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.
Love Iz
Erick Sermon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"As we proceed.."
[E-Dub] Holla at ya boy - "People in the house"
[E-Dub] Scream at me - "aiight"
[Verse One]
(Love is) - Yeah, music that you feel good
Neighborhood hood, gully
For the folks young and old and infants can hear it
(Love is) - Knowin the rap game is not the same
And still I came
Whoever killed 'Pac and Smalls, they're lame
Erick Sermon, learn my name
(Love is) - When I come through your spot
With no security guards, just me and the Squad, uhh
I got love, a cat got checked by a fan
Holdin me down, I got street respect
(Love is) - When true fans who don't believe in rumors
Real consumers, who love what I'm doin
That's why I.. "PROCEED!"
Superman, the E don't bleed
[Chorus]
(Love is) - Yeah, never hatin
Everybody's out there is (people)
Yeah, why you want to take my car, so we can be
(Walkin together)
(Love is) - Def Squad, Keith Murray
Redman, that's my (people)
Conversate with the next man, so we can be
(Talkin together)
[Erick Sermon]
(Love is) - When the planes hit
And the world got together like baseballs and mitts
New York's Finest, so I represent my home
Hold weight on this microphone
(Love is) - When I pray for my enemies
If drama cats get smoked like chimneys
I'm not dyin for a fake thug who need a hug
Not E-Dub - "I'm focused man" {Jay-Z}
(Love is) - When your man got your back
And, hold you down when no one's around, and
Bless that, and get that money
And then pass it around so nobody's hungry
(Love is) - I do what I do
When I can do it like no other to help my brother
And, I hope racism as a whole
don't walk through life, with a blindfold
[Chorus]
(Love is) - Showin love to those
who paved the way, that's my (people)
Politic with Al Green, and now we're
(Singin together)
(Love is) - Yeah doin it for black and white
That's my (people)
Get tight altogether, so we can be
(Livin together)
[Erick Sermon]
(Love is) - Yeah, to be able to live
With a, beautiful chick and a couple of kids
Uhh, with foreign cars, a house on land
I'm blessed no doubt why'all - "Check this out"
(Love is) - When your man can't pay the bills
And you loaned him a couple of bills, uh
Now that's real, I come from the heart told ya
Erick Sermon, the underground soldier
(Love is) - Yeah, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye
And that's what I rock every day
And take what they say, and then relay
When I are-A-P for why'all to play
(Love is) - Yeah, God Almighty
The Alpha Omega, there's no one greater
Then comes your moms, your fam is second
And love is, the name of this record
[Chorus]
(Love is) - Yeah, rockin the house
for hip-hop underground (people)
Yeah it's only one God, whatever you call him we still
(Prayin together)
(Love is) - Yeah, for all my true dawgs out there
why'all my (people)
I'm in the house, cold lampin, and we're
(Livin together)
(Singin together.. what it is)
(Love is.. love is..)
The song Love Iz by Erick Sermon conveys the message that love is all-encompassing and can be found in different forms. It starts off with E-Dub, aka Erick Sermon, hyping up the crowd before proceeding with the first verse. In the verse, Sermon talks about how love can be expressed through music that makes people feel good, and even young infants can benefit from it. He asserts that real love is knowing that the rap game has evolved and still coming through as a legendary artist, unlike those who killed Tupac and Biggie. Sermon also discusses how love can be shown by being true to your fans, who believe in your music and what you represent, regardless of any rumors or lies.
Sermon then gives examples of how he perceives love, like a community coming together after a tragedy (plane crash), representing his home (New York City) through his music, and not dying for “fake thugs” who need a hug. One of the highlights is when he talks about doing things for his brother-man in need, without any expectations or strings attached. Love is about lending someone money when they can’t pay their bills or holding them down when there is no one around. He gives a nod to Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, whose music he admires, and God Almighty, the Alpha Omega, who he sees as the greatest.
The chorus reinforces the message that love is about “people” (the community). It’s about walking together, talking together, and living together, regardless of skin color or background. They’ll sing together, pray together, and be there for each other, so nobody’s hungry, and everyone can share in the wealth. Love is ultimately what ties everything together and makes it all work.
Line by Line Meaning
(Love is) - Yeah, music that you feel good
Love is being able to listen to music that instantly improves your mood
Neighborhood hood, gully
Love is the vibe of the community, friends and family around you
Roll through cause it's cool to boost the spirit
Love is the act of coming to an area to uplift and cheer up people
For the folks young and old and infants can hear it
Love is making an experience available to everyone, even infants
(Love is) - Knowin the rap game is not the same
Love is understanding the rap industry has no camaraderie
And still I came
Love is Erick's reason of embracing the rap industry gracefully despite the disharmony
Whoever killed 'Pac and Smalls, they're lame
Love is the fact that whoever killed Tupac and Biggie Smalls was a coward
Erick Sermon, learn my name
Love is asking people to get to know him and his message
(Love is) - When I come through your spot
Love is when Erick comes to your location
With no security guards, just me and the Squad, uhh
Love is the trust he has with his fans
I got love, a cat got checked by a fan
Love is when a fan decides to call out bad behavior
Holdin me down, I got street respect
Love is when people vouch for him and show him continuous support on the streets
(Love is) - When true fans who don't believe in rumors
Love is when his real fans do not believe in his negative press
Real consumers, who love what I'm doin
Love is when his supporters understand the heart of his work
That's why I.. "PROCEED!"
Love is his motivation for continuing to pursue his goals
Superman, the E don't bleed
Love is his belief that he is powerful and unmatched
(Love is) - Yeah, never hatin
Love is the ability and attitude to never hate
Everybody's out there is (people)
Love is the understanding that everyone deserves respect
Yeah, why you want to take my car, so we can be
Love is the act of giving someone a ride instead of judging why they need one
(Walkin together)
Love is the ability to journey with others through difficult circumstances
(Love is) - Def Squad, Keith Murray
Love is the relationships with artists like Murray and the wider Def Squad
Redman, that's my (people)
Love is the friendship he has with Redman
Conversate with the next man, so we can be
Love is the act of having conversations with other individuals to build strong connections
(Talkin together)
Love is the ability to dialogue in order to resolve differences
(Love is) - When the planes hit
Love is the act of coming together in times of crisis
And the world got together like baseballs and mitts
Love is the way humans come together in times of adversity
New York's Finest, so I represent my home
Love is his connection with his hometown
Hold weight on this microphone
Love is the power of his voice to influence others
(Love is) - When I pray for my enemies
Love is the act of holding no grudges against his haters
If drama cats get smoked like chimneys
Love is making it clear that he doesn't condone violence against his haters
I'm not dyin for a fake thug who need a hug
Love is refusing to engage in the negative attitude of some rappers
Not E-Dub - "I'm focused man" {Jay-Z}
Love is his unwavering dedication to his music
(Love is) - When your man got your back
Love is the knowledge that his friends have his back no matter what
And, hold you down when no one's around, and
Love is when his friends show loyalty in his absence
Bless that, and get that money
Love is when he is able count on his friends to be there for him in good times and bad
And then pass it around so nobody's hungry
Love is also giving back to the community so everyone has enough to eat
(Love is) - I do what I do
Love is the reason behind his commitment to his craft
When I can do it like no other to help my brother
Love is sharing his talents in order to uplift and support others
And, I hope racism as a whole
Love is his desire for an end to racism
don't walk through life, with a blindfold
Love is the hope that people will become aware of and address the problem of racism
(Love is) - Showin love to those
Love is the act of showing respect and gratitude to those who paved the way
who paved the way, that's my (people)
Love is the respect he has for those who came before him
Politic with Al Green, and now we're
Love is his camaraderie with Al Green and other musical legends
(Singin together)
Love is the power of music to bring people together
(Love is) - Yeah doin it for black and white
Love is the understanding that love transcends skin color
That's my (people)
Love is Erick's acknowledgment of the various types of people that support him
Get tight altogether, so we can be
Love is the hope that people from all walks of life can come together in unity
(Livin together)
Love is the desire for racial unity and world peace
(Love is) - When your man can't pay the bills
Love is helping someone in a time of financial need
And you loaned him a couple of bills, uh
Love is lending money to someone to help them get through a tough time
Now that's real, I come from the heart told ya
Love is when his actions come from a genuine place, not obligation
Erick Sermon, the underground soldier
Love is his willingness to continue fighting for what he believes in despite not being mainstream
(Love is) - Yeah, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye
Love is his admiration for and inspiration from fellow musicians
And that's what I rock every day
Love is the power of music in his daily life
And take what they say, and then relay
Love is the importance of passing on the message of previous generations
When I are-A-P for why'all to play
Love is when he puts himself out there consistently, so people can hear his music
(Love is) - Yeah, God Almighty
Love is his spiritual connection with a higher power
The Alpha Omega, there's no one greater
Love is the feeling of worship toward God and the belief that nothing is greater than Him
Then comes your moms, your fam is second
Love is the importance of family
And love is, the name of this record
Love is the theme and message of this song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: AL L. GREEN, MABON HODGES, ERICK S. SERMON, DARRYL MCDANIELS, JOSEPH WARD SIMMONS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gusplays 314
Underrated banger to feel good to..!!
Andrew Flood
i luv this freaking song by erick sermon !!!
Ram Dogg
Erick the Ice cream flowmaster! True s***. Mr. Heavyskill weight Rap champion! Keep it rockin!
Christian Follower
Does anyone know all the samples that were used in this song, especially the vocal samples that was used in this song? I want to make sure. For some reason on the album it states that this song samples Run DMC - King, what part of RUN DMC - King was sampled and in Erick Sermon's "Love Iz"? Thanks.
Billy SouL Music
🔥🔥🔥
Short$ight32
Underated asf
Christian Follower
Does anyone know all the samples that were used in this song, especially the vocal samples that was used in this song? I want to make sure. For some reason on the album it states that this song samples Run DMC - King, what part of RUN DMC - King was sampled and in Erick Sermon's "Love Iz"? Thanks.
Christian Follower
What is the sample that keeps saying/stating as we proceed? Thanks.
Short$ight32
@Christian Follower its from sexual healing by marvin gaye and a couple Al Green ones
CPT Observer
does anyone know what platform this song can be found on please? thanks and appreciation in advance.