Erick Sermon is a 50 year old MC & producer from Islip, New York known for being a member of EPMD & the Def Squad. However, it was’t until the early/mid 90s where he made his solo debut No Pressure & followed with a sophomore effort Double or Nothing under Def Jam Recordings. Following the DreamWorks Records-backed Erick Onasis as well as Music & React under J Records, he contemplated retiring in the summer of 2004 with Chilltown, New York under Universal Music Group. He fortunately made a flawed yet solid comeback over a decade later with E.S.P. (Erick Sermon’s Perception) & he’s at it again with his 8th full-length album.

After the “Payne Intro”, the first song “Wake Up (No Fear)” brags about his skills over a futuristic instrumental while “Da Wave” continues the lyrical themes of the previous joint over a vintage Rockwilder beat. “Tha Game” featuring AZ & Styles P sees the 3 dissing people only out for the fame over a bass-line & a soul sample while “Go” with No Malice talks about life in the streets over a luscious boom bap instrumental.

“My Style” with N.O.R.E. & Raekwon sees the 3 showing all of their unique styles over a laidback soul sample while “That Girl” with  Big K.R.I.T. is a smooth dedication to Southern womenz “Cabinet” shouts out a plethora of legendary MCs over yet another funky instrumental & “Stay Real, Pt. 2” with Keith Murray & Nature is a fantastic sequel to a highlight off No Pressure.

The song “Zion” with Xzibit alongside David Banner & even Shaquille O’Neal spit battle bars over a boom bap beat with a sinister piano lead while “May Sound Crazy” with Devin the Dude & Too $hort finds the trio getting romantic over a g-funk beat from DJ Battlecat. “300 E” is essentially E-Dub charismatically boasting over a beautifully futuristic instrumental from Rockwilder album & it all finishes with the Apathy produced title track, which is a heartwarming dedication to his grandmother.

E.S.P. (Erick Sermon’s Perception) still has its after all this time, but Vernia sticks out as the greater album of the 2 he’s given us since making music again. Only a couple tracks I could’ve done without yet through it all, Erick really sticks to his guns lyrically remembering his late grandmother Vernia Mims with the guests mostly adding into the equation & the production mostly handled by The Green-Eyed Bandit himself is top notch including the contributions from a few noteworthy great producers.

Score: 4/5