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.
I'm Not Him
Erick Sermon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
{I'M NOT HIM} Nope, it's E don't trip
Word to Cam'Ron, man my Set stay Dipped
We rock Nike Airs, the flyest wears, yeah
We got Flavor man {"Yeahhhhhhhh BOYEEE!"}
{I'M NOT HIM} I'm the Music Man
Who gave Marvin Gaye's wife two hundred grand
Man, ask Quincy, I'm that dude
{I'M NOT HIM} Boy you in trouble
Guns pack a couple, a one-man SWAT team
By any means, pull a Malcolm
House 'em have 'em screamin Shelton, he {"Bring the noise!"}
{I'M NOT HIM} Nope, I'm the Bandit
That Green Eyed cat, boy from way back
Who set trends, the youngest nigga in rap with a Benz
Rag-top with rims, that was me stupid!
[Chorus 2X: Erick Sermon]
{I'M NOT HIM} I'm not him
(It's E-Dub, it's not who you thought he was)
(He's flyer than you thought he was)
So I'm back to reclaim my name because
[Erick Sermon]
{I'M NOT HIM} I'm a 15 year vet
Type of rapper, 15 year stretch
The one who made it happen rappin
Got it crackin rappin, keep the paper stackin, yeah
{I'M NOT HIM} I'm hip-hop elite
The one who signed Redman, the one who signed Keith
The one who made the beat that locked down the corner
Hardcore, that's my persona, geah
{I'M NOT HIM} Nope, I'm the E
The other half of the group of EPMD
And my track record so mean
This here underground bounce so hood, fuck mainstream
{I'M NOT HIM} You can't get with me
I rock spots and leave a TLC "Unpretty"
And now it's "Ugly," Bubba Sparxxx scene
Real dirty and grimy with the Squad behind me
[Chorus]
[Erick Sermon]
{I'M NOT HIM} Nope, I'm the master
I'm the man's man, the rapper's favorite rapper
The ultimate, none get close to it
I'm Erick, I'm the one you supposed to pick
{I'M NOT HIM} I keep it gutter on tracks
"Regulate" like Doc Dre's brother
I'm Warren in rap, I drop bombs to-day
You lay like you-day and Qu-say, yeah
{I'M NOT HIM} The MC Grand Royal
on the microphone, and New York's my home
Long Island zone, where I roam
like phones in Buffalo, geah - you know!
{I'M NOT HIM} Go 'head, talk about me
I don't care since my label dropped me
And I returned like Makaveli
In a new stretch Caddy, watchin "Belly"
I'm not him
[Chorus]
(It's E-Dub)
(It's E-Dub, he's not who you thought he was)
{I'M NOT HIM}
(It's E-Dub)
(It's E-Dub, he's not who you thought he was)
{I'M NOT HIM}
In Erick Sermon's song "I'm Not Him," he makes clear that he is not to be confused with anyone else as he boasts about his rap accomplishments. He sets himself apart from other rappers in the game by pointing out that he is the man who signed Redman and Keith and the other half of the group EPMD. Erick Sermon's lyrical skills and success in making it as a rapper are showcased throughout the song as he raps about keeping it gutter on tracks and dropping bombs like Warren in rap.
Being a "15 year vet," Erick Sermon knows what it takes to survive in the music industry, and he has become "hip-hop elite" in his eyes. He points out his contributions to Marvin Gaye's wife, which show the power and influence that he has in the music world. Erick Sermon is a master of the rap game, the man's man, and the ultimate rapper. He notes that his track record is mean enough to outdo mainstream music, making his underground bounce so hood. Erick Sermon portrays himself as the bandit, with a SWAT team ready to go by any means necessary, showcasing his fierceness in the rap game, making him a force to be reckoned with.
Line by Line Meaning
Nope, it's E don't trip
Erick Sermon wants to clarify that he is the one rapping and not someone else.
Word to Cam'Ron, man my Set stay Dipped
Erick Sermon is giving a shout out to his friend Cam'Ron and boasting about how his crew always looks fresh and stylish.
We rock Nike Airs, the flyest wears, yeah
Erick Sermon and his crew wear fashionable Nike Air sneakers.
We got Flavor man 'Yeahhhhhhhh BOYEEE!'
Erick Sermon's crew has style and swag and is not afraid to show it.
I'm the Music Man
Erick Sermon is a successful music producer.
Who gave Marvin Gaye's wife two hundred grand
Erick Sermon is boasting about his wealth and the amount of money he has given away to people like Marvin Gaye's wife.
Man, ask Quincy, I'm that dude
Erick Sermon is confident in his abilities and reputation as a music producer.
So please don't get me confused because
Erick Sermon wants to make sure people don't confuse him with someone else.
Boy you in trouble
If you mess with Erick Sermon, you will be in trouble.
Guns pack a couple, a one-man SWAT team
Erick Sermon has weapons and is not afraid to use them.
By any means, pull a Malcolm
Erick Sermon is willing to use any means necessary to protect himself and his crew, even resorting to violence if needed.
House 'em have 'em screamin Shelton, he 'Bring the noise!'
If Erick Sermon needs to take someone out, he will do it and make sure everyone knows that he was the one who did it.
Nope, I'm the Bandit
Erick Sermon has a bad boy persona and sees himself as a thief and outlaw.
That Green Eyed cat, boy from way back
Erick Sermon has been around for a long time and is a veteran in the rap game.
Who set trends, the youngest nigga in rap with a Benz
Erick Sermon was a trendsetter in his youth and was one of the first young rappers to own a luxury car.
Rag-top with rims, that was me stupid!
Erick Sermon is bragging about the car he used to own with a convertible roof and shiny rims.
I'm not him
Erick Sermon wants to make sure that people know that he is different from other rappers.
(It's E-Dub, it's not who you thought he was)
Erick Sermon is using his nickname, E-Dub, to remind people that he is not the same as other rappers.
(He's flyer than you thought he was)
Erick Sermon believes that he is more stylish and fashionable than people initially think.
So I'm back to reclaim my name because
Erick Sermon wants to make sure people recognize and remember his name.
I'm a 15 year vet
Erick Sermon has been in the rap game for 15 years.
Type of rapper, 15 year stretch
Erick Sermon has been a consistent and successful rapper for 15 years.
The one who made it happen rappin
Erick Sermon is proud of his success in the rap game.
Got it crackin rappin, keep the paper stackin, yeah
Erick Sermon has made a lot of money through rapping and he plans to continue doing so.
I'm hip-hop elite
Erick Sermon is at the top of the hip-hop industry.
The one who signed Redman, the one who signed Keith
Erick Sermon is a successful music producer who has signed famous rappers like Redman and Keith.
The one who made the beat that locked down the corner
Erick Sermon created a beat that was popular and well-known in the rap community.
Hardcore, that's my persona, geah
Erick Sermon is known for being tough and hardcore in his music and his persona.
You can't get with me
Erick Sermon believes that he is untouchable and no one can compete with him.
I rock spots and leave a TLC 'Unpretty'
Erick Sermon can perform at various venues and he doesn't care about making things look pretty.
And now it's 'Ugly,' Bubba Sparxxx scene
Erick Sermon is referencing a popular song by Bubba Sparxxx that has a similar message to his own music.
Real dirty and grimy with the Squad behind me
Erick Sermon has a crew or 'Squad' of people who support him and his music.
I'm the master
Erick Sermon sees himself as the best and most accomplished rapper.
I'm the man's man, the rapper's favorite rapper
Erick Sermon is respected and admired by other rappers in the industry.
The ultimate, none get close to it
Erick Sermon believes that he is the ultimate rapper and cannot be compared to anyone else.
I'm Erick, I'm the one you supposed to pick
Erick Sermon believes that he is the obvious choice when it comes to picking a successful and talented rapper.
I keep it gutter on tracks
Erick Sermon's music is raw and unfiltered.
'Regulate' like Doc Dre's brother
Erick Sermon's music is similar to the classic song 'Regulate' by Dr. Dre's brother, Warren G.
I'm Warren in rap, I drop bombs to-day
Erick Sermon sees himself as a talented rapper like Warren G, and he is not afraid to release new and exciting music.
You lay like you-day and Qu-say, yeah
Erick Sermon is referencing rappers that he thinks are inferior to him.
The MC Grand Royal
Erick Sermon sees himself as a 'grand' and important figure in the rap industry.
on the microphone, and New York's my home
Erick Sermon is proud of his roots and where he comes from.
Long Island zone, where I roam
Erick Sermon is from Long Island, New York and has a lot of pride for his hometown.
like phones in Buffalo, geah - you know!
Erick Sermon is making a reference to how ubiquitous the use of phones is in both Buffalo and his own music.
Go 'head, talk about me
Erick Sermon is confident and not afraid of what people say about him.
I don't care since my label dropped me
Erick Sermon has experienced difficult times in his career.
And I returned like Makaveli
Erick Sermon has made a comeback to the rap game, similar to Tupac's return as Makaveli.
In a new stretch Caddy, watchin 'Belly'
Erick Sermon is driving a new Cadillac and watching a popular movie called 'Belly'.
It's E-Dub
Erick Sermon is using his nickname, E-Dub, as an identifying marker.
(It's E-Dub, he's not who you thought he was)
Erick Sermon wants to remind people that he is different from other rappers.
{I'M NOT HIM}
Erick Sermon wants to emphasize that he is unique and not the same as other rappers.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CARLTON RIDENHOUR, ERIC T. SADLER, ERICK S. SERMON, GEORGE JR. CLINTON, JAMES HENRY BOXLEY III
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mike Bravo
always got this jam stuck in my head
Kim Mitchell
👍
Exclusive Footage
That sample is EVERYTHING right now!!!! 😆
Quintin Simms
I first time I heard this jam, I was driving to LA from Rochester,NY. I heard it in gallop nm of all places. The summer of 2004 I was bumping this and lil flip sunshine.
Merijn van keulen
e sermon is fucking underrated
Zéguinho Music
absurdamente fóda
anenome
in my top five all time rappers.
Ernest Chikoto
Banger!
Kim Mitchell
2021
Kim Mitchell
Yeah my nigga