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.
Let Me Explain
Erick Sermon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Was born with dopeness, just why you inherit
This is why I'm hot
Playboy, approach me wrong
This is why I shot
Ball, I get the game from my pop
Till everyone know my name
The game don't stop
Until I'm big as Rihanna and Mason's rock
While you love Sosa, I'm over here
Loving this RG3 redskin that's on my sofa
Her ass alone, man, bigger than Oprah
Puerto Rican and Dominican, first name Rosa
Anyway, let me explain one time
Foowzy, we up in here making the movie
Check slate, it's a wrap
I'm a bigger nigga with figure
You figure how's that
But wait, let me explain this
But wait, let me explain this
Say I'm the best
Little ass nigga, say It with your chest
Hey, hey nigga look real quick
Hey, hey nigga look real quick
Hey, hey nigga look real quick
Hey, hey nigga look real quick
My money bigger than homie
You funny niggas is phony
Tony told me just show me so I gotta get mine
Let me just slip into the back of the wide
Open your eyes, let your window down
Now you on the passenger side
Get in, now you get it, better yet, with it
One come test me now
Tell 'em the line get it
And bit them off a chip or
The block or the wood
Little homie couldn't rock if he could
Click cocking and pull
Hip hoping over the lot of the bull
And yes, I am paid in full
For shizzle minizay
That's all I'mma here say
All kisses cause I'm too mean
Too cold, too slick
Hey, hey nigga look quick
That nigga Snoop about to take your
Bitch with no hesitation or explanation
Like a room full of black, uproar heat
They see the flow back, getting all geek
It's like I'm Pete Charles, from Mall Street
They come and count money but talk cheap
But rappers walk quick and I'm all feet
Every line authentic, that's all me
My man son autistic, that's low key
That Wire I go and get it, I'm so G
That why with the fittest, so low key
Thats why killer critic with no fee
Then tell the judge I did it and go free
E, double E, my codeine, letst
Throw the book at em, what's your plea?
Guilty as charged
Thats how it is when you're guilty or charged
Took a bunch of death artists
And built me a squad
What's today's mad bill with the guard
We eat women in cars
Lock the game down I'm givin it bars
What is life if you ain't living it large?
If you ain't living it large go get the
Price check it and get you a job but wait
The lyrics to "Let Me Explain" by Erick Sermon, Snoop Dogg, and Method Man convey a sense of confidence and self-assuredness. The opening lines, "I'm like go, team Eric', I / Was born with dopeness, just why you inherit / This is why I'm hot / Playboy, approach me wrong / This is why I shot," highlight the artist's belief in their own talent and success. They feel that their inherent talent is what sets them apart and justifies their success.
The verses also touch on fame and popularity, with references to celebrities such as Rihanna and Mason, suggesting that the artist aspires to reach their level of fame. They boast about their own allure, in lines like "Her ass alone, man, bigger than Oprah" and proudly identify their cultural background as Puerto Rican and Dominican.
The chorus, "But wait, let me explain this," serves as a confident interruption, asserting the artist's claim to being the best and challenging any opposition. The lyrics emphasize the artist's financial success, stating "My money bigger than homie / You funny niggas is phony." They are determined to prove their worth and assert their dominance in the industry.
Overall, "Let Me Explain" is a braggadocious and self-assured track, showcasing the artists' confidence in their abilities and their desire for recognition and success.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm like go, team Eric', I
I'm supportive and aligned with Eric Sermon
Was born with dopeness, just why you inherit
I have always been cool and talented, while you just inherited your coolness
This is why I'm hot
This is why I'm popular and successful
Playboy, approach me wrong
If you disrespect me, there will be consequences
This is why I shot
That's why I take action against those who disrespect me
Ball, I get the game from my pop
I learned how to play the game from my father
Till everyone know my name
I will continue to work hard until everyone recognizes my talent
The game don't stop
Success and fame in the industry are continuous
So I keep pumping the block
I keep putting out music and staying active in the scene
Until I'm big as Rihanna and Mason's rock
I want to become as popular and influential as Rihanna and Mason (Betha's) rock
While you love Sosa, I'm over here
While you are a fan of Chief Keef's song 'Love Sosa', I'm focused on something else
Loving this RG3 redskin that's on my sofa
I'm enjoying watching the Washington Redskins' quarterback RG3 play on TV
Her ass alone, man, bigger than Oprah
She has a large buttocks, even bigger than Oprah Winfrey
Puerto Rican and Dominican, first name Rosa
She is of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent, with the first name Rosa
Anyway, let me explain one time
Regardless of the previous statements, let me clarify further
Foowzy, we up in here making the movie
We are working hard and creating something great
Check slate, it's a wrap
We have finished filming or completing a project
I'm a bigger nigga with figure
I am a larger individual with a well-defined physique
You figure how's that
You can try to understand how I achieve that
But wait, let me explain this
Hold on, I need to provide further clarification
Say I'm the best
Declare that I am the greatest
Little ass nigga, say It with your chest
If you believe I'm not the best, say it with confidence and conviction
My money bigger than homie
I have more money than the person I'm referring to
You funny niggas is phony
You guys who try to be funny are fake and insincere
Tony told me just show me so I gotta get mine
Tony advised me to prove myself, so I have to pursue success
Let me just slip into the back of the wide
Allow me to discreetly enter the luxury car
Open your eyes, let your window down
Pay attention and lower your car window
Now you on the passenger side
Now you are sitting in the passenger seat of the car
Get in, now you get it, better yet, with it
Join me in this lifestyle and understand it, or even better, embrace it
One come test me now
Let anyone who wants to challenge me try it now
Tell 'em the line get it
Inform them to understand the consequences of crossing the line
And bit them off a chip or
Take the opportunity to manipulate or deceive them
The block or the wood
Whether in the streets or in the rap industry
Little homie couldn't rock if he could
The inexperienced rapper is incapable of succeeding
Click cocking and pull
Ready to take action and shoot
Hip hoping over the lot of the bull
Avoiding the nonsense and staying focused
And yes, I am paid in full
I am fully compensated for my work
For shizzle minizay
For sure, my friend
That's all I'mma here say
That's all I have to say for now
All kisses cause I'm too mean
I receive criticism because I am too tough and assertive
Too cold, too slick
I am seen as aloof and cunning
Hey, hey nigga look quick
Hey, pay attention and observe quickly
That nigga Snoop about to take your
Snoop Dogg is about to steal your
Bitch with no hesitation or explanation
Girlfriend without any doubt or need for justification
Like a room full of black, uproar heat
Similar to a chaotic and intense situation involving black individuals
They see the flow back, getting all geek
They acknowledge and appreciate my style of rapping
It's like I'm Pete Charles, from Mall Street
I am perceived as a successful and skilled individual, like Pete Charles from the movie Mall Street
They come and count money but talk cheap
They claim to have wealth, but their words lack substance
But rappers walk quick and I'm all feet
Other rappers move swiftly but I am always ahead and in control
Every line authentic, that's all me
Every lyric I deliver is genuine and represents who I am
My man son autistic, that's low key
My friend's child has autism, but he keeps it private
That Wire I go and get it, I'm so G
I go and acquire money, just like the characters in the TV show The Wire, I'm a true gangster
That why with the fittest, so low key
That's why I associate with the most successful people, but we keep it discreet
Thats why killer critic with no fee
That's why I receive harsh criticism without compensation
Then tell the judge I did it and go free
Then I confidently admit my actions to the judge and get acquitted
E, double E, my codeine, letst
The initials E.E. are my nickname, and codeine is my preferred drug
Throw the book at em, what's your plea?
I relentlessly punish them, what's their defense?
Guilty as charged
I accept responsibility for my actions
Thats how it is when you're guilty or charged
That's the consequence when you are proven guilty or charged with a crime
Took a bunch of death artists
I gathered a group of talented artists
And built me a squad
And created a team with them
What's today's mad bill with the guard
What's the current situation or plan with the leader?
We eat women in cars
We attract and seduce women in luxurious cars
Lock the game down I'm givin it bars
I dominate the rap industry by delivering outstanding performances and lyrics
What is life if you ain't living it large?
What's the point of life if you're not living it extravagantly?
If you ain't living it large go get the
If you're not living lavishly, then work hard and acquire wealth
Price check it and get you a job but wait
Evaluate the cost and benefits, and then find employment, but hold on
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mr1Mercury
Super Producer Erick Sermon keeps the dope tracks. Salute to Snoop & Meth you brothers are the essence of Hip-hop
Jusfadez
Dope song but, the remix needs Redman and Busta on it!!
Wolverine Weapon X
Legendary π―π₯π€π
str8spittin
2:51π₯π₯"TOOK A BUNCH OF DEF ARTISTS & BUILT ME A SQUAD!!!!"π₯π₯...MEF
Big LeBAUSki
Surprised there's a video to it. The song is already some years old. DOPE song!
MeNtHO SON
This is mad nice!
DJ Big Inf
This came out a while ago ....but shit still π₯π₯
Ahmido Saglam
the legend is back!
Eric Ledesma
Meth moonwalked on this one βοΈ
DJ ALLDAY
π₯π₯THE π₯π₯GREEN EYE BANDIT π₯π₯DONE IT AGAINπ₯π₯ -- SALUTE BRENTWOOD