Erick Sermon

Erick Sermon, one half of the storied hip-hop pair EPMD, ranked among the genre’s most respected producers and earned the well-deserved moniker “Funklord” through his signature gritty, bass-driven soundscapes. Born November 25, 1968, in Bayshore, New York, Sermon—also known as E Double, the Green-Eyed Bandit, and MC Grand Royal—joined rapper Parrish Smith in 1986 to launch EPMD, an acronym for “Erick and Parrish Making Dollars.” The duo signed with the independent Sleeping Bag label and soon issued their first 12-inch, “It’s My Thing,” which moved an impressive 500,000 copies. In the years that followed, EPMD solidified itself as one of rap’s essential acts; the group’s tough rhythms and Sermon’s distinctive mumbled, monotone style exerted a strong influence on the rising gangsta movement. While handling their own recordings, Sermon and Smith also produced material for the extended Hit Squad family, whose roster featured Redman, K Solo, and Das EFX.

EPMD dissolved in early 1993, prompting Sermon to reappear quickly with his first solo album, No Pressure. He simultaneously became a highly sought-after producer and remixer whose credits spanned En Vogue, Blackstreet, and Shaquille O’Neal. After issuing a second solo project, Double or Nothing, in 1995, Sermon and Smith reunited EPMD in 1997 and released the album Back in Business. Shortly afterward Sermon announced his retirement from performing in order to clear space for emerging talent. Much of his activity thereafter took place behind the scenes on projects with Busta Rhymes as well as releases by Method Man and Redman. In 2008 he founded the EP Records label and reassembled EPMD for the album We Mean Business. After suffering a heart attack in 2011, Sermon turned into an advocate for cardiac health awareness. He resumed his solo career in 2015 with the single “One Shot” and the album E.S.P. His eighth studio set, titled Vernia, appeared in 2019 and featured guest appearances by Big K.R.I.T., David Banner, Keith Murray, Raekwon, and many others.