Music Review: Erick Sermon: Chilltown, New York
| Published 09/17/04

Graphic by: Doni Neel

Erick Sermon, who makes up one half of the pioneering rap group EPMD, is arguably one of the more underrated artists in mainstream hip-hop. Even though he¹s produced hits over the years for Redman, Method Man, Ludacris, and LL Cool J, his solo albums he seems to get universally slept on. Since his last two albums (2001's "Music" and 2002's "React") were both lacking in compelling beats and rhymes, perhaps the low amount of support he's been receiving is understandable. However his work over the years with EPMD and on his underrated solo albums like 1995's "Double or Nothing" and 2000's "The Erick Onasis Project" show Erick as one of the most talented producer-rhymers out there.

  So it¹s good news that with his latest, "Chilltown, New York", Erick has returned to form. While his last two discs had tried too hard to be commercial, here the beats and rhymes are for the most part not tailored for radio. On one of the strongest cuts "Relentless," Sermon flows over a hardcore track for over three minutes with no chorus, explaining his frustration with the rap industry and calling out anyone who¹s had anything negative to say about him the last few years. "Street Hop" uses a Nas vocal sample on the hook while Erick is joined by longtime associate Redman, who also appears on the equally strong "Future Thug." Sy Scott, a Sermon protégé since Erick Onasis, shows impressive skills on "Listen" and "Feel It." The album's highlight "Like Me" uses a relatively slow, simple beat to emphasize Erick, Sy, and additional guest Khari's considerable abilities. Other standout tracks are "Chillin" with Talib Kweli and the funny, purposely nonsensical "Can U !

  "Hear Me Now," on which Sermon spouts empty, meaningless, clichéd rhymes, seems to prove the point that you can make a rap song about anything as long as the beats and flows are good.

  Erick Sermon has a rejuvenated attitude on this album and goes back to his original; a more street-oriented style seems to have inspired him. One might argue that he isn't really breaking any new ground here. Even though he sounds good, he seems to be regressing back to 1995 - an era when rap was more concerned with hardcore sounds.

  However you want to look at it, "Chilltown, New York" is a well-made CD that deserves a listen if you're a hip-hop fan.