Strictly Business

[erick sermon]
Yo, what's up pmd?

[pmd]
Ayo coolin man, done with this album, about to take it up to leon
Wills, see what they say.

[e] hold up man, we ain't bringing nothing up until i diss this girl, man.
[p] aw, you ain't going to go into that jane thing again?
[e] you know i had to diss her! i told her don't mess with me, you know?
[p] but why you gotta be bothering with that skeezer? that was way back
In 1986!
[e] let me tell you how it went anyway

[e] hanging out late drinking a couple of brews
[p] turn on the radio put the shit on snooze
[e] so when it's time to get up, the radio comes on
[p] blasting in my ear with the hip-hop song
[e] five minutes later i hear someone knocking
[p] yo outside yo, my stereo's rocking
[e] saying in my mind "who can it be?"
[p] it was me, the p double e m d
[e] i said yo
[p] i said yo
[e] what's up trooper? i have a girl and she wants me to duke her
[p] why didn't you?
[e] i woulda have been, only thing she brung along a friend
So pmd (yo?) why don't you do me a favor?
Chill with the bitch and i'll hook you up later
She's fly, haircut like anita baker
[p] looked up and down and said "hmm, i'll take her"
She came in, i said "hi my name is p"
She said "hello my name is j-a-n-e"
I said "jane, oh, what a nice name"
It reminds me of a high school flame
[e] she came behind me and then she rubbed my back
She started moaning and said "yo, let's hit the sack"
Went to my room because she was kinda bossy
Girl broke buckwild
[p] and started playing horsey
[e] she showed pain but inside she felt joy
[p] ayo she broke wild and said "ride em cowboy!"
[e] three o'clock on the dot
[p] tired of busting her
[e] woke up in the morning to my record "you're a customer"
She left me a note, she called me the medicine
Said next time you have to be better
[p] bigger
[e] stronger and much faster
[p] and you don't quit, epmd rock double
[e] to the funky shit!

[pmd]
Coolin on the scene like a horse in a stable
A brother got ill and tried to snatch a fat cable
I stepped back, like it wasn't no thing
Punched him in the jaw with the fat gold ring
I had an ace in the hole when it came to that
(yo p you was packin?) you know i'm strapped
Posse kept rollin it was hard to get with em
So i stepped back, and unbuttoned my lee denim
They kept coming, just like i figured
So i stepped back, and started sprayin niggaz

[e double]
What a way to go out, out like a sucker
But i'm on track, like a long island train
That can head your mission, suckers who be dissing
Always on my jock like a snake always hissing
Grabbing and tapping me like luther vandross
Take me to the bar for the drink and make a toast
Givin best wishes to the best mc
The e the d-o-u-b-l-e
Because i'm housin (3x)

[pmd]
Coolin at a party, no better yet disco
Head feelin mellow from a bottle of cisco
Move...
To crush and fry a sucker mc like crisco
Every chance i get, i try to kill
That's one less sucker new jack, who tried to act ill
I keep the place jumpin til the party's through
Whether it's disco, hardcore, or rhythm and blues
Take off your coat, won't you stay a while
Check out the voice that is smooth and mild
It's like wheel of fortune, go on for big money
Come cold rock the party, and leave wit ya honey

[e double]
Gimme the cue, check one two
Don't try to come off on me, because you doo-doo
Treatin me the e doubl-e, like a stepchild
Well let me tell you homeboy you're livin foul
Mc's, you know who you are
(on the bandwagon) why p? (cuz you a star)
This is the year that when the joker's are wild
When a fag can't hack it and try to bite the style
I get hip to the scheme, before it happens
If it gets wild, then i start cappin
But for now, since everything's calm
Relate to the matter as i drop the bomb
As i proceed to rock, the girls are clockin
Some brothers act hard but the rest are jockin
Because i'm housin (4x)

[pmd]
I come on strong, like a bodybuilder
Cast a spell upon a sucker, like witch matilda
Deliver a rhyme like federal express
My intention's not to dis, but impress
For the ladies and gents, the money was spent
To see the e-p-double-e-m-d (yes the main event)
In concert... not worried bout oos n boos (because we do work)
To make your body jerk
(to make your girl want to leave her man and start to flirt
With the p) double-e md double e'n
I'm not skeezing, but pleasing
All party goers, also behind show-ers
Who like the not, fast slow flow of rhymes that form in my dome
Out the mouth, to the microphone
Because i'm housing (4x)

Dj la boss, on the scratch
Lounge
(my homeboy big daddy kane, bizmarkie)

[parrish smith]
You gots to chill.. to chill.. *echoes*

* dj k la boss cuts "jungle boogie!" *

[erick sermon]
Relax your mind, let your conscience be free
And get down to the sounds of epmd
Well you should keep quiet while the mc rap
But if you tired -- then go take a nap!!
Or stay awake and watch the show i take
Because right now -- i'm bout to shake'n'bake
The e-r-i-c-k is my name, i spell
Thanks to the clientele, yo i rock well
I'm not an mc who talkin all that junk
About who can beat who, soundin like a punk
I just get down and i go for mine
Say 'check one-two', and run down the line

[parrish smith]
To the average mc i'm known as the terminator
Funky beat maker, new jack exterminator
Destroy an employ', when your rhymes are not void
Never sweatin your girl (why p?) cause she's a skeezoid
When i'm on the scene i always rock the spot
I grab the steel with the crown on top
In the beginnin -- i like to let my rhymes flow
And at twelve i press cruise control
Sit back and relax, let my rhymes tax
Maintain mc's while the double e macks
Always calm under pressure, no need to act ill
Listen when i tell you boy, you gots to chill.. *echoes*

* dj k la boss cuts "jungle boogie!" *

[erick sermon]
I be the personal computer information on rap
Like the b-i-z markie says, i'll make your toes tap
I format the rhymes, step by step
Make em sound def to maintain my rep
Prepared to come off, in case of a diss
Not worried about a thing, cause we can do this
I can turn the party out just by standin still
Make the ladies scream and shout while the brothers act ill
Take total control, of your body and soul
Pack a nine in my pants for when it's time to roll

[parrish smith]
I'm the p, double-e, m-d-e-e
And one thing i hate, is a bitin mc
When i enter the party suckers always form a line
Then they ease their way up, and try to bite my lines
I did thousands of shows, dissed many faces
And deal with new jacks, on a one-to-one basis
But every now and then a sucker mc gets courageous
And like an epidemic it becomes contagious
But never the least they all r.i.p
For all those unaware it means rest in peace
Cause m.d. -- stands for microphone doctor
And the capital p (capital p) capital m (capital m)
Capital d-e-e's no doubt the chief rocker
Don't like to get ill, but if i have to i kill
So believe me boy, you gots to chill.. *echoes*

* dj k la boss cuts "jungle boogie!" *

[erick sermon]
Catch every word i'm sayin, no there's no delayin
Don't hestitate to motivate the crowd i'm not playin
Seeing is believin, you catch my drift?
Don't try to a-dapt because i'm just too swift
(how swift?) i'm so swift and that's an actual fact
I'm like zorro, i mark a e on your back
I don't swing on no ropes or no iron cords
The only weapon is my rappin sword

[parrish smith]
Intimidate mc's with the tone of my vocal drone
When i'm pushin on the microphone
Cause i'm the funky rhyme maker, mc undertaker
The one who likes to max and relax..
And when it's time, issue diggum-smack
I keep their hands clappin, fingers snappin, feet tappin
When it's time to roll uzi patrol was packin
The pmd, the mic's my only friend
And through the course of the party, i kill again and again
So if you're thinkin bout battlin you better come prepared
Come witcha shield and your armor geared
You gots to chill.. *echoes*

* dj k la boss cuts "jungle boogie!" *

[e] dj la boss...
[p] ...takes no shorts

[erick sermon]
Knick knack patty whack give a dog a bone
Yo, don't give him nothing but a microphone
Don't stop, i'm not finished yet
You said i'm not the e, you wanna make a bet?
Remember this: lounge, you in the danger zone
I figured you would, now leave me alone
You pick and you wish on a four-leaf clover
To be the e double e over and over
You're intrigued by the way i do my thing
(do what?) pick up the mic high and make it swing

[pmd]
I have the capability to rap and chill
Cold wax and tax mc's who tend to act ill
It's like a diggum smack
Smack me and i'll smack you back
I get goosebumps when the bassline thumps
A sucker mc arrives, now it's time for lunch
When i'm cooling on the scene, i notice one thing
I'm not bounce, so sucker mc's cling
I consider myself better than average
Yo, i rock the mic like a wild beast savage

[erick sermon]
I'm in the bottling state, i can't concentrate
I make a move like chess, and then i yell "checkmate"
You know why i get zanier and zanier?
Because of epmd mania
When i walk through the crowd i can see heads turning
I hear voices saying "that's erick sermon"
Not only from the women, but from the men
You know what? it feels good, my friend

[pmd]
I'm the p double e, the thrilla of manilla
Better known as the mc cold killer
Pmd cold keeps the place jumping
And if not then we feel like we owe you something
Like lotto, you have to be in it to win it
But if the beat is fresh then diamond j will spin it
If j spin it, then it has to be fresh
To make you dance until there's no one left

Cause you a customer

[erick sermon]
Praying like a prey when the fox in action
I smell blood, no time for maxing
Camoflauge in the green, my back is arc
Plus you in trouble cause it's after dark
My eyes close like ?steve austin?, i got you in the square
I will let you run, nah, that ain't fair
So i clear my visions until i can spot him
Snatch him by the neck and say "hmmm i got him"

[pmd]
Whenever mc's, you're in over your head
My rhymes are hungry plus they haven't been fed
The process of elimination is quite simple
Let you grow like a blackhead and pop you like a pimple
Slice you like lettuce, toss you like a salad
Revoke your mc license if your rhymes ain't valid
As we go on, sucker mc's sound wacker
Like a parrot says "polly want a cracker"

[erick sermon]
Well it was a ???? test, nothing we can't handle
At the house they had the mics on the mantle
Looked at the dj and said "may i?"
Lit it up like the fourth of july
Because i float like a butterfly, sting like a bee
Woah, i'm the e of epmd
I have a strong point of view on the way things run
Just shut up and listen and learn my son

[pmd]
I'll drop that ass like bounty, the quicker picker upper
To tell you up front, you're nothing but a sucker
The style we're using, no doubt copastetic
You try to bite and yet sound pathetic
Cause i'm a rhyme like a taylor, flow like a sailor
As the beat gets stronger, mc's get staler
Not bragging or protagging, surely not fagging
Mc's surrender, raise the flags and
Give up the titles because the signs are vital
I keep a voice tuned at a slow and swift idle

You a customer

[erick sermon]
I need a man meal sandwich, yes i need manwich
I feel good, now it's time to do damage
I flow like bounty, you know what i mean?
Wanna rhyme one time, do the least of steam
When i grab the mic i get dramatic like an actor
You know why i get over? i'm the master
I do a show, pack it in til it's clamming up
Look for the microphone then jam it up

[pmd]
You said you see me jamming in new york tech
You got one right fella, you deserve a check
How did you know, you must have been jocking
How do you know the places i be rocking?
Don't follow me fella, every move that i make
I'm hostile now so i'll give you a break
Well search upon me but don't go past the limit
Here's a card and on the back is my fan club digits

[erick sermon]
There's two things to check out in the words that i'm saying
Plus listen to the good time playing
Bro is bad, the strings he's plucking
Fire rhyme after rhyme, watch mc's duck and

[pmd]
Mc's, the final countdown
You look tired, can you go the round?
If you can, i'll slap your hand and give you credit
And if not, i'll turn around and say "forget it"

[erick sermon]
People say that i'm a party pooper
To tell the truth i'm a born trooper

You a customer

{helicopter flies overhead}

"it's my thing!"

"and the stadium is packed..
There's a large crowd out there today..
Let's hear them play"

"you out there? louder!"
"it's my thing!"

"you out there? louder!"
"it's my thing!"

[parrish smith]
Mc's out there, you better stand clear
Epmd is a world premier
From new york straight talk, america's best
Cold wild long island, is where we rest

[erick sermon]
("you out there? louder!")
Style of the rap, makes your hands clap
Take care of myself because the lines are strapped
Day mean business, no time for play
If you bite a line, we'll roll your way
("you out there? louder!")
The more you bite, your body gets hot
Don't get too close, because you might get shot
Gnawin at my rhyme like a poisonous rat
Don't play dumbo, you're smarter than that

[pmd] it's my thing

"it's my thing!"
"you out there? louder!"

"it-it, it, it-it, it-it, it's my thing!"

[parrish smith]
The rhythmatic style, keeps the rhyme flowin
Good friends already bitin, without you knowin
("you out there? louder!")
Can't understand, why your body's gettin weaker
Then you realize, it's the voice from the speaker
The mind become delirious, situation serious
Don't get ill, go and get curious
("it's my thing!")

[erick sermon]
Nuff about that, let's get on to somethin better ("louder!")
And if gets warm, take off the hot sweater
And if you want some water, i'll get you a cup
And if you don't want it, then burn the hell up
("you out there? louder!")
I'm tellin you now boy, you ain't jack
Talkin much junk like mr. t at your back
But he's not, so don't act cute
Cause if you do you in hot pursuits

[pmd] it's my thing

"it's my thing!"
"you out there? louder!"

"it-it, it, it-it, it-it, it's my thing!"

[parrish smith]
As the song goes on you will notice a change
The way i throw down, the way i say my name
("you out there? louder!")
The mic that i'm packin, is flame resistant
So mc be cool, and keep your distance
When i walk into the party girls are screamin at me
I park my mic and my hoes, and then i yell freeze..
.. music please

"it's my thing!"

[erick sermon]
Ah where was i? oh yes
Say a def rhyme then i plumb the rest
("you out there? louder!")
Everytime i rock a rhyme i can tell that you like it
Emotion is strong, like the mind of a psychic
The mind is weary, floatin like a dove
Sweating and things, like cause you was makin love
Control the crowd, so they can accept it
Total concentration is the perfect method

[pmd] it's my thing

"it's my thing!"
"you out there? louder!"

"it-it, it's my, it-it, it's my thing!"

[parrish smith]
The wack i subtract, the strong i attack
The ones who grab the mic and freeze, i throw it back
("you out there? louder!")
I perfect and eject, make mc's sweat
Take em off on the mic then i tell em step
Not waiting or debating, cause mc's keep hating
Play me too close, like two dogs mating
("it's my thing!")

[erick sermon]
("you out there?")
Now let's get on with the rest of the lesson
Don't really like it when suckers start messin
Tryin to make a scene, talkin very loud
Talkin much junk to attract a crowd
("you out there? louder!")
You say you wanna battle, your first mistake
You get quiet and stuff, like you was at a wake
In the beginnin, you knew you wasn't winnin
Now you feel ashamed, your head starts bendin
Kinda upset boy -- i understand
You lost again -- i won, god damn

[pmd] it's my thing

"it's my thing!"
"you out there? louder!"

"it-it, it, it-it, it-it, it's my thing!"

[parrish smith]
My funky fresh lyrics, put you in the spirit
I speak a little louder for you suckers can't hear it
("you out there? louder!")
The rhymes i designed, are right on time
And at the crowd on my mic, flash a danger sign
Cause i'm the thriller of manilla, mc cold killer
Drink budweiser, cannot stand miller
Mc's cold clockin til the party's through
Then they tap me on my shoulder and say, "this bud's for you"
("it's my thing!")

[erick sermon]
("you out there? louder!")
To be a real mc, you can't be obedient
To be smooth is the main ingredient
You have to be silky like a milky way
To be able to make it work, you rest and play
("you out there? louder!")
I control the pace of the rate the rhymes blowin
Hydraulically jacked, is the way they're flowin
Slow yes, just like they're awed
The comparison is wave like the motion of water, smooth..

"it's my thing!"
"you out there? louder!"

"it-it, it, it-it, it-it, it's my thing!"

[parrish smith]
While the record is spinnin, got your fly girlie grinnin
Md is on the mic, you know i'm only beginnin
("you out there? louder!")
Rhymes fresher than fresh, never heard me fess
Scored 110, on my mc test
My rhymes are strong than tyson, hold a mc license
When i grab the mic, mc's get frightened

[erick sermon]
("you out there? louder!")
I'm dangerous, i'm here to crush some bones
Lounge homeboy you in the danger zone ("it's my thing!")
What i mean by lounge, i don't mean bitin, huh
You mess around, and we'll be fightin
It's alright if you bite, but don't recite
Because the rhymes are mine, and that ain't right
("you out there? louder!")
But until just chill to the next episode
Donald j, yo, release the code

[pmd] it's my thing

"it's my thing!"
"it's my thing!"
"you out there?"

"it-it, it, it-it, it-it, it's my thing!"

"it's my thing! it's my thing! it's my thing!"
("you out there? louder!")
"it-it, it, it-it, it-it, it's my thing!"

"la-la-loud-la-loud-la-louder!"
"it's my thing!"
"you out there? louder!"
"it's my thing!" *music fades*
"you out there?"
"ya ya ya-ya ya-ya ya-ya you out there?"