Erick Sermon

Infobox musical artist

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Name = Erick Sermon
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Origin = Long Island, New York
Genre = Hip hop
East Coast hip hop
Years_active = 1987 - present
Label = Fresh/Sleeping Bag Records
Priority/EMI Records
BCM Records
Def Jam/PolyGram Records
DreamWorks Records
J/RCA/BMG Records
Motown/Universal Records
Associated_acts = Redman, Keith Murray, EPMD, K-Solo, Method Man, Def Squad, LL Cool J
URL = [http://www.TheGreenEyedBandit.com www.TheGreenEyedBandit.com]
Current_members =
Past_members =
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Erick Sermon, also known as Erick Onassis, (born November 25, 1968 in Bay Shore, New York) is an American rapper, musician, and producer. Sermon is best known as half of late-1980s/1990s hip hop group EPMD and for production work. He currently resides in Hauppauge, New York.

Career

"The Green Eyed Bandit" has also made multiple solo recordings and albums. He began recording solo albums for Def Jam in 1993; in 1997, he rejoined EPMD. The following year, Sermon, 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 1999.

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.

After recovering, Erick continued working on an album. "React" was released in 2002. The title track became a major hit song, though the album still had disappointing sales. 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.

On another single from the album, "Relentless", Sermon is quoted with saying "This might be my last hurrah//I'ma rock now til tomorrow", implying that Chilltown, N.Y. is potentially going to be his last album. 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 just recently produced the song "Goldmine" on Busta Rhymes' album, "The Big Bang" in 2006. Very soon after, Sermon has recorded "Don't Make No Sense" with Def Squad. He also collaborated with Redman and produced a few songs on the album "Red Gone Wild" while also making an appearance with Def Squad member Keith Murray.

In early 2008, Erick Sermon and EPMD started their own record label called EP Records, distributed by RBS/Universal Music Group

The new EPMD album, "We Mean Business", is coming out September, 2008. EPMD also has a sneaker coming out in October, 2008 through the DC Shoe Company.

Sermon was also heavily involved in Method Man's critically acclaimed 2006 album "".

Erick Sermon was featured in the final episode of Yo! MTV Raps in a legendary freestyle session featuring some of Hip-Hop's most well known artists such as Rakim, KRS-One, Redman, and MC Serch.

Discography

References

External links

* [http://thegreeneyedbandit.com/samples.htm Discography @ Erick Sermon's Official Website]
* [http://thegreeneyedbandit.com/film.htm Filmography @ Erick Sermon's Official Website]
* [http://thegreeneyedbandit.com/accomplishments.htm Career Accomplishments @ Erick Sermon's Official Website]
* [http://www.onloq.com/channels/the-breakdown/33/ Erick Sermon Interview]