Crossover

EPMD

About Crossover

"Crossover" is a single by hip hop group EPMD released in August 1992 from their album Business Never Personal. The song's lyrics criticize rappers who crossover to R&B or pop in order to sell more. The single became EPMD's highest charting as it climbed the Billboard charts at #42. The song was also certified gold by RIAA, becoming the group's only single to accomplish that feat. The song samples "Don't Worry If There's a Hell Below (We're All Gonna Go)" by Curtis Mayfield and Roger Troutman's "You Should Be Mine". A music video, colored in blue, was released for the song which features Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith rapping around a building under construction with other people around doing various activities like break-dancing. 


Year:
1992
136 
#3

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Let's get up, let's get down
Roll with the hardcore funk, the hardcore sound
Let's get wit this, mackadocious funk material
So simple, when I rock wit the instrumental
Who am I (E-D the Green Eyed Bandit)
Control my career so I can never get stranded
But the rest are gettin Brand Nubian
Changed up they style, from jeans to suits and
Thinking about a pop record, somethin' made for the station
For a whole new relation
Ship of a new type of scene
To go platinum and clock mad green
AKA, a sellout, the rap definition
Get off that boy, change your mission
Come back around the block
Pump Color Me Badd to the ah, tick tock
Let them know your logo, not a black thing
My background sing, my background sing for the crossover

The rap era's outta control, brother's sellin' their soul
To go gold, going, going, gone, another rapper sold
(To who) To pop and R&B, not the MD
I'm strictly hip-hop, I'll stick to Kid Capri
Funk mode, yeah, kid, that's how the Squad rolls
I know your head is bobbin' cuz the neck knows
(Not like other rappers) frontin' on they fans, they ill
Trying to chill, saying "damn, it be great to sell a mill"
Thats when the mind switch to the pop tip
(Kid, you're gonna be large)
Yea right, that's what the company kicks
Forget the black crowds, you're wack now
In a zoot suit, frontin' black lookin' mad foul
I speak for the hardcore (rough, rugged and raw)
I'm outta here, catch me chillin' on my next tour
From the US to the white cliffs of Dover
Strictly underground funk, keep the crossover

(So whatcha sayin) You wanna go pop goes the weasel
You know you should be rocking the fans wit something diesel
But you insist to piss me off black
So I flex the biceps so I can push em back
So real hardcore hip-hop continue wreck it
And all sucker MCs duck down and get the message
So ban the crossover, yo, who's wit me
(Hit Squad) yea, P, hit me

Another megablast funky dope style from cross yonder
(So help me Rhonda, help, help me Rhonda)
(Yo, from what) the crossover, yea crossing you over
Outta here, gone, peace, nice to know ya (see ya)
What a way to go out, no clout is what the fans will shout
Cause you got gassed and took the wrong route
Came on the scene, chillin', freakin' a funky dope line
But when they finish wit you (beep) flatline
Some say there's no business like show business
But if this the truth, please explain why is this
Rappers been around long, makin' mad noise you see
Still I haven't seen one rapper livin' comfortably
No time to pick and wish on a four leaf clover
I stick to underground, keep the crossover

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EPMD

EPMD is an American hip hop group from Brentwood, New York. The group's name is a concatenation of the members' name "E" and "PMD" or an acronym for "Erick and Parish Making Dollars", referencing its members, emcees Erick Sermon ("E" aka E Double) and Parish Smith ("PMD" aka Parish Mic Doc). The group has been active for 26 years (minus two breakups in 1993 and 1999), and is one of the most prominent acts in east coast hip hop. Diamond J, DJ K La Boss, and DJ Scratch were DJs for the group. more »

1 fan

Written by: ERICK S SERMON, PARRISH JOSEFF SMITH, DAVID H GAMSON, ROGER TROUTMAN

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Album Details
"Crossover" by "EPMD" is part of their fourth studio album named "Business Never Personal" released in 1992.
Chart Performance
The song "Crossover" peaked at number 42 on the U.S Billboard Hot 100 chart. On the R&B chart, it did even better, topping the chart at number 1.
Critic Message
The song was meant as a critique to other rappers who, at the time, were seen as abandoning their grassroots fanbase to gain mainstream adaptation and radio airplay.
Song Composition
Known for their heavy use of sampling, this track by EPMD sampled ‘Don’t Worry If There’s a Hell Below (We’re All Going to Go)” by Curtis Mayfield and "Think (About It)" by Lyn Collins.
Music Video
The music video of "Crossover" is a visual representation of their critique towards the music industry, showing a faux rap group named "Sell Outs" prioritizing mainstream success over their original fanbase.
EPMD Break-up
Though the "Crossover" achieved significant success, EPMD abruptly disbanded in late 1992 citing personal differences.
Lyrics Point of View
The lyrics of "Crossover" are delivered from a purist's point of view, indicating that striving for commercial success can often lead to a decline in quality of music and loss of street credibility.
Song’s Influence
"Crossover" is considered a classic in hip-hop circles, and its professional and candid view of the music industry was influential among many upcoming rappers.
Remix Versions
There are a couple of remix versions of the song, with the "Trunk Mix" being one of the popular ones.
Return in 1997
After the success of "Crossover", and the subsequent break-up, EPMD returned in 1997 with the album "Back in Business", achieving significant success.

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    Crossover

    364.8K
    4,783     92

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1992

    Billboard #42


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