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.
React
Erick Sermon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just Blaze, yeah
Check me out now
Yo, yo, yo, yo, check me out now
Yo, yo, yo,
Let me hear ya say
Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh
Put your hands in the air everybody, c'mon
[Verse One: Erick Sermon]
Hey yo, I'm immaculate, come through masculine
Wide-body frame, E-Dub's the name, whoa
In the field of rap, I'm supurb, I'm fly
I should be in the sky with birds
I ride 20 inch rims when I lean, yo
(Hey yo, them tens, nigga)
I know, I keep 'em clean though
Come through stormin' the block like El Nino
Scoop up an Arabic chick before she close
She goes, those my people
Yeah, them broads from Puerto Rico, them Keith's folks
Yeah, watch how the "E" locs 64
Black rags, black interior, shift on the floor
Burn out, I do it for the kids
They're hoppin' the turn style, the "E" goin' wild
Yo, like them white chicks on a DVD
Yeah, I'm worldwide, MTV and BET, nigga
[1] - Whateva' she said, then I'm that
If this here rocks to y'all, then react
Whateva' she said, then I'm that
If this here rocks to y'all, then react
[Verse Two: Redman]
Yo, do I gotta go ape or go nutty
I leave your eye like a 9-9 Benz-buggy, puffy
Brick niggas get real ugly
Trust me, keep your four if you feel lucky
Mug me, I ain't got nothin' but four figures
And weed and hash chopped in the coffee blender
My shots like squeegy men on your window
Usual suspect, I'm the crippled member
Get away when I sat down in the office
Heat in my lap keep me walkin' awkward
While y'all talk it, the doc reinforce it
The mic, it's hard to keep my paws off it
Yo' bitch is my bitch when it's over
No Cristal, I pulled up with King Cobra
Out in the Nova, don't bother
My Nino Brown bust, it'll shut down the corridor
[Repeat 1]
[Verse Three]
Hey yo Red, he's over (Word?) with his shit right now
Watch this, told ya
Chi-chi-chi-chi-chi-chi-chi-chi-chi-chillin', I'm +Milk+
I'm that kid +Gizmo+, we "Top Billin'"
Yo, when the roof is on fire, believe it, it's me
Sparks when I rock the mic like Segal & Free
When the pen hit the pad, the evil in me come out
Total recall for people to breathe
I got dogs in the backyard shittin' their lawns
We got chickens ain't leaving 'till six in the morning
Round and round we go, circle the area
Leave the party, go straight to the Marriott
Dozy-doe with cowboys where they saddle at
Rodeo with 20 fours on the Cadillac
What your name is, yo, R.E.D.
Crack cost money, but the "E" is free, yeah
[Repeat 1 until fade]
The lyrics of Erick Sermon's "React" are a typical representation of early 2000s rap. The song features two other prominent members of the Def Jam family, Redman and Just Blaze. Erick Sermon starts the first verse by affirming his position as a rap kingpin with a confident flow. He boasts about his wealth, flying ability, and success in the music industry, likening himself to birds in the sky. Erick Sermon completes his verse by capturing his popularity on TV channels such as MTV and BET.
Redman, in the second verse, continues with the same energy as Erick Sermon. He brags about his wealth and musical talent as he delivers his rhymes. Redman makes several references to famous characters in popular culture. He mentions the Nova and Nino Brown a fictional character from the film New Jack City. The third verse from Erick Sermon features him rapping alongside Redman, and here they are more focused on having fun and enjoying themselves.
Overall, "React" is a classic rap song with a laid-back beat and lyrics that center around money, power, and respect among one's peers.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey yo, I'm immaculate, come through masculine
I am impeccable and impressive; when I arrive, I exude confidence and strength.
Wide-body frame, E-Dub's the name, whoa
I have a large, well-built physique, and my name is E-Dub (which is short for Erick Sermon).
In the field of rap, I'm supurb, I'm fly
When it comes to rapping, I am exceptional and stylish.
I should be in the sky with birds
I am so great that I should be flying high in the sky with the birds.
I ride 20 inch rims when I lean, yo (Hey yo, them tens, nigga) I know, I keep 'em clean though
My car has large 20-inch wheels, and they look good when I lean to one side. I know they are only 10s, but I take good care of them and keep them clean.
Come through stormin' the block like El Nino
When I arrive in the neighborhood, it's like a storm is coming through, just like the weather phenomenon El Nino.
Scoop up an Arabic chick before she close
I grab an Arabic girl before she leaves the area.
She goes, those my people, yeah, them broads from Puerto Rico, them Keith's folks
She tells me that those are her people – specifically, the girls from Puerto Rico who are friends with Keith.
Yeah, watch how the "E" locs 64
Watch me as I drive my 1964 Chevrolet Impala, which people also call a '64.
Black rags, black interior, shift on the floor
My car has a black ragtop and black interior, and the gear shifter is on the floor.
Burn out, I do it for the kids
I do a burnout (spin my wheels and make a lot of tire smoke) for the kids to enjoy.
They're hoppin' the turn style, the "E" goin' wild
While I do my burnout, the kids are jumping over subway turnstiles, and I'm going crazy with excitement.
Yo, like them white chicks on a DVD
I'm as famous as those white girls you see on DVDs (meaning pornographic movies).
Yeah, I'm worldwide, MTV and BET, nigga
My fame has spread all over the world, and I've even been on TV channels like MTV and BET (Black Entertainment Television).
Whateva' she said, then I'm that
Whatever that girl said, I'm whatever she wants me to be or whatever she said I am.
If this here rocks to y'all, then react
If this music is good and enjoyable to all of you, then show me by reacting (dancing or cheering).
Yo, do I gotta go ape or go nutty
Do I need to act crazy and wild to get your attention?
I leave your eye like a 9-9 Benz-buggy, puffy
If I hit you, your eye will puff up and look like the front of a 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR race car.
Brick niggas get real ugly, trust me
If I get into a fight with tough guys, things will get ugly.
Keep your four if you feel lucky
If you think you're lucky and you have a gun with four bullets, keep it on you.
Mug me, I ain't got nothin' but four figures
If you try to rob me, it won't be worth it because I only have a few thousand dollars.
And weed and hash chopped in the coffee blender
I mix marijuana and hashish in a coffee blender to make a drug concoction.
My shots like squeegy men on your window
My gunshots are like squeegee men who clean windows – they're relentless and won't stop until they're done.
Usual suspect, I'm the crippled member
I'm part of the usual suspects, but I'm the one who is considered disabled or disadvantaged in some way.
Get away when I sat down in the office
People need to leave when I arrive in the office because things will get intense.
Heat in my lap keep me walkin' awkward
I have a gun in my lap, which makes me walk awkwardly.
While y'all talk it, the doc reinforce it
While other people talk about doing things, I actually do them, and the doctor agrees with me.
The mic, it's hard to keep my paws off it
I love rapping so much that it's difficult for me to stop or take a break.
Yo' bitch is my bitch when it's over
When everything is said and done, your girlfriend will be mine, too.
No Cristal, I pulled up with King Cobra
I didn't arrive with expensive champagne like Cristal – instead, I brought the cheap malt liquor King Cobra.
Out in the Nova, don't bother
I'm driving in a Chevy Nova, so don't try to mess with me.
My Nino Brown bust, it'll shut down the corridor
If I shoot my gun like the gangster Nino Brown from the movie New Jack City, it will make everyone in the hallway run away and shut down the area.
Hey yo Red, he's over (Word?) with his shit right now
Hey Redman, he's not doing well with his rapping right now (is what people are saying).
Watch this, told ya
Just watch me and see – I know what I'm doing.
Chi-chi-chi-chi-chi-chi-chi-chi-chi-chillin', I'm +Milk+
I'm cool and relaxed, just like the rapper Milk from the 1980s group Audio Two.
I'm that kid +Gizmo+, we "Top Billin'"
I'm like the Gremlins character Gizmo, and we're achieving success and fame like the Audio Two song 'Top Billin'.'
Yo, when the roof is on fire, believe it, it's me
When something amazing is happening or there's a lot of excitement, it's because of me.
Sparks when I rock the mic like Segal & Free
When I'm rapping, it's like I'm a martial arts actor like Steven Segal causing sparks, and I'm also like a DJ like Funk Flex playing music for free (or for fun).
When the pen hit the pad, the evil in me come out
When I start writing raps, the darkness inside of me is released and comes out on the paper.
Total recall for people to breathe
My rhymes are so amazing that it's like people have to take a deep breath and remember everything that was said.
I got dogs in the backyard shittin' their lawns
I have dogs in my backyard who are defecating on my property.
We got chickens ain't leaving 'till six in the morning
I have chickens who are staying out and making noise until six in the morning.
Round and round we go, circle the area
We're driving in circles and keeping in the same area of town.
Leave the party, go straight to the Marriott
We're leaving the party and going to the Marriott hotel.
Dozy-doe with cowboys where they saddle at
We're going to dance the do-si-do with cowboys where they keep their saddles.
Rodeo with 20 fours on the Cadillac
We're going to take part in a rodeo competition with my Cadillac that has large 24-inch wheels.
What your name is, yo, R.E.D.
What's your name? My name is R.E.D. (Redman's initials).
Crack cost money, but the "E" is free, yeah
Drugs like crack cost a lot of money, but my name (Erick Sermon's initials) is free – you can say it anytime you want.
Whateva' she said, then I'm that
Whatever that girl said, I'm whatever she wants me to be or whatever she said I am.
If this here rocks to y'all, then react
If this music is good and enjoyable to all of you, then show me by reacting (dancing or cheering).
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Erick S. Sermon, Justin Smith, Reggie Noble
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mbusodube2049
If you want everything in your life to be in order, your health,your finances, your relationships with family, friends and all your loved ones as well as kids
Trust in the name and the power of Our Lord Jesus Christ, The Father and The Holy Spirit.
Say this Prayer to ask God for Freedom in Christ Jesus.
●Say: Jesus Christ i ask you to please come into my heart and be my Lord and Saviour, please Bless my soul and make me a true child of God.
Thank you for saving me and setting me free. In Jesus name. Amen
.
GOD LOVES YOU**
@mbusodube2049
If you want everything in your life to be in order, your health,your finances, your relationships with family, friends and all your loved ones as well as kids
Trust in the name and the power of Our Lord Jesus Christ, The Father and The Holy Spirit.
Say this Prayer to ask God for Freedom in Christ Jesus.
●Say: Jesus Christ i ask you to please come into my heart and be my Lord and Saviour, please Bless my soul and make me a true child of God.
Thank you for saving me and setting me free. In Jesus name. Amen
.
GOD LOVES YOU**
@alanako4088
Just realised how blessed we were those days our 90s early 2000s music unbeatable
@mikepower596
Betterdayz 👀💯👊🏿
@mbusodube2049
If you want everything in your life to be in order, your health,your finances, your relationships with family, friends and all your loved ones as well as kids
Trust in the name and the power of Our Lord Jesus Christ, The Father and The Holy Spirit.
Say this Prayer to ask God for Freedom in Christ Jesus.
●Say: Jesus Christ i ask you to please come into my heart and be my Lord and Saviour, please Bless my soul and make me a true child of God.
Thank you for saving me and setting me free. In Jesus name. Amen
.
GOD LOVES YOU**
@TheWayBesst
90s and 2000s were peak entertainment and society in general
@beyondabovemedia
Probably my favorite 2 bars in hip hop. "In the field of rap I'm superb. I'm fly. I should be in the sky with birds." Such a fun song.
@mbusodube2049
If you want everything in your life to be in order, your health,your finances, your relationships with family, friends and all your loved ones as well as kids
Trust in the name and the power of Our Lord Jesus Christ, The Father and The Holy Spirit.
Say this Prayer to ask God for Freedom in Christ Jesus.
●Say: Jesus Christ i ask you to please come into my heart and be my Lord and Saviour, please Bless my soul and make me a true child of God.
Thank you for saving me and setting me free. In Jesus name. Amen
.
GOD LOVES YOU**
@krishangunaratne5001
@@mbusodube2049Amen in Jesus name Amen
@deeonline4559
Amen, but I think its the Holy Mother @@mbusodube2049
@MobbJusticeTV
Almost two decades later and this song still goes in!
@microfarming8583
Golden Age of Hip Hop for me. The girls so god damn beautiful in the video no face jabs and botox back then just natural gorgeousness