In a candid interview with Questlove, Erick Sermon discusses his enduring passion for music and production after nearly four decades in the industry. Reflecting on his extensive career, Sermon notes his significant contributions to both hip-hop and R&B, having produced a vast amount of music. He compares himself to Nas, emphasizing that while he may not always receive the recognition he desires, he continues to create for the love of the craft.
Sermon explains that despite not always needing to make money from music, he remains driven by a desire to create and stay relevant. He feels confident in his abilities and is not waiting for others to dictate when his time is up. He believes he is ahead of his time and sees no reason to stop making music as long as he enjoys it.
He also touches on his ongoing commitment to writing rhymes, even if he doesn’t produce as many beats as he used to. He stays sharp by regularly writing, with his sister noting how he is always “exercising” his lyrical muscles. However, Sermon acknowledges that he wants to get back to producing more beats, ideally creating a few each day. He mentions several major artists—Beyoncé, The Game, Summer Walker—who have recently reached out for his work, prompting him to get back in the studio.
He highlights the influence of his colleague, Jazzy Jeff, who advised him to “die empty” by releasing the music stored in his laptop, and this mentality is guiding Sermon as he plans to release more of his work to the public, even if it means putting out volumes of music online.
