Erick Sermon
Photo: MTV News

Erick Sermon is living up to his "Green Eyed Bandit" nickname. Having just moved his Def Squad imprint from DreamWorks to Clive Davis' J Records, Sermon has a boatload of money in his sights. "The J Records deal is dope," E-Double said Monday. "Just what [Clive Davis] has done at Arista and the stars he's made, he's a genius. He knows what records should be, what artists should look and sound like. Clive Davis is music." It's "Music" that has Sermon, who's been staying busy producing other artists, going through rejuvenation on the mic. Using a sample of Marvin Gaye's vocals, the song has endeared itself to the public because of its thematic break from the monotony of hip-hop song content, which lately boils down to icy wrists and necks, Bentleys, and how chicken heads flock to MCs. It's just the story of a man and his true love — music — and how it has inspired him. "Marvin used it as a third person when he was singing about music," Sermon said. "Just how it influences and affects our lives as people. I wanted to be able to show that. I have a line in the record that says 'Have black and white vibe in one room with no confrontation/ And they party all night because of the sensation of the music.' " "Music" came together when Sermon received an import version of his favorite album, Marvin Gaye's Midnight Love, as a gift from a friend. As a bonus, the LP included studio outtakes of the singer, and Sermon decided to make a song using the vocals. He started production on the track with the intent of just having something to play around the house — he was not looking to make a hit record.

"I went down in my basement and just started looping a couple of words he was saying," Sermon said. "It took me about 20 minutes to program a beat to it. Once I got the concept and a rhyme, which was like an hour-and-a-half process, I was calling [my friend] on the phone telling her to check it out." Sermon then played the song for one of his business partners, and in turn, his partner started to distribute it at the Impact music convention earlier this year, where radio station programmers dubbed "Music" a future hit and wanted to add it to their playlists.

Things happened so quickly that Sermon was caught with his pants down — he had yet to clear the sample. With the help of his friend, legendary hip-hop DJ Eric B., Sermon set up a meeting with Gaye's family and was given the OK to put out the song ... for a small fee.

"Marvin's ex-wife, Marvin III and his other son heard it and they were like 'You gave my pops some justice and it sounds good.' So they came at us with a real high number and I was prepared to pay that. We ended up paying $200,000 for the clearance and it was worth it." Sermon has devised a song that the thugs in the clubs can dance to, and at the same time your grandmother would want to sing along to. He said that now that he has the attention of a diverse congregation of listeners, he plans to address everyone with his third solo album, The Sermon, scheduled to drop in August. One of the points he plans to preach is bringing an end to the discord in the hip-hop community.

"Biggie Smalls is dead," he griped. "Tupac is dead over a rhyme, beefing back and forth because of lyrics. With a record like ['Music'] it shows that it ain't about that. Have a good time, it just makes you feel good." He plans on making people feel even better when he releases a new version of "Music," this time with more guest vocals.

"We got a remix going on with Dr. Dre and Jay-Z that will be happening around," he said. "I don't know when we are going to drop that though, because the [original version] is still heating up. Hopefully when we start dying down a little bit, we will drop that. I'm going to use the same beat. The beat was already hot so don't change it if it ain't broken." Another visitor coming to work with E-Double is Debbie Harry, who'll perform on an updated version of Blondie's "One Way or Another." "It's hard though," Sermon said of the record. "Don't picture what you think it might be. It's hard, it's hip-hop." R&B King R. Kelly will sing on a song about hardship, while veterans Scarface and LL Cool J join in on "Do Re Mi," where each vet boasts about his longevity in song-making. Foxy Brown has also collaborated with Sermon for the album, as have Def Squad members Keith Murray and Redman.

Sermon, who produced 10 tracks on the current Redman album, said that in addition to working on a new Keith Murray album, the Def Squad are planning their second LP as a collective, titled Tsunami, to be released next year. Also on his plate is a return to the foundation that made him a rap legend — Sermon has already recorded seven songs with Parrish Smith for a new EPMD album. They plan to call the new effort, their seventh, We Mean Business. "We do mean business this time," Sermon said. "Before we really weren't into ourselves because of what was going on." (During the recording of its last album, the duo was coming to the end of its relationship with longtime label Def Jam). "This time we really know what time it is. I just did two shows in Portland and San Francisco and I brought Parish with me and it was like off the meter. The type of love that is happening right now is just incredible. I just appreciate all this." You could say it's music to his ears.

• Erick Sermon
• Marvin Gaye
• Def Squad
• EPMD
• Debbie Harry

For the second time in three months, Erick Sermon and Redman will take to the steps of the Capitol building in Hartford, Connecticut, next Wednesday to rally support for the release of their Def Squad bandmate, Keith Murray.

Connecticut state Senator Eric Coleman and Murray's lawyer, Joe Moniz, are also expected to turn out for the event, a follow-up to a similar rally in July that brought out such hip-hop notables as Fat Joe, Rockwilder, and Tha Alkaholiks (see "Redman, Erick Sermon, More Plead For New Keith Murray Trial").

In 1998, Murray was convicted of a second-degree assault following an altercation with a concert promoter in Connecticut back in 1995. After being sentenced to three years in prison, the rapper failed to turn himself in to authorities and was on the lam for almost a month before surrendering to authorities (see ).

Murray's sentence was subsequently upped from three years to five, although the additional two years can be suspended if Murray keeps out of trouble while in prison or following his release on parole. To date, Murray has served 23 months of his term.

• Def Squad
• EPMD
• Keith Murray
• Redman

This past Tuesday, several hip-hop artists including The Alkaholiks, Rockwilder, The Twins, and Fat Joe came out to support Redman and Erick Sermon, who spoke on behalf of their imprisoned colleague Keith Murray.

Murray has been behind bars for the past 22 months after being convicted of second-degree assault. As we previously reported, Murray was jailed in 1998 after being convicted of a 1995 assault against a Connecticut concert promoter (see "Rapper Keith Murray Surrenders, Discusses His Time On The Run"). The rapper maintains his innocence, and his high profile supporters came together in New York on Tuesday in an effort to shed new light on the case.

Murray was convicted of hitting alleged victim David Hughes over the head with a barstool, but the rapper's supporters claim that when Hughes was struck, Murray was actually standing next to Hughes' brother, Latif, and was nowhere near the incident.

Event promoter Cory Pace has now stepped forward, saying he was offered a bribe to keep his mouth shut by the alleged victim's family. Pace said he had kept quiet because he feared for his life. In light of this new evidence, Murray's attorney Joe Moniz and entertainment counsel Larry Rudolph (Britney Spears' manager) are petitioning for a new hearing with Connecticut's Superior Court. They're hoping it will result in the release of Murray, who has been noted as a "model inmate."

Sermon says within "Three days after he's released, [Murray will] be in the studio," working on some new music. Murray's hit, "Home Alone," a duet with R. Kelly, was at the top of the "Billboard" R&B singles chart at the time of his arrest.

L.L. Cool J and Busta Rhymes were also expected to turn up for the event, but they did not attend (see "Busta, L.L., Redman Pledge Support For Keith Murray").

• Def Squad
• Keith Murray
• Redman

L.L. Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Erick Sermon, Redman, and several other notables are expected to come together in New York on Tuesday to rally in support of imprisoned rapper Keith Murray.

The aforementioned hip-hop stars will join Murray's attorneys Joe Moniz and Larry Rudolph to address the press about the rapper's on-going incarceration on a 1998 arrest for second-degree assault. As we previously reported, Murray was jailed in 1998 after being convicted of a 1995 assault against a Connecticut concert promoter (see "Rapper Keith Murray Surrenders, Discusses His Time On The Run".)

To date, Murray has served more than a year and a half of his five-year sentence, but the rapper maintains his innocence. His famous friends agree and are working with Murray's attorneys to lobby the Connecticut court system to re-address the case.

Murray's attorneys claim that an eyewitness has come forward to back up Murray's testimony saying he was bribed by the alleged victim's brothers to keep quiet. Murray's supporters also claim that the witness feared for his own safety had he testified that Murray had absolutely nothing to do with the assault.

• Busta Rhymes
• Def Squad
• LL Cool J
• Keith Murray
• Redman

Vocalist Dave Hollister is enjoying a hit on urban radio with "My Favorite Girl," the first single from his just-issued debut LP, "Ghetto Hymns." In addition to his solo career, Hollister is also a card-carrying member of the Def Squad, a rap collective that includes Redman, Keith Murray, and EPMD's Erick Sermon.

• Def Squad
• EPMD
• Dave Hollister
• Keith Murray

Although Def Squad rapper Keith Murray remains in a Connecticut prison serving a three-year sentence for a 1996 assault conviction, a new solo album from Murray, entitled "It's A Beautiful Thing," was released to stores this week.

• Def Squad
• Keith Murray

While fans await the January 12, 1999 release of his new album, "It's A Beautiful Thing," rapper Keith Murray has begun serving his sentence for second-degree assault.

His attorney, Joseph A. Moniz, says he is still investigating certain aspects of the case, and he and Murray will be in court on Friday motioning for a re-trial based on the claim that "the investigation singled Murray out because of his status as a rap star."

Keith has not given up and is turning the situation into a positive. Mr. Murray told the "New York Amsterdam News" that he is going to start a non-profit organization for underprivileged kids who are going the wrong way in life. He told the paper, "There's a lot of kids in my situation that don't have a voice. I'm trying to show people a better way."

As it stands now, Murray is serving a five-year sentence, suspended after three years. Meanwhile, fans wishing to send the rapper words of encouragement can do so to:

 Keith Murray 
c/o WRFMU 1151 East Street South Suffield, CT 06075 

• Def Squad
• Keith Murray

On Monday, rapper Keith Murray was in a Connecticut courtroom being arraigned on charges that he had failed to appear to commence serving a three-year prison term.

As we first reported on Friday (see "Rapper Keith Murray Surrenders, Discusses His Time On The Run"), Murray was on the lam for nearly a month before he finally turned himself in last Friday afternoon.

Just before surrendering, Murray told MTV news that this past month he was "taking care of things," including hiring a new attorney. By Friday however, Murray was ready to face the consequences.

"Nobody wants to go [to jail]," Murray said,

The rapper may be behind bars, but he's not out of sight. Murray can currently be seen in R. Kelly's "Home Alone" video.

• Def Squad
• Keith Murray

After being on the lam for a month, rapper Keith Murray turned himself in to Connecticut police on Friday, but not before speaking with MTV News about his time on the run.

"Right now, I'm a fugitive, but I just came to clear up some things like I'm not running from the law because I'm scared to go," the rapper explained on Friday. "I just ran because I had to take care of a few things with my business and with my family and with my case with evidence so I could go in and be prepared to come out as soon as possible. I'm not a fugitive on the run, dangerous person. I didn't rape a girl and I didn't hit nobody with a chair." [28.8 RealVideo]

Murray was convicted of assault in 1996 after a jury found him guilty of striking a man with a chair. The rapper had been free on appeal until a Connecticut judge ordered him to begin serving a three-year prison sentence on September 24. On that date, Murray failed to turn himself in, and the very same judge ordered the rapper to be re-arrested and set Murray's bail at $2 million.

"I had to prepare myself to go in and at the time, I wasn't prepared to go in there and rot like that," Murray told MTV News of his decision. "But now I'm going up there to turn myself in with my lawyer and everything and when the situation is turned over, I'll be out as soon as possible."

After his interview, Murray left for Connecticut with his Def Squad partner Eric Sermon and his manager. He turned himself in to Connecticut police Friday afternoon, and he faces a court date in the case Monday morning.

Murray continues to maintain his innocence, and said that much of the last month has been spent finding ways to overturn the verdict.

"I switched attorneys, I seeked better counseling, and I got numerous grounds to get my case turned over," Murray said. "I was getting together evidence and going over the case with him during this period of time (when) I didn't turn myself in. So it ain't like I just disrespected the law. I'm not a bad person. I had to take care of what was right for me before I go in there and I couldn't maneuver."

Murray remains optimistic that he will not have to serve the complete three-year sentence.

"I don't know the procedures exactly," Murray said. "It could take a month, two months, a year, six months, but hopefully, God willing, it won't be too long."

The rapper added that his decision to postpone the start of his sentence was not based on his feelings about the initial verdict, but that he did find it hard to come to terms with.

"Emotion didn't play a part in me not going," Murray told MTV News. "Of course, I feel like a got a raw deal. I'm emotionally moved by it. I'm not happy about it, but that didn't play a part in me not going."

The jailtime comes as Murray was preparing to release his upcoming solo album on December 15, and just as he is due to turn up on a remix of the Beastie Boys' next single, "Body Movin'."

Murray seemed to have resurfaced briefly this week, calling in to a New York cable access show called Star and Buc-Wild's Player Hater Line on Monday and claiming, "Listen, it ain't the fact that I'll turn myself in for a time. It's a conspiracy theory against me, yo... And we all know how it's going to blow over, just like you said Star. That time is going to blow over, but right now I'm in a situation, sh** ain't no game" (see "Keith Murray Surfaces On Cable Access Show, Remains A Wanted Man"). Murray claims that he did not make the call, and that the caller was, in fact, an imposter.

• Def Squad
• Keith Murray

Rapper Keith Murray, who has been on the run for about a month after failing to begin a three-year prison term, called into a New York cable access show on Monday night.

Murray, who was convicted of assault in 1996, was out on appeal until September 24 when he was ordered by a Connecticut judge to begin serving the three-year sentence. When Murray failed to turn himself in, the same judge ordered him re-arrested and set his bail at $2 million.

Before Monday's call to Star and Buc-Wild's Player Hater Line, no one had seen or heard from Murray since the judge's order, although his Def Squad cohort Redman alluded to Murray's whereabouts when speaking with Chris Connelly last weekend at the MTV Sports and Music Festival.

"That's for me to know and y'all motherf***ers to find out," Redman told MTV News when asked where Murray might be.

"Stealth bombers couldn't find him," Method Man added.

"I got him right here in my pocket. Say ho! What up Murray?," Redman joked.

Ironically, it was Redman's DJ who called into the cable access show and put Murray on the line Monday night.

"Yo Star what up? It's Keith Murray," the rapper said during his call to the show. "Listen, it ain't the fact that I'll turn myself in for a time. It's a conspiracy theory against me, yo... And we all know how it's going to blow over, just like you said Star. That time is going to blow over, but right now I'm in a situation, sh** ain't no game."

If anyone in Keith's camp knows where he is, they aren't talking. Murray came into the MTV studios while out on appeal in August, and at the time it seemed like he was ready to face the music.

"If I got to go," the rapper told MTV News at the time. "If god wants me to go, I'll go and when I come back, I'll be sharper, more intelligent, more lethal to the system, more lethal towards anything that's opposing or oppressing situations that I feel in my heart for, you know what I mean."

• Def Squad
• Keith Murray