Erick Sermon is an American rapper and producer. He also goes by the names … Read Full Bio ↴Erick Sermon is an American rapper and producer. He also goes by the names "E-Double" and "The Green Eyed Bandit".

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.

Why Not
Erick Sermon Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

(E)
Uh, and you dont stop yeah yeah
Uh Huh yeah yeah ha ha

(Slick Rick)
You know what I'm sayin so I said
(rick D)

Uh huh, yeah
Big Brown uh huh, yeah

You ready?

(Erick Sermon)
Yo, in the Y2K, my chips be micro, unlimited
Me and Rick D reap the benefit
Cars, girls, jewels, innocent
Next year it'll be old, we get rid of it
Yeah like that, yeah we knock 'em out the box yo
Money's deep like the gold at fort Knox yo
Rhyme killer, kill an iller rhyme with no effort
At you trick a hole your crew (blao!)
You're mad now huh? You can't stand me
Now watch when I'm recieving a grammy
A Soul Train when I'm getting a Sammy
Davis Junior award, fans applaud
For me, Erick Onasis, top dog
The money folder, I'm like Don King's promoter
Ya'll can't see me I'm ariborne type tuskeegee
Wicked like the board of Ouija
When I step in the door things change
Everything stops like ya freeze frame
It's mad hot now, Gettin ready to boil
(Rick the Ruler!) Me, the MC Grand Royal

Chorus:
(Erick Sermon)
ER, Ravishing
I, impress
C, courageous or careless
K, for the Kani's that I got
That I rock everyday, and why, why not?
(Slick Rick)
R is ravishing
I, impress
C, courageous or careless
K, for the Kangol's which I've got
What I wear everyday, and why, why not?

(Slick Rick)
Emotion and hope in the scope
When the paw print on the button on my brand new garage door opener
"Ungh", as the double R rips through the gutter
Even 7 Day Advents scream "that shit's butter!"
You best remember who's the skipper
Remember who made girl's joint drop so hard it popped the zipper
Illusion on no boozin confusion
Even ghosts like "Ruler I'm scared of you son"
As I lean and dip, dream might seem a bit odd
Lights just turned red turn green for Rick (ya know)
On the deacon, with my stuff in there blastin
Till the signs on the highway start to wop when I pass them (ohhh)
Mad bougeoui folk bent, perhaps offend
Chrome almost made another Rolls have an accident
The Ruler wildin, La Di Da Di Don is stylin
On his way to see green eyed buddy on the Island

(Chorus)

Overall Meaning

The song "Why Not" by Erick Sermon featuring Slick Rick is a classic hip hop track that speaks on the rappers' success in the music industry and their flourishing lifestyle. The lyrics mention the material things they have achieved, including cars, jewelry, and women, while also highlighting their skills as MCs. Sermon brags about his ability to effortlessly deliver rhymes that slay the competition while Rick adds his unique storytelling ability to the track. They both touch on their Grammy and other awards while also hinting at their ability to intimidate anyone who crosses them. The chorus emphasizes their love for Kangol hats and Kani clothing and their desire to flaunt them without any apologies. The song ends with Slick Rick on his way to visit a friend on an island in his luxurious car, further driving home the opulence he has attained.

Line by Line Meaning

Yo, in the Y2K, my chips be micro, unlimited
I have small but abundant high-tech devices in the new millennium.

Me and Rick D reap the benefit
I'm enjoying the rewards with my fellow rapper, Rick D.

Cars, girls, jewels, innocent
We indulge in luxurious items and innocent pleasures.

Next year it'll be old, we get rid of it
Our expensive possessions become outdated quickly and we dispose of them.

Yeah like that, yeah we knock 'em out the box yo
We easily beat or surpass our competition in the music industry.

Money's deep like the gold at fort Knox yo
My wealth is extensive, comparable to the gold reserves at Fort Knox.

Rhyme killer, kill an iller rhyme with no effort
I have no trouble creating and outdoing other rappers with my clever lyrics.

At you trick a hole your crew (blao!)
I knock out members of your group with my words.

You're mad now huh? You can't stand me
You're angry and jealous because you can't compete with me.

Now watch when I'm recieving a grammy
Just wait and see when I win a Grammy award for my music.

For me, Erick Onasis, top dog
I'm the best in the rap game as my alter ego Erick Onasis.

The money folder, I'm like Don King's promoter
I'm a successful producer and businessman, similar to Don King.

Ya'll can't see me I'm ariborne type tuskeegee
You can't see me coming like the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

Wicked like the board of Ouija
My rhymes are supernatural and powerful like a Ouija board.

When I step in the door things change
My presence has an impact, things become different.

Everything stops like ya freeze frame
Everything halts and remains in one position like a freeze frame.

It's mad hot now, Gettin ready to boil
The music industry is heating up and about to explode.

R is ravishing
The letter 'R' represents my charm and good looks.

I, impress
I make a strong impression on others.

C, courageous or careless
I am either brave or reckless in my actions.

K, for the Kani's that I got
The letter 'K' represents my collection of Kani clothing.

That I rock everyday, and why, why not?
I wear and show off my Kani clothes every day because I can.

Emotion and hope in the scope
My music is filled with emotion and optimism.

When the paw print on the button on my brand new garage door opener
When I push the paw print button on my new garage door opener, my car emerges.

"Ungh", as the double R rips through the gutter
My Rolls Royce car makes a sound as it drives through the city streets.

Even 7 Day Advents scream "that shit's butter!"
Even religious people are impressed with my expensive car.

You best remember who's the skipper
You need to acknowledge my leadership and status.

Remember who made girl's joint drop so hard it popped the zipper
I am known for having a powerful effect on women, even causing their clothes to come apart.

Illusion on no boozin confusion
My persona is not based on alcohol or drugs, but is often misunderstood.

Even ghosts like "Ruler I'm scared of you son"
Even supernatural beings fear my reputation and presence.

As I lean and dip, dream might seem a bit odd
I have a smooth and confident manner of moving, which might seem unusual.

Lights just turned red turn green for Rick (ya know)
Traffic lights change quickly for me, showing my influence and status.

On the deacon, with my stuff in there blastin
I'm driving my car with the music blasting loudly.

Till the signs on the highway start to wop when I pass them (ohhh)
My car is so impressive and fast that even road signs react to my presence.

Mad bougeoui folk bent, perhaps offend
I might cause confusion or offense to people of high social class.

Chrome almost made another Rolls have an accident
The reflection of my car caused another Rolls Royce to almost crash.

The Ruler wildin, La Di Da Di Don is stylin
I'm acting crazy and showing off my style as the ruler of the rap game.

On his way to see green eyed buddy on the Island
I'm traveling to visit my friend who is in jail on Rikers Island.

Contributed by Zachary D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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