Strictly Business - EPMD

«I shot the Sheriff»

Don’t get too close because you might get shot

«I shot the Sheriff»

Try to answer to the master or the MC rap god is no joke

On the lyric — it’s hard to be modest

I knew I was the man with the master plan

To make you wiggle and jiggle, like gelatin

Just think while I sink, into the brain structure

Don’t sleep on the E

You see, somethin' might rupture

It don’t take time for me to blow your mind

Take a second to wreck it because you’re dumb and blind

So just lounge… 'cause you’re an MC clown

Go join the circus… EPMD’s in town

Total chaos — no mass confusion

Rhymes so hypnotizin' known to cause an illusion

Like a magician… who draws a rabbit out a hat, son

I draw them all like a .44 Magnum

MC, freeze stop look and listen, and try to imagine

It’s travellin' the speed of light, but everything’s motionless

Is frightening… plus the thought you alone

You now enter dimension, called the Twilight Zone

You’re terrified… plus you can’t bear the thought

You and I one-on-one, in the Land of the Lost

You start to shiver… then you scream, my friend

Yo, wake up, Muttley, because you’re dreamin' again

But next time I’m on the scene, do not try to diss us

Keep your mouth shut sucker duck, because I’m strictly business

«I shot the Sheriff»

Don’t get too close because you might get shot

I’m Strictly Business

«I shot the Sheriff»

Don’t get too close because you might get shot

This is the rap season when the E starts pleasin'

Girls around the world no need to be skeezin'

When I roll I stroll, Cool always pack a 2

Just in case a brother acts a fool

I’ve got the energy to put the girlz in a frenzy

Put a shock when I rock even though I’m not stingy

Make sure I don’t bore when I’m on the dance floor

Get busy, boy

Like you never saw before

Rhyme flow good to go

After the show I’ll pull your hoe, boy

«Do you sniff blow?»

— Hell no

Got my whole life ahead of me, no time to be sniffin'

And if my parents find out, then they start riffin'

So I stay, A-OK

'Cause I’m the E the R-I-C-K

MC’s look me in the face and their eyes get weak

Pulse rate descends heart rate increases

It’s like beam me up, scotty, I control your body

I’m as deadly as AIDS when it’s time to rock a party

With all due respect, when I say mike check

I let a sucker slide once then I break his neck

So when I say jump, you’ll reply «How high?»

Because I’m takin' no prisoners, so don’t play hero and die

You’re just a soldier and I’m a Green Beret

I do not think twice about the MCs I slay

So if you want to battle, I highly recommend this

Bring your dog, mom, and dad because I’m Strictly Business

Yo, yo, you’re still pickin' on that four-leaf clover?

Bring in the sandman, sucker because it’s over

My name is Eric Sermon and I’m back again

I see the head’s still turnin' of my so-called friends

They smile in my face — behind my back they talk trash

Mad and stuff — because they don’t have cash

Like the E-Double or the Pee-MD

He drives a Corvette, I drive a semi-iroc Suzuki

I’m the locksmith with the key to fame

Never high on myself, always stay the same

Play a lot because I’m hot and like a horse I trot

Around the track and back

Fatigued?

No, I’m not

I’m the mellow, the fellow, the one that likes to say hello

To a fly girl that is good to go

With the slow tempo and the off-beat rhyme flow

'Cause when I am in action, there is no time for maxin' or relaxin

Just reactin' and subtractin'

On a sucker MC who’s mouth keeps on yappin' and flappin'

I lose my cool, then I’ll be start slappin' and smackin'

You on a roll, then I’ll be start jackin' and cappin'

No time to lounge, I’m packin' and strappin'

At my point attack I soar at you like an eagle

I’m the sheriff, and bitin' is illegal

So next time in town, I highly recommend this

You gots to chill, because I’m Strictly Business