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.
S.O.D
Erick Sermon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tit for tat, three bombs on me, we all ticking
Schizophrenic, up in the kitchen
With a black fifth up against my head, just, click, click, clickin' it
We check the barrel and start respinnin' it
We, I start, medics start sowing and restitching them
My constituents and scorpions poisonous stingers filled with opium
That will shatter ten continents and ten palatinates
Envision the vengefulness, visualize the vindictiveness
I rhyme with Sid Vicious viciousness
You be kiddin', soft like kittens
My grills are pit bulls, they will kill when I say sick 'em
Restrain me, restrict me
I'm arresting resistance, can't be apprehended nigga
You got a problem with E
If you got a problem, come a holla at me
And if you want it, we can get it started
Plus I got the whole squad siding with me
Let the catty spray and wet up the matinee
Smack niggaz with both hands like patty-cake
Violate and I will retaliate
I don't battle fake niggaz, I'm heavyweight nigga
GMG, fam, we gladly hotta
Behold the sorcerer's stone like Harry Potter
And I'm like Harry Potta, we scary riders
Can't get near the dadda
I swear to God I'll come find where you hidin'
Have my high, finding beamers and ninas
Leave the area shot up, you hearing me Patna
I'm a fucking five star general, to drive cars into you
Ic' dodge interviews, one flip of the mack, take all ten of you
This message intended to, who's ever offended Duke
Yeah, you my nigga, but you could still get it too
So don't test me, I don't wanna do this shit to you
You got a problem with E
If you got a problem, come a holla at me
And if you want it, we can get it started
Plus I got the whole squad siding with me
Live from the NY state
And I got one question, guess what's in my waste
Y'all got me pisted off slick talk
To get that Jacob watch, I'll cut your wrist off
I'm in the limo too long to turn
And this motherfuckin' Dutch taking long to burn
I'm impatient, this is a song you learn
Make money, take money
And I'm hear to confirm my occupation
The new boss of course, the new Porsche
I pull up just to murder you niggaz and move off
You too soft, Red Cafe from New York
I tell a bitch quick, I'm hot can't cool off
I twist lesbos, and guzzling out exos
My firearms stick to my waste like Velcro
It's R.C. nothing phony about me
With E double the O.G. you know me
You got a problem with E
If you got a problem, come a holla at me
And if you want it, we can get it started
Plus I got the whole squad siding with me
Yeah, I know, you never expect me to anchor
I bring it to them so called pranksters and them gangsters
I run DMC's from rappers that's petter piper
I am the big apple, ain't nobody ripper, man
I'm not M.J., I'm a lover and a fighter
That's why I'm in D.C. now, looking for the sniper
I came in the game with hoodies and timberlands
Hard since Cypress Hill been wanting to kill a man
I did time, a thirteen year bid
I'm gutter E, I'm hanging on the side of crib
I'm a fan, but I hate what you're doing
Whenever you performing shows it's me booing
Ya as soft as your bid-die, you punk now
And you gonna be a punk at sixty
Dog, ya need more team to get me
I'm a G, and my Unit come through like Fifty
You got a problem with E
If you got a problem, come a holla at me
And if you want it, we can get it started
Plus I got the whole squad siding with me
You got a problem with E
If you got a problem, come a holla at me
And if you want it, we can get it started
Plus I got the whole squad siding with me
The lyrics in the song S.O.D. by Erick Sermon feat. Sy Scott, Icarus, and Red Cafe talk about various topics such as weapons, power, and confrontational attitudes. Specifically, the song shows the vocalists' intense, aggressive, and fearless personalities. They claim their toughness by referring to their tick-tac-toe tactical wit, which indicates that they are strategically superior. Moreover, they mention the weapons they carry and how effectively they can use them to hurt others. The lyrics also hint towards a willingness to retaliate at any given opportunity.
The song further emphasizes the power dynamics and the violent nature of these individuals. The references to sorcerer's stone like Harry Potter also signify their perceived invincibility. They present themselves as unbeatable and as if they are in charge of the current situation. In addition, they speak about their occupations, with Erick Sermon mentioning his long-term position in the rap industry, Red Cafe discussing his new high-status car, and Icarus referencing his imprisonment record. The lyrics assert that these artists are not to be messed with, and they will stand their ground against anybody.
Overall, the song S.O.D. is an intense and confident rap track that portrays the artists as powerful and formidable figures. The lyrics discuss a range of topics that showcase the toughness of the vocalists, with references to violence, power dynamics, and past experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, I'm a tic-tac-toe tactical wit it tactician
I am a strategist who is skilled in every aspect of warfare
Tit for tat, three bombs on me, we all ticking
If you come at me, expect a greater retaliation
Schizophrenic, up in the kitchen
I am mentally unstable and unpredictable
With a black fifth up against my head, just, click, click, clickin' it
I am suicidal and ready to end it all
We check the barrel and start respinnin' it
I am getting ready to shoot someone in anger
We, I start, medics start sowing and restitching them
I cause harm, but my team is ready to fix things up
My constituents and scorpions poisonous stingers filled with opium
My followers are dangerous and can cause serious harm
Stay grippin' 'em, I've got a venomous heart, filled with vigilance
I have a dangerous heart and am always on guard
That will shatter ten continents and ten palatinates
I have the power to destroy entire regions
Envision the vengefulness, visualize the vindictiveness
Picture in your mind the revenge I will unleash
I rhyme with Sid Vicious viciousness
My rhyming is as intense and violent as that of Sid Vicious
You be kiddin', soft like kittens
You are weak and not worth my time
My grills are pit bulls, they will kill when I say sick 'em
My jewelry is as fierce as pit bulls, and can be just as deadly
Restrain me, restrict me
I refuse to be held back or limited
I'm arresting resistance, can't be apprehended nigga
I am unstoppable and cannot be arrested or held down
Let the catty spray and wet up the matinee
Let the gunshots fly and turn the cinema into a bloodbath
Smack niggaz with both hands like patty-cake
I will hit people so hard it's like playing patty-cake with them
Violate and I will retaliate
Cross me and you will face revenge of equal or greater magnitude
I don't battle fake niggaz, I'm heavyweight nigga
I only engage with real opponents, because I am a force to be reckoned with
GMG, fam, we gladly hotta
My crew is always ready for war
Behold the sorcerer's stone like Harry Potter
I have the power to change things like the magical stone from Harry Potter
And I'm like Harry Potta, we scary riders
I am as fearless and powerful as the fictional wizard Harry Potter
Can't get near the dadda
I am too dangerous to approach
I swear to God I'll come find where you hidin'
I am relentless and will track you down no matter where you go
Have my high, finding beamers and ninas
I will get high and go on a hunt for guns and cars
Leave the area shot up, you hearing me Patna
I will leave a trail of destruction in my wake
I'm a fucking five star general, to drive cars into you
I am a high-ranking leader and can even use cars as weapons
Ic' dodge interviews, one flip of the mack, take all ten of you
I avoid interviews and prefer to use violence to deal with issues
This message intended to, who's ever offended Duke
This message is for anyone who has crossed me
Yeah, you my nigga, but you could still get it too
Even my friends are not safe from my retribution
So don't test me, I don't wanna do this shit to you
Do not provoke me or you will face the consequences
Live from the NY state
I am broadcasting from New York
And I got one question, guess what's in my waste
I have a question for you, can you guess what I'm carrying with me?
Y'all got me pisted off slick talk
You are irritating me with your smooth talk
To get that Jacob watch, I'll cut your wrist off
I will do whatever it takes to get my hands on a valuable item
I'm in the limo too long to turn
I am stuck in a bad situation and can't get out
And this motherfuckin' Dutch taking long to burn
This blunt is taking too long to smoke
I'm impatient, this is a song you learn
I have no time to waste, this is a lesson you need to remember
Make money, take money
My motto is to earn and take as much money as possible
And I'm hear to confirm my occupation
I am here to declare that this is what I do for a living
The new boss of course, the new Porsche
I am the new leader, and I have a fancy new car to match
I pull up just to murder you niggaz and move off
I kill my enemies then quickly move on to the next target
You too soft, Red Cafe from New York
You are weak, unlike Red Cafe from New York who is strong
I tell a bitch quick, I'm hot can't cool off
I am always on fire, unstoppable
I twist lesbos, and guzzling out exos
I have sex with women and drink excessive amounts of alcohol
My firearms stick to my waste like Velcro
My guns are always close and within reach
It's R.C. nothing phony about me
I am Red Cafe, and I am always genuine
With E double the O.G. you know me
I am with Erick Sermon, the original gangster
Yeah, I know, you never expect me to anchor
I am stepping up and taking control of the situation
I bring it to them so called pranksters and them gangsters
I confront those who pretend to be thugs and real gangsters
I run DMC's from rappers that's petter piper
I am more influential than legendary rap group Run DMC
I am the big apple, ain't nobody ripper, man
I am the ruler of New York City, the toughest city of them all
I'm not M.J., I'm a lover and a fighter
I am not Michael Jordan, I am both a fighter and a lover
That's why I'm in D.C. now, looking for the sniper
I am in Washington D.C. hunting for the enemy
I came in the game with hoodies and timberlands
I started out in the rap game with nothing but a hoodie and Timberland boots
Hard since Cypress Hill been wanting to kill a man
I have been tough and dangerous since the days of Cypress Hill
I did time, a thirteen year bid
I served a thirteen year prison sentence
I'm gutter E, I'm hanging on the side of crib
I come from the streets and still have a rough edge
I'm a fan, but I hate what you're doing
I used to be a fan, but now I don't like what you're doing
Whenever you performing shows it's me booing
I will boo you every time you perform
Ya as soft as your bid-die, you punk now
You are as weak as a baby and a coward
And you gonna be a punk at sixty
You will be a loser and a coward even in old age
Dog, ya need more team to get me
You need a bigger army to take me down
I'm a G, and my Unit come through like Fifty
I am a gangster, and my crew is as strong as 50 Cent's G-Unit
You got a problem with E
If you have an issue with Erick Sermon
If you got a problem, come a holla at me
Come talk to me and we will settle it like men
And if you want it, we can get it started
If you want a fight, let's get it on
Plus I got the whole squad siding with me
I have my whole team backing me up
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: ERICK S. SERMON, J. DENNY, NEIL PHILLIPS, SY SCOTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
str8jakkett
i love this song thanks for posting it i looked for months and couldnt find it.true hiphop right here!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ed g
epmd-erick sermon always had (have) the dopest beats....
Eddie Wallace
Dope classic!!
Andrew Flood
S.O.D. GREAT SONG BY ERICK SERMON !!
Legendizoic Wisseh
Huge Fan of this joint it is so tight ...saw Erick n Parish in my county in Maryland 2010 summer fest..RED n Meth, Keith Murray n Luda were all repping ...this track is Bad big up Red Cafe ur joint Paper touching is of the chain...#Hiphop4Life!!
Andrew Flood
LUV THIS SONG !!!
Christopher Mcccorkle
FUNKLORD....NOBODY does underground better period.
D Turner
This track is FIRE!!!!! Couldn't find it. Thanks for posting.
Akebeye Adi
Real music!!!!
jeremy gosset
redcafe and erick sermone the best of