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.
Relentless
Erick Sermon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Erick Sermon]
Yeah, all day yeah, uh
Turn me up, uh-huh...it's serious
Headphones turn me up
{Recordings indistinct)
It's cool and capture
I feel like Blondie caught in the rapture
Rappers and those who try to offend me
From false accusations they had heard from Wendy (Hello Erick)
I'm in the game to play
For those cats on the sideline callin me gay, huntin
Don't be the broads cause niggaz
Mad cause I'm baggin chicks that look as bad as Jigga's (tell 'em)
And make seven figures, a rap icon
I'm the one kid in the biz to keep your eyes on
Me, Superman, I fell from the window
If I fly high, then why drive a benzo
In drive a 'lac, in drive a hummer
In drive is something brand-new this summer (tell 'em)
The operator, I got your number
Don't act like I don't flow like water, call the plumber (uh-huh)
Something tryna stop the E from gettin large
I feel like the Beastie Boys in Sabotage
In all five boroughs, I pissed on trees
I'm a dog (arroo), ask Rockwilder please
There's some fake cats, they talk behind me
A few A&R's sayin they won't sign me (uh-huh)
Cause they see my face and think I'm done
Meanwhile, I'm the black Neo, yes the one (one)
While they sign they brother or friend or they man
That's supposed to blow, he's a no-show
And that's why the game is shutdown
Every major player that's in it, been changed around (tell 'em)
But I'm still standin and got something to say
The boy is still here like LL and Dre
I sat down with Russell and Def Jam team
I sat down with Suge and Jimmy Ivine
I sat down with Sylvia, sat down with Tommy
Sat down with Clive Davis and no favors
I got booked at dark
And this might be my last huh-rah
I'ma rock now until tomorrow
Some ask about EPMD's prognosis
But it won't happen til P get focused
I won't be compared to Nas or Jada
But I'ma punish the game for it's foul behavior
And why'all got it backwards
Those ain't real MC's, those is actors
Cast of Fear Factor (tell 'em)
I agree with Missy
No creativity in the game no more
It's the same old bore
A few people in the biz know what's happenin
The fans don't know, they think I'm platinum
Cause they hear the record gettin played 4,000 times on every station
But at the same time hate...disc jockeys
If I'm over, explain how I do it
In 2001 I shut it down with "Music" (hmmm)
If I'm whack, why in 2002, yes it's true, I made cats react (uh-huh)
Source might not quote this here
It might not be nothin but I wrote this here
Like Eminem said, you want to be Erick Sermon (that's the truth)
But you a generic version (let's go)
Aight why'all, enough talk
Welcome to Chilltown, New York
The song "Relentless" by Erick Sermon is a statement of both defiance and confidence. He speaks to his detractors, those that would belittle his talent and ability. The lyrics delve into various themes such as being accused of defamatory statements by Wendy Williams, homophobic accusations, and comparisons to the greats such as LL Cool J and Dr. Dre. Throughout the song, Sermon asserts himself as a force to be reckoned with. He notes that he is always evolving, making references to his various trials and errors along the way. Sermon hammers home that he cannot be stopped, no matter who tries to put him down. Ultimately, the song is about being proud of who he is and proving his worth to those who doubted him.
Line by Line Meaning
Phone ringing, recording indistinct
The song starts with an indistinct recording.
Yeah, all day yeah, uh
Erick is enthusiastic about the song and is ready to sing.
Turn me up, uh-huh...it's serious
Erick wants his fans to turn the volume up; he believes this song is significant.
Headphones turn me up
Erick is asking fans to plug in their headphones for a better quality of sound.
{Recordings indistinct)
Another indistinct recording.
This is somethin that you need to hear
Erick believes the song's message is essential for fans to listen to.
It's cool and capture
The song is excellent and captivating.
I feel like Blondie caught in the rapture
Erick relates to being caught in the moment like Blondie in the song 'Rapture.'
Rappers and those who try to offend me
Erick is aware that some rappers and people try to harm or question him.
From false accusations they had heard from Wendy (Hello Erick)
Erick had false rumors started by a person named Wendy.
I'm in the game to play
Erick is in the music industry for a legitimate career.
For those cats on the sideline callin me gay, huntin
Some individuals accused Erick of being homosexual.
Don't be the broads cause niggaz
Erick warns others not to have his personality traits.
Mad cause I'm baggin chicks that look as bad as Jigga's (tell 'em)
Erick is dating women who are less attractive than Jay-Z's.
And make seven figures, a rap icon
Erick Sermon is a wealthy and famous hip-hop musician.
I'm the one kid in the biz to keep your eyes on
Erick Sermon is the only musician people should be watching in the music industry.
Me, Superman, I fell from the window
Erick humorously compares himself to Superman and how he falls in a similar manner when he soars high.
If I fly high, then why drive a benzo
Erick asks why he should drive a car when he can fly high.
In drive a 'lac, in drive a hummer
Erick likes to drive different types of vehicles.
In drive is something brand-new this summer (tell 'em)
Erick is proud to own a new car that he wants his fans to know about.
The operator, I got your number
Erick is in dominion over others.
Don't act like I don't flow like water, call the plumber (uh-huh)
Erick's skills are similar to flowing water that won't turn off. So, if you're having issues, call a plumber to fix it.
Something tryna stop the E from gettin large
An obstacle is in front of Erick to stop him from succeeding.
I feel like the Beastie Boys in Sabotage
The vibe is similar to Beastie Boys' 'Sabotage' music video - specifically, the funky-rocky tone.
In all five boroughs, I pissed on trees
Erick has a dog-like ego and pisses everywhere in every part of town.
I'm a dog (arroo), ask Rockwilder please
Erick uses a dog sound effect and tells people to confirm his dog-like status with fellow producer, Rockwilder.
There's some fake cats, they talk behind me
Erick is aware that some people are fake and talk negatively about him behind his back.
A few A&R's sayin they won't sign me (uh-huh)
Some recordings companies are hesitant to get Erick signed.
Cause they see my face and think I'm done
Since Erick is older and has been in the music for a long time, people think he's done.
Meanwhile, I'm the black Neo, yes the one (one)
Erick compares himself to the character Neo from the movie 'The Matrix' as a way of saying he's the one who will save the music industry.
While they sign they brother or friend or they man
Recording companies look out for their family or friends before offering a selected few a contract.
That's supposed to blow, he's a no-show
The promised musician is not showing up for his signed contract.
And that's why the game is shutdown
The music industry has been struggling because of unreliable musicians and signing companies.
Every major player that's in it, been changed around (tell 'em)
The music industry is constantly changing with new record labels and musicians, leaving out some of the older musicians.
But I'm still standin and got something to say
Erick is still standing tall and has many more songs to write.
The boy is still here like LL and Dre
Erick compares himself to other musicians like LL Cool J and Dr. Dre, who had significant impacts on the music industry.
I sat down with Russell and Def Jam team
Erick discusses meeting with Russell Simmons and the Def Jam label team.
I sat down with Suge and Jimmy Ivine
Erick discusses meeting with record executives Suge Knight and Jimmy Iovine.
I sat down with Sylvia, sat down with Tommy
Erick discusses meeting with record executives Sylvia Rhone and Tommy Mattola.
Sat down with Clive Davis and no favors
Erick discusses meeting with record executive Clive Davis and how he didn't receive any special treatment.
I got booked at dark
Erick was booked for an event in the evening or night time.
And this might be my last huh-rah
Erick is considering this event as his last great show.
I'ma rock now until tomorrow
Erick plans to rock the show until the next day.
Some ask about EPMD's prognosis
People inquire about Erick's music group, EPMD, and their future predictions.
But it won't happen til P get focused
Erick refers to his partner, PMD (Parrish Smith), who needs to be focused before the group makes any new songs.
I won't be compared to Nas or Jada
Erick hates being compared to other rappers like Nas or Jadakiss.
But I'ma punish the game for it's foul behavior
Erick will write songs to punish the music industry for its terrible actions.
And why'all got it backwards
Erick is upset because his fans have been incorrect about his song's meaning.
Those ain't real MC's, those is actors
Erick is saying that the new crop of 'MC's' are not real and only pretending to be.
Cast of Fear Factor (tell 'em)
Erick believes that the new MCs are similar physically to the contestants of the TV show, 'Fear Factor.'
I agree with Missy
Erick agrees with Missy Elliott.
No creativity in the game no more
Erick believes there's a significant shortage of creativity in the modern music industry.
It's the same old bore
The music has been mediocre and non-original.
A few people in the biz know what's happenin
Only the fortunate few know what's going on in the industry.
The fans don't know, they think I'm platinum
Erick's fans believe he's trending high in the music industry.
Cause they hear the record gettin played 4,000 times on every station
Erick's fans hear his songs frequently on the radio.
But at the same time hate...disc jockeys
Despite the songs getting played a lot, some disc jockeys do not like Erick or his music.
If I'm over, explain how I do it
Erick challenges the naysayers to offer explanations of how he can still be thriving in the music industry.
In 2001 I shut it down with 'Music' (hmmm)
Erick believes his song 'Music' was a turning point in his career in 2001.
If I'm whack, why in 2002, yes it's true, I made cats react (uh-huh)
Erick wrote a fantastic song in 2002, showing he is not talentless.
Source might not quote this here
Erick is unsure of how the Source Magazine would quote him and his words.
It might not be nothin but I wrote this here
Erick wrote this song as a statement to the music industry.
Like Eminem said, you want to be Erick Sermon (that's the truth)
Eminem praised Erick Sermon and reminded people they should aspire to be like him.
But you a generic version (let's go)
Eminem is saying that the person he praised is standing there but is nothing more than a copycat of Erick Sermon.
Aight why'all, enough talk
Erick believes it is time to end the discussion.
Welcome to Chilltown, New York
The song ends with a greeting to his hometown, Chilltown, New York.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DOUGLAS INGLE, ERICK SERMON, ERICK S. SERMON, ERIK BRAUNN, RON BUSHY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dalmar David Khalif
:D I´ve been havin that talk so often, and with the time I developed this picture:
Imagine there is a Goddess of Bassline, representing the accoustically perfect foundation to a Song; yet most of the time she would hardly ever give´ it up.
But from time to time she´s wildin´ out with a song, looking for relief. Like that one time when she did all the members of QUEEN, for under pressure, and tryin again a few nights later with "Another one bites the dust".
She had Affairs with all the great Names, fucking the shit out of Eric clapton to nearly every of his Songs for a time;
or flying to India to have a tantric, out of body experience, next Level Fuck with the White Stripes.
BUT WHENEVER SHE NEEDS IT GOOD; GETTIN ALL OF HER NEEDS TAKEN CARE OF... She´s stayin over at Erick Sermons place, cause he´s the only one who feels her. ;)
DAVID BURNS
He's is truly a legend in hip hop. I have nothing but respect for Eric Sermon. He keeps it real in hip hop
kuunami
The most underrated producer in Hip hop history.
zlistcelebrity
True story.
NEVER heard anything wack from Sermon.
kuunami
zlistcelebrity Neither have I. I wish he would get the respect he deserves in the industry.
Dalmar David Khalif
:D I´ve been havin that talk so often, and with the time I developed this picture:
Imagine there is a Goddess of Bassline, representing the accoustically perfect foundation to a Song; yet most of the time she would hardly ever give´ it up.
But from time to time she´s wildin´ out with a song, looking for relief. Like that one time when she did all the members of QUEEN, for under pressure, and tryin again a few nights later with "Another one bites the dust".
She had Affairs with all the great Names, fucking the shit out of Eric clapton to nearly every of his Songs for a time;
or flying to India to have a tantric, out of body experience, next Level Fuck with the White Stripes.
BUT WHENEVER SHE NEEDS IT GOOD; GETTIN ALL OF HER NEEDS TAKEN CARE OF... She´s stayin over at Erick Sermons place, cause he´s the only one who feels her. ;)
James Maisiri
interesting,
paystyles
kuunami Havoc is another underrated producer
EnWhyCee
one of the most underrated beats, straight fire
Ten Slider
word up fam.
Twin G
Yes 😁