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.
Welcome
Erick Sermon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
[Erick Sermon] - Yeah yeah, word up, uh
[Murray] - Erick Sermon and Keith Murray
[Sermon] - Representing that..
[Murray] - Kickin' it to the beat
[Sermon] - New York, word up
[Murray] - E! E! E!
Respect my views on this day and era
Keep your eyes upon me, and not the sparrow of berettas
I'm fly, than any bird of this earth
For what it be, my style is butter like Worth
I freak the beat like I'm lost in the twilight
a zone with no phone, looking over parasites
I pack the house like Woodstock when I rock
A three day event of me dropping the illest shit
From here to New Jerz, back to Brooklyn and Queens
The Uptown to Bronx River, I still deliver
The off the wall for y'all
Rearranged cameo-type strange pumping through your veins
What your mommy do, if you're not ready to die like Biggie
I'ma keep jamming like Ziggy
I got the arrows wiped down like Funkmaster Flex
Sway and Tech, and Premier, and we in here
[hook]
It's on like that! And everybody's welcome!
You are welcome
[x4]
[Verse 2]
Now, it's on like that once again, it's getting hot
Now it's time to blow up the spot
For my niggaz out there on the block getting money
Playas whose hustling, doing their thing
But me, I've lounged without the stone
Do it for my peeps, take it to the streets
All day, everyday, I sets the mood
Pile a bell of "Aye", with new attitudes
I change not for the words, but for the better
And be a trend-setter, and bring the best ever
Yeah, teach me for the president
So I can bring the vibes through your residence Double!
The ghetto blast, the green eyed rapper slash producer
And O.J. with the juice, uh!
Y'all know me, it's the E-R-I-C-K
So enjoy the day, and peace to Marvin Gaye
[hook]
[Verse 3]
Let's groove back and forth like Aaliyah
If you don't got the vibe, then I wouldn't want to be ya
I threw it like a rap attack from New York to Hackensack
Kiss myself and jump back, surprise like a Crackerjack
The eye can bring the smiles without Chanice
And make enemies call truce, or even peace
(?)Funk Lord(?) fights back
again without the Force or blue sky Chewbacca, R2D2 and the crew
The miracle worker, God praise him, praise him!
All of them ready for the funk, you feel like you want like (blaaah!)
Whatever you requested, and you suggested
that I bring the pain like Method
It's nothing nice, cause I'm down for whatever
Me and my beretta, me and my beretta
Goddammit, don't leave your dog stranded
Who? Yeah, the Green Eyed Bandit
[hook repeats until the end]
The song Welcome by Erick Sermon featuring Keith Murray is essentially an ode to New York and the hip hop culture that originates from the city. The song speaks to the talent and skill of the artists, describing their rhymes as "butter" and their ability to captivate and entertain audiences as a three-day event. Sermon sets forth a declaration that they are here to stay and will continue to produce music and lyrics that set them apart. The song also touches on the topic of violence, with Sermon cautioning listeners to keep their eyes on him, rather than on "sparrows of berettas". Despite some of the heavier allusions in the song, the overall message is one of a creative force and a vibrant scene that welcomes all.
Line by Line Meaning
Respect my views on this day and era
Listen to and acknowledge my perspective in today's world
Keep your eyes upon me, and not the sparrow of berettas
Pay attention to me, not the danger and violence around us
I'm fly, than any bird of this earth
I'm cooler and smoother than anything else out there
For what it be, my style is butter like Worth
My style is smooth and valuable like butter
I freak the beat like I'm lost in the twilight
I get lost in the rhythm of the music as I perform
a zone with no phone, looking over parasites
I'm in my own world, away from negative influences
I pack the house like Woodstock when I rock
I draw a huge crowd when I perform, like the Woodstock festival
A three day event of me dropping the illest shit
I bring my best and most impressive music to the stage
From here to New Jerz, back to Brooklyn and Queens
I represent and have fans from all over New York City
The Uptown to Bronx River, I still deliver
I'm respected and successful from various areas in New York
The off the wall for y'all
I have a unique and innovative style for my fans
Rearranged cameo-type strange pumping through your veins
My music is distinctive and memorable, leaving an impact on my listeners
What your mommy do, if you're not ready to die like Biggie
What's the point of living life if you aren't ready to face the consequences, like Biggie did?
I'ma keep jamming like Ziggy
I'm going to keep performing and making music like Ziggy Marley
I got the arrows wiped down like Funkmaster Flex
My rhymes are polished and smooth like how Funkmaster Flex cleans his DJ equipment
Sway and Tech, and Premier, and we in here
I'm working with respected and reputable people in the music industry
It's on like that! And everybody's welcome!
I'm ready to perform and welcome all my fans
You are welcome
All fans are welcomed to my music
Now, it's on like that once again, it's getting hot
I'm ready to perform again and it's heating up
Now it's time to blow up the spot
It's time to make an impact and impress everyone
For my niggaz out there on the block getting money
For my friends who are hustling and making money on the streets
Playas whose hustling, doing their thing
People who are grinding and striving for success
But me, I've lounged without the stone
I've chilled and relaxed without any worries or stress
Do it for my peeps, take it to the streets
I'm performing for my people and representing them
All day, everyday, I sets the mood
I create the atmosphere and vibe for my listeners every single day
Pile a bell of Aye, with new attitudes
I'm bringing in new and refreshing energy to the music scene
I change not for the words, but for the better
I'm constantly improving and evolving as a person and artist
And be a trend-setter, and bring the best ever
I want to lead the way and create the most impressive music of all time
Yeah, teach me for the president
Vote for me as president and I'll bring positive change
So I can bring the vibes through your residence Double!
I want to spread my music and energy to every home in the country
The ghetto blast, the green eyed rapper slash producer
I'm a rapper and producer from the streets
And O.J. with the juice, uh!
I've got the skills and creativity like O.J. Simpson
Y'all know me, it's the E-R-I-C-K
My fans know me as Erick Sermon
So enjoy the day, and peace to Marvin Gaye
Have a good day and respect to Marvin Gaye, a legendary musician
Let's groove back and forth like Aaliyah
Let's dance together and enjoy the music like Aaliyah would've wanted
If you don't got the vibe, then I wouldn't want to be ya
If you're not feeling the music, I don't want to hang out with you
I threw it like a rap attack from New York to Hackensack
I performed with aggressive energy from New York City to Hackensack, New Jersey
Kiss myself and jump back, surprise like a Crackerjack
I'm feeling good and impressed with myself, like a surprise toy in a box of Crackerjack
The eye can bring the smiles without Chanice
I can make people happy and enjoy the music even without Chanice, another musician
And make enemies call truce, or even peace
I want to bring people together and end conflicts, even among enemies
(?)Funk Lord(?) fights back
I'm a fighter and won't back down, especially in the music industry
again without the Force or blue sky Chewbacca, R2D2 and the crew
I'm doing it again without any help, just like in Star Wars without the main characters
The miracle worker, God praise him, praise him!
I'm a talented and impressive artist, and should be praised for it
All of them ready for the funk, you feel like you want like (blaaah!)
Everyone is ready to groove and enjoy the music, with high energy and enthusiasm
Whatever you requested, and you suggested
I'm fulfilling people's requests and expectations in my music
that I bring the pain like Method
I'm bringing powerful and impactful music like Method Man
It's nothing nice, cause I'm down for whatever
My music is intense and hardcore because I'm willing to do anything for it
Me and my beretta, me and my beretta
I'm ready to face the danger and violence out there with my gun
Goddammit, don't leave your dog stranded
Don't leave your friends behind or forget about them as you become successful
Who? Yeah, the Green Eyed Bandit
Me, Erick Sermon, the artist with green eyes and the name 'Green Eyed Bandit'
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, DELLA MUSIC PUBLISHING, LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MURRAY, SERMON, STINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
asa tvs
That beat SLAMS FOR REAL !!! π₯π₯π₯π₯
NiteRida
Aaron killed this.
Hiphophead1
pretty much made the song
Patrick Bates
Absolutely wouldnβt listen to it if he wasnβt on the hook. Eeeeeeeeeeeee Eeeeeeeeeee π
Satu Ra
THE MEMORIES!!!!!! The 90s was the greatest era
Terrance
1995 was the greatest year for hip hop ever.
808MixMaster
1994 was better illmatic!
star star star
@808MixMaster no, it was 1995 , Liquid Swords > Illmatic
The Minstry of Truth
1988 was better than both.
Terrance
@The Minstry of Truth If you believe that then listen to Pete Rock album The Original Baby Pa.