable and mentally unstable behavior
Ooooh, I might lose my cool, and break fool and pull out my get busy tools
Keith Murray is saying that he might get angry and use a weapon to defend himself
I write like a mad journalist to funk, that's deeper than a bottomless spliff (that's my word)
Keith Murray is saying that he writes creative and deep lyrics similar to a crazed journalist and compares his musical style to smoking a large amount of marijuana
The most beautifulest thing in this world is my notion, for murderous poetry in motion
Keith Murray is saying that his most attractive feature is his creative and deadly way of rapping
And the illiotic shit I come across form a leash you're trapped in with explosive force
Keith Murray is saying that he can use vulgar and bizarre lyrics to create an explosive effect on his listeners
I push your head through the cracks of sanity and leave your brain doin a bid in purgatory
Keith Murray is saying that he can mess with his listeners' minds and leave them in a state of confusion
It's ninety-six degrees in the shade before I catch blood on my blade
Keith Murray is saying that he is very angry and could lash out violently
I take my frustration to the stage and gets open dope and stupid bumblin rumblin tracks
Keith Murray is saying that he expresses his frustrations through his music and creates a great performance
When I rap my jams be packed like a laundromat
Keith Murray is saying that his concerts are always full of fans
My context'll wreck your whole concept
Keith Murray is saying that his lyrics can destroy the listeners' opinions and ideas
Cause my delivery is so complex
Keith Murray is saying that his way of rapping is complicated and impressive
And I'm inter-galactic on plastic with the super distinguish that I kick
Keith Murray is saying that he is otherworldly and unique in the way he raps
I'm high strung at the top of my lung with my tongue makin hardcore niggaz want to get dumb
Keith Murray is saying that he is very excited and energetic and can make even tough people dance and have fun
My dialogue comes straight from the slums
Keith Murray is saying that his lyrics are influenced by poverty and tough neighborhoods
Damnage to your medula, cerebrum and cerebellum if ya got a crew ya better tell em
Keith Murray is saying that his lyrics can cause damage to the listeners' brains and anyone with him will experience the same
Ladies and gentlemen, what you've just witnessed is the incredible skills of Erick Sermon.. and Keith Murray
The announcer is praising the performances of Erick Sermon and Keith Murray
This is Jeff Stewart signing off, and until next time saying... GOD DAMN!!!
Jeff Stewart is ending his performance segment and expressing his excitement for the next show
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERICK S. SERMON, KEITH OMAR MURRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@desktopshorts7411
Keith Murray with the razor-blade has to be one of the most memorable moments in a music video ever.
@gollygee2385
Definitely an ill moment
@anthonymoody6711
Yessir!
@pinchenoche8101
That's exactly why I watch this video.
@keithwitcher5130
Keith Murray could've made his teeth bleed with razor blade in his mouth. Ain't nothing cool about having a razor blade in your mouth.
@theodorecook5884
That, and him standing on top of the black Lex SC400 coupe in the most beautifulest video! That's when they first dropped,
@rashadandre1487
The world stopped.........when Keith debuted this verse!
@designatedpiledriver8216
You ain’t lying. I remember!
@garyscandling4690
No fuckin doubt....probably one of the mind blowing verses I've ever heard !
@ljpcdog
Facts