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.
The Sermon
Erick Sermon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Turn my mic up some.. turn my mic up some..
Turn my mic, check check, check, turn my mic up some
Almighty, uhh..
[Verse One]
Lord forgive me now
This be the best way I know how, to get this out
Even though, that's not what my style's about
I hate this world, sometimes it gets me
when family and friends are not friendly
I just don't get it - so I sit home
in the bassment lights low on the mic and spit it
They plot, to get my scratch
Not knowin the time to get where I'm at now
In my face, like I owe 'em somethin
Handout from me, and never did nuttin (word up)
They're mad at me, like I changed
It's hard on me Lord, it's wreckin my brain
Is it me? I know it can't be
So I ask you, please help me, now
[Chorus: R. Kelly - *sampled*]
Sometimes I laugh, tryin to keep from cryin
If I was plain out of luck, then tell me who could I trust
See I work so hard, just to get ahead
If it wasn't for God, I'd probably be dead
[Verse Two]
Uhh, I laugh when ain't nuttin funny
Meanwhile cats want to count my money
Plan on me, to get jumped or somethin
Plot-ting like E's punk or somethin
Feels so strange, how I maintain
to last in the game, throughout my fame
I'm focused man, the E stay the same
Hate when folks call me out my name
Damn Lord, heal my body
Cause I'm mad enough to kill somebody
Even hard to trust my lady
Did she lock me down to have my baby?
I know she love me - damn it's nuttin
The world's so corrupt, it got me buggin
Uhh, I want to move away like (?)
why'all feel me - yo, R. Kelly
[Chorus]
[Verse Three]
Huh, yo, huh
The game changed, damn I should quit
Can't get respect, without havin a hit
Someone somewhere talkin shit
Got fake cats in my clique
But I deal with the cards that's dealt
Try to make music that's heartfelt
Still doin eighty on the Belt'
In the Escalade, with Dolce shades
I've been paid, now what's left?
I guess, should I stress life or death (huh?)
Sometimes I want to end it all
Live at peace, with 'Pac and Smalls
Can't do that, got fam at the crib
My moms, my pops, my girl and my kids (uh-huh)
.. open my eyes
So I ask you, please help me, now
[Chorus]
In Erick Sermon's song "The Sermon", he reflects on the struggles he faces in his life as a successful rapper. The song opens with a prayer asking for forgiveness and help in expressing his emotions through music. He goes on to express his frustration with his fake friends and their constant desire to take advantage of his success, while also sharing his struggles to trust his girlfriend and find true happiness in the corrupt world of the music industry. He contemplates quitting the game, but ultimately realizes that he must deal with the cards he is dealt and continue to create heartfelt music.
Through the lyrics of "The Sermon", Erick Sermon touches on a variety of themes that are universal and relatable for many individuals. The song highlights the challenges that come with success, including the pressures of trying to maintain authenticity while navigating a corrupt industry. The track also delves into themes of trust and relationships, as Sermon discusses his struggles to trust those closest to him. Ultimately, the prayerful opening and the contemplative tone of the song suggest a search for meaning and purpose in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo yo yo yo, yo
Introduction to the song
Turn my mic up some.. turn my mic up some..
Request to increase the microphone's volume
Turn my mic, check check, check, turn my mic up some
Continued request to check and confirm the increased volume of the microphone
Almighty, uhh..
Addressing God before the start of the song's lyrics
Lord forgive me now
Asking for divine forgiveness
This be the best way I know how, to get this out
Expressing that the song is the best way to express one's emotions
I can't sing so I have to bounce
Unable to sing, hence rapping to express oneself
Even though, that's not what my style's about
Acknowledging that rapping is not the primary style of music they prefer
I hate this world, sometimes it gets me
Feeling discontented towards the world
when family and friends are not friendly
Feeling betrayed by family and friends
I just don't get it - so I sit home
Unable to comprehend the situation, hence staying at home
in the basement lights low on the mic and spit it
Rapping in the basement with dimly-lit surroundings
They plot, to get my scratch
People scheming to steal one's money
Not knowin the time to get where I'm at now
People unaware of the journey that led to one's current position
In my face, like I owe 'em somethin
People demanding something without any valid reason
Handout from me, and never did nuttin (word up)
People asking for favors despite not doing anything in return
They're mad at me, like I changed
People accusing one of changing
It's hard on me Lord, it's wreckin my brain
The situation is causing mental stress
Is it me? I know it can't be
Feeling that the problem is not with oneself
So I ask you, please help me, now
Seeking divine help to solve the problem at hand
Sometimes I laugh, tryin to keep from cryin
Efforts to hide one's emotional turmoil by pretending to laugh
If I was plain out of luck, then tell me who could I trust
Questioning who one can trust if luck has run out
See I work so hard, just to get ahead
Working hard to achieve success
If it wasn't for God, I'd probably be dead
Thanking God for being alive and being the driving force behind one's success
Uhh, I laugh when ain't nuttin funny
Laughing in uncomfortable situations
Meanwhile cats want to count my money
People wanting to know about someone's financial status
Plan on me, to get jumped or somethin
Scheming to attack one physically
Plot-ting like E's punk or somethin
People planning to attack like the rapper is vulnerable
Feels so strange, how I maintain
Feeling odd to have maintained success through hardships
to last in the game, throughout my fame
Remaining in the music industry with people recognizing the name
I'm focused man, the E stay the same
Staying focused on one's craft and identity
Hate when folks call me out my name
Disliking when people call one by incorrect names
Damn Lord, heal my body
Asking God for physical strength
Cause I'm mad enough to kill somebody
Feeling immense anger towards someone
Even hard to trust my lady
Feeling uncertain about one's partner's trustworthiness
Did she lock me down to have my baby?
Questioning if one's partner is only with them to have a child
I know she love me - damn it's nuttin
Understanding that one's partner loves them but being unsure about the future
The world's so corrupt, it got me buggin
Feeling uneasy about the prevalent corruption in the world
Uhh, I want to move away like (?)
Desiring to relocate somewhere far away
why'all feel me - yo, R. Kelly
Asking if people can relate to the struggles being faced, with a reference to R. Kelly's song
The game changed, damn I should quit
Feeling frustrated with how the music industry has changed
Can't get respect, without havin a hit
Being unable to gain respect for one's music without having a popular song
Someone somewhere talkin shit
People gossiping and spreading false claims
Got fake cats in my clique
Being surrounded by people pretending to be one's friends
But I deal with the cards that's dealt
Dealing with one's situation as it is
Try to make music that's heartfelt
Trying to create music with emotional depth
Still doin eighty on the Belt'
Driving fast on the roadway Belt Parkway
In the Escalade, with Dolce shades
Driving a Cadillac Escalade with Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses
I've been paid, now what's left?
Having already earned significant monetary benefits, wondering what else is there to achieve
I guess, should I stress life or death (huh?)
Confused between valuing life or considering death
Sometimes I want to end it all
Feeling that one wants to commit suicide
Live at peace, with 'Pac and Smalls
Referring to the deceased rappers Tupac and Notorious B.I.G. and wanting to live peacefully with them
Can't do that, got fam at the crib
Unable to commit suicide due to having family at home
My moms, my pops, my girl and my kids (uh-huh)
Listing the important people in one's life
.. open my eyes
Asking God to provide clarity of thoughts and emotions
So I ask you, please help me, now
Asking for God's help to overcome the challenges at present
[Chorus: R. Kelly - *sampled*]
Sometimes I laugh, tryin to keep from cryin
If I was plain out of luck, then tell me who could I trust
See I work so hard, just to get ahead
If it wasn't for God, I'd probably be dead
Chorus section of the song where R. Kelly sings about trusting in God to overcome difficulties
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERICK S. SERMON, ROBERT S. KELLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind