erick sermon Archives

Redman & Keith Murray Bring The 90s To Atlanta & It’s So So Def (Video)

The annual A3C Hip-Hop Festival has been taking place in Atlanta since Wednesday (October 5) of this week. The yearly event has been the host to a number of panels and showcases and has been a veritable who's who in terms of talent and executives that drive the culture. One... Read more

October 8, 2016 Video

EPMD Take Care Of Business At The Roots Picnic In New York (Video)

This afternoon (October 2), EPMD took the stage at The Roots Picnic in New York and absolutely crushed it. Erick Sermon jokingly remarked that he was only 27 years, while simultaneously noting that he and Parrish Smith had been rocking mics for nearly 30 years. Both their experience and their... Read more

October 2, 2016 Video

Da Brat Claims She & JD Are The 2016 EPMD. So Wat ‘Cha Sayin’? (Audio)

Da Brat and her mentor Jermaine Dupri are hard at work on the first collaborative mixtape of their career. The two So So Def Records MCs who have worked together for more than 22 years will title the work Business As Usual. Referencing EPMD in that act alone is not... Read more

September 25, 2016 Audio

EPMD Knew They Had Customers In ’88. In 2016, People Are Still Buying In (Audio)

In the ears of many, EPMD's debut Strictly Business is a 1980s Hip-Hop masterpiece. Erick Sermon and Parrish "PMD" Smith merged to exude a style, sound, and attitude in the genre that has withstood nearly 28 years since. Released on Fresh/Sleeping Bag Records, the independent album from the Long Island, New... Read more

September 15, 2016 Do Remember

Redman Details The Violent Split of Hit Squad & The Origins of Def Squad (Video)

Redman's connection to Erick Sermon is deep. The two started working together more than 25 years ago, after Sermon met Red when Red was DJ'ing for Lords Of The Underground. "I knew there was something spectacular about him. Right off the bat. The next day, we talked. And within the... Read more

August 25, 2016 Video

Redman Discusses His Battle Rap Days Spent Rolling With Biz Markie (Video)

To the Hip-Hop record-buying community, Redman's career would largely take shape in 1990, care of EPMD's Business As Usual album. On a Top 40 LP (Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith's first with Def Jam Records), Reggie Noble appeared twice, including single "Hardcore." However, that is not where the Newark, New Jersey... Read more

August 10, 2016 Video

EPMD Has Upcoming Album Business. PMD Clarifies Production Roles (Audio)

This summer, EPMD is going on Ice-T's the Art Of Rhyme Tour. The Long Island, New York duo of Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith will join Public Enemy, Mobb Deep, Naughty By Nature, and others for eight dates across the United States. However, when the gold-certified union gets off the... Read more

May 20, 2016 Audio, News

EPMD, Public Enemy, Mobb Deep, Naughty By Nature & More Announce Tour

In 2015, Ice-T launched the Art Of Rap Tour. Taking its name from Ice's acclaimed Hip-Hop documentary, the summer tour featured Rakim, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick, and a number of other acts. For 2016, the O.G. is keeping The Art Of Rap Tour strong. Several '15... Read more

May 9, 2016 Fresh

Redman Performs Mudface Songs For The 1st Time & Adds Some Classics (Video)

Redman recently promoted his Mudface album with an appearance on Sway's Universe. There, the Newark, New Jersey MC connected with Sway, Brick City homie Heather B, and Tracy G for some "very original" interview questions, and an in-studio performance that had the hosts rockin'. The segment begins with Redman breaking... Read more

November 16, 2015 Video

Redman Gets Real About Def Squad, Leaving Def Jam & Staying True To Self (Audio)

Approaching this Friday's release of Mudface, Redman's media campaign rages on. The MC extraordinaire appeared on The Combat Jack Show with a one-hour interview that covers Red's career with the questions so many want to know. Reggie Noble goes in, from his support of Fetty Wap, to the break-up days... Read more

November 11, 2015 Audio

Public Enemy’s It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back vs. EPMD’s Strictly Business. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

October 21, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Keith Murray Apologizes For His Poor Battle Against Fredro Starr & Says He Was on Meds (Video)

Earlier this week, Keith Murray and Fredro Starr battled at Brooklyn, New York’s Milk River. The battle was over a year in the making, having already been postponed once. When the event finally did take place, fans were incensed by what they viewed as a completely one-sided performance, in favor... Read more

October 11, 2015 Video

Black Thought, Redman, Doug E. Fresh & More Lead the 2015 Hip Hop Awards Cyphers

Last night (October 9), the 2015 BET Hip Hop Awards were taped at Atlanta, Georgia's Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center. Hosted by "Uncle" Snoop Dogg, the annual affair honored Scarface with the "I Am Hip Hop Award," and handed out trophies to Rap and R&B's brightest and best. For TV... Read more

October 10, 2015 Fresh

Redman, Keith Murray & Erick Sermon Have a Hip Hop Awards Cypher

The BET Hip Hop Awards are taking place tonight (10/9) in Atlanta, and will air on Tuesday, October 13 at 8pm. This year's event is once again being hosted by Uncle Snoop Dogg, and Scarface will be presented the "I Am Hip Hop" Award, honoring his 25-year legacy. As always,... Read more

October 9, 2015 Video

Finding the GOAT Album: Beastie Boys’ Licensed To Ill vs. EPMD’s Strictly Business. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

October 8, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Redman, Method Man & Erick Sermon Still Love Working Together. It Shows. (Video)

For more than 20 years, Erick Sermon, Redman, and Method Man have displayed their strong chemistry—in various combinations. Through all of that time, no matter the changing trends and attitudes of Hip-Hop, these men were always a beacon of fun-loving music-making. It's all about skills, jokes, and upstaging each other... Read more

September 25, 2015 Video

Eric B. & Rakim’s Follow The Leader vs. EPMD’s Unfinished Business. What’s Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop's most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? "Finding The GOAT MC" lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

September 14, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Here’s a Playlist of the Best Hip-Hop of July 2015 (Audio)

July has traditionally been slow for Hip-Hop releases, but 2015 proved to be the exception. The month brought new music from a wide variety of artists and set the stage for a blockbuster August, with the return of Dr. Dre and Warren G. Here are the best Hip-Hop songs of... Read more

August 5, 2015 Mixes

Erick Sermon, Joell Ortiz & Sheek Louch Offer Hard Lessons From Concrete Places (Video)

In late April, Erick Sermon premiered "Make Room," a crosstown New York City verbal essay featuring Joell Ortiz and Sheek Louch. The song offers some hard advice to a host of people simply doin' it wrong. For the just-released visual, E-Double, Donnie G., and Yoawa certify themselves in the company... Read more

July 19, 2015 Video

Redman, Method Man & Erick Sermon Always Deliver in The Clutch (Audio)

In the canon of Hip-Hop mentors, Erick Sermon is top-rank. The Brentwood, Long Island, New Yorker (with partner PMD) brought in Redman, Das EFX, K-Solo, Keith Solo, and the earliest days of Rick Ross. The EPMD MC/producer has an ear for talent. While he mentored Red' and Keith in Def... Read more

July 17, 2015 Audio

Redman & Erick Sermon Re-Team To Make An Anthem For Deebo Tactics (Video)

Redman knows what really goes on. The Brick City MC releases a new video, clowning at misfortunes of those who get stuck-up in today's dog-eat-dog world. "Somebody Got Robbed" is that gutter Reggie Noble, where the song moves and grooves, but still bases itself on Everyman experiences. Even mentioning Nia... Read more

July 1, 2015 Video

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of April 2015 in One Playlist (Audio)

The month of April 2015 in Hip-Hop brought some welcomed surprises. A slew of artists released high quality freestyles over classic 90s beats, including Fabolous, Jadakiss, Styles P and Lloyd Banks, to name a few. Raekwon laid the groundwork for his F.I.L.A. (Fly International Luxurious Art) album, with releases featuring... Read more

May 5, 2015 Audio

Erick Sermon Makes Room For Joell Ortiz & Sheek Louch on One Star-Studded Track (Audio)

Erick Sermon has been teasing the arrival of a new album for several months, but the moment is almost here. On a recent interview with Sway, E-Double said fans could expect ESP to arrive in June, and listed off a host of guest MCs featured on the album, including Method... Read more

April 30, 2015 Audio

Finding the GOAT: None of These MCs Have Made the Top 10…Yet

Ambrosia For Heads’ Finding The GOAT series, the search for the Greatest Of All Time MC (as determined by you), began in September, 2014 and is soon down to its final 10+1 bye (Rakim, bringing the tally to 11) contestants. The MC who wins by the biggest margin in this... Read more

April 25, 2015 Fresh

Did You Know Erick Sermon Could Have Signed Biggie? The Green Eyed Bandit Speaks (Video)

2015 is shaping up to be a big year for Erick Sermon. The Green Eyed bandit has launched a new collection of Hip-Hop rugs called Def Rugs, and is releasing ESP, his first album since 2004's Chilltown, New York, in June. E Double sat down with Sway and covered a... Read more

April 23, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT (Round 4): Big Daddy Kane vs. Erick Sermon…Who You Got?

We have now reached the critical Round 4 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 21 MCs remaining (with the largest winning margin, Rakim receives a bye for the round), things are really coming down to 10 match-ups, leading AFH’s bracket-style series towards... Read more

April 21, 2015 Throwback

Ever Hear Rick Ross’ First Appearance On Wax, Alongside Erick Sermon? (Audio)

A lot went into Rick Ross' career in the lead-up to 2006 platinum single, "Hustlin'." Many Heads know that the Miami, Florida-based MC was one of the strong developing acts at Slip-N-Slide Records (a system responsible for Plies, Pitbull, plus Trina and Trick Daddy). Other Heads know that Ross had... Read more

April 19, 2015 Throwback

Finding the GOAT: These MCs Are Going to Round 4

The polls have closed and, after a fiercely competitive and unpredictable Round 3, there are only 21 MCs remaining in the quest to name Hip-Hop's greatest MC, as determined by you. Since Round 1 began in September, more than 200 MCs have been considered and millions of Hip-Hop fans have... Read more

April 12, 2015 Fresh

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Dr. Dre vs. Erick Sermon…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

March 18, 2015 Throwback

Ever See This Classic Redman & Keith Murray Freestyle From the Mid-90s? (Video)

Back in the mid-90s, few crews were more formidable than Def Squad. The collective featured the fierce MC skills of Erick Sermon, Redman and Keith Murray and Sermon's signature thumping beats. After releasing solo albums in Murray's The Most Beautifullest Thing in the World, Sermon's Double or Nothing and Red's... Read more

March 14, 2015 Throwback

Erick Sermon Is Bringing Hip-Hop To Your Home With Def Rugs

Always about his business, EPMD MC Erick Sermon has started a new venture that has been turning heads: Def Rugs. Def Rugs is a carpet business that makes Hip-Hop logos into rugs that make for great pieces of home décor. In a recent interview with HipHopDX, Sermon and his business... Read more

March 6, 2015 News

Finding The GOAT (Round 2): Erick Sermon vs. Trugoy…Who You Got?

We have reached the second round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). We are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups... Read more

March 4, 2015 Throwback

Erick Sermon Speaks Openly About Earnings, Helping Create Atlanta’s Scene (Video)

Erick Sermon does not do a ton of interviews. However, when the EPMD and Def Squad co-founder speaks, he's never big on canned, diplomatic answers. E-Dub opens up in a major way when speaking with This Is 50's Jack Thriller. The Brentwood, Long Island MC/producer breaks down his 2000s-era comeback... Read more

January 13, 2015 Throwback

Remember This Rakim, KRS-One, Erick Sermon, Chubb Rock & MC Serch Freestyle (Video)

As we gear up for Round 2 of our Battle for the GOAT, there is no doubt that Rakim and KRS-One will be atop many people's lists of the greatest MCs of all time. So, as a sneak preview, here's a look back at part of one of the legendary... Read more

December 27, 2014 Throwback

Erick Sermon Is Back To Giving Fans Some Green-Eyed Inspiration (Audio)

Erick Sermon stayed largely quiet in 2014. The EPMD co-founder did play Mass Appeal's Rhythm Roulette, but the Long Island legend largely shunned output this year. In the last two weeks of the year, that suddenly changed with "One Shot." Almost 30 years deep in the game, E-Double offers up... Read more

December 15, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Finding The GOAT: Biz Markie vs. Erick Sermon…Who You Got?

As we continue the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time), we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into consideration, pairing special match-ups in a sequence not... Read more

October 7, 2014 Fresh, Throwback

Here’s a Hot Mixtape of Erick Sermon Productions with His Commentary (Mixtape)

Here's a dope mix of some of Erick Sermon's most classic productions, featuring commentary from the Green Eyed Bandit himself about the making of each track. This is volume 3 of DJ Derezon & Tre the Boy Wonder's 14 Deadly Secrets series. Check out the stream and download below. Related:... Read more

August 30, 2014 Throwback

Fashawn & Wrekonize Pay Respects To EPMD’s Headbanger & Lyrically Leave Lumps (Audio)

From Warren G, to Tha Dogg Pound, to Beanie Sigel & Memphis Bleek, EPMD made records that made MCs feel compelled to cover throughout the ages. Erick Sermon and Parish Smith remain giants in the lyrical and production circles of Hip-Hop. The duo's impact (through on-again, off-again status) is galactic,... Read more

July 23, 2014 Audio, Fresh

Ep. 3 of The Message Documentary Looks at the Complicated Relationship Between Women & Hip-Hop (Full Video)

Episode 3 of BET's Hip-Hop documentary, The Message, examines the treatment of women in Hip-Hop, as well as the rise of mega Hip-Hop entrepreneurs. Artists like Lauryn Hill, Lil Kim, Foxy Brown and Missy are discussed, as well as Jay Z, Puff Daddy, Wu-Tang Clan and more. Guests include Nas,... Read more

June 25, 2014 Video

EPMD’s Green-Eyed Bandit Erick Sermon Freaks Some Sheena Easton When He Plays Rhythm Roulette (Video)

Erick Sermon isn't an artist who is always running for the spotlight in the digital age. The EPMD co-founder and producer/MC double-threat stays busy at his craft, and does interviews, releases songs and videos as he feels necessary. However, Mass Appeal got the Brentwood, Long Island Def Squad delegate to... Read more

April 10, 2014 Fresh, Video

AFH: Best Hip-Hop of July 2013 (Audio Playlist)

Jay-Z dominated the headlines in July, but there was a LOT of good music from other artists last month, as well. Here's a playlist of the best hip-hop to drop in July. You'll hear music from MC Lyte, Q-Tip, J. Cole, Rapsody, Pete Rock & Camp Lo, Daz Dillinger, Nipsey... Read more

August 4, 2013 Featured-homepage, Playlists

Erick Sermon, Snoop Dogg & Method Man – Let Me Explain (Video)

Erick Sermon, Snoop Dogg and Method Man teamed up on the title track for Kevin Hart's Let Me Explain film. The result? STRAIGHT FIRE!!! Check out the video below. Related: Erick Sermon Tells Classic Stories to Cipha Sounds and Rosenberg (Video)... Read more

July 11, 2013 Video

MC Lyte – Jordan Effect (Prod. Erick Sermon)

The Air Jordan folks are going HARD with the hip-hop connection for the Jordan XX8's. After putting out a Big Daddy Kane/DJ Premier collabo last week, this week they pair another couple of legends. Few MCs rhymed harder than MC Lyte back in the day and few producers' beats thumped... Read more

February 6, 2013 Audio

Redman – White People Are Rioting (Prod. Erick Sermon) (Video)

Here's a new video from Redman for a blazing hot Erick Sermon-produced track. Check out White People Are Rioting. Related: Redman – Hurricane Sandy Relief Freestyle... Read more

November 30, 2012 Video

Prodigy, DMX, Erick Sermon, Sean Price, Jim Jones & Jadakiss Talk Father’s Day

The 6 MCs discussed what Father's Day means to them at Rock The Bells. Related: Erick Sermon tells classic stories to Peter Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds (Video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7hxaDyTnAE&feature=player_embedded... Read more

June 16, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Erick Sermon Tells Classic Stories to Cipha Sounds and Rosenberg

Erick Sermon recently sat down and talked with Peter Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds about Redman, Keith Murray, Dr. Dre, dollars, missing out on the opportunity to sign Biggie and Wu-Tang and a bunch of other topics. Check out the full video interview below. Related: Erick Sermon tells the stories behind... Read more

April 23, 2012 Food for Thought, Video

Erick Sermon tells the stories behind many of his classic tracks to Complex

Here's another dope profile by Complex where they have a legendary producer break down the story behind his tracks. They've done DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Organized Noize and others. This time, it's Erick Sermon's term. Check out what the Green Eyed Bandit has to say about his classic records. Below... Read more

March 16, 2012 Food for Thought, Playlists

EPMD Perform Headbanger With K-Solo and Redman (Video)

EPMD reunited in NYC last night. For the finale, they brought out fellow Hit Squad members K-Solo and Redman and smashed Headbanger. Check out a video of the performance below. Also, click here to check out our playlist of songs produced by Erick Sermon. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OwDzpBxumQ... Read more

February 25, 2012 Throwback, Video

Erick Sermon – Breath of Fresh Air (Mixtape)

Here's a brand new mixtape from Erick Sermon with features from Method Man, Redman, Keith Murray, KRS-One and more. Listen to the whole thing and download it below. Download Mixtape... Read more

February 16, 2012 Audio, Mixes

Erick Sermon speaks with Sway Calloway on the making of his track, Music (Video)

Erick Sermon sat down with Sway and broke down the story of his classic, Music, including the MONSTROUS cost due to the Marvin Gaye sample. You can watch the convo below and see E Double do a live version of the song. Also, click here for our playlist of Erick... Read more

February 10, 2012 Video