percy

Introducing ‘Notes from Mr. Sandman‘ – a column slapping a spotlight on lyricists overlooked, under appreciated, or just plain criminally slept on. Or like a man named Nas once said, “I never sleep, cause sleep is the cousin of death.” Enter Mr. Sandman with what y’all missed while chasing the REM dragon.


John Percy Simon, better known as Percee P, is a hip-hop thoroughbred. A hard hat and lunch pail lyricist who was embracing the DIY lifestyle before it even became a thing. His story is like that of a playground legend, a guy who kept it real and never sold out because the game, the art was what mattered most.

Born in the Bronx Percy saw hip-hop in its infancy and was immediately taken with it, handling the mic with confidence as young as ten-years-old. He would work the underground circuit for years sharpening his sword, slowly crafting a style that’s equal parts Big Daddy Kane and Rakim.

His appearance on the famous Stretch and Bobbito show helped shine a light on him eventually leading to a major label single in “Lung Collapsing Lyrics.”  Percee, even then, was a lyrical tommy gun, spitting verses fast and without reproach, hitting the ultimate trifecta target: substance, style and charisma: [LISTEN]

Lung Collapsing

Percee was ahead of his time and so totally unique that labels didn’t know what to do with him. A bit jaded, he stepped away from rap living the life of your average joe, which only added to his folklore – this supremely talented lyricist who didn’t like what he saw and bounced.

It wasn’t until the late ’90s that he would meet guys like Peanut Butter Wolf who immediately recognized his talent – that his lyrics could run through a brick wall. They went to work and Percee kept churning out one blistering jam after another.

His appearance on Jaylib‘s Champion Sound for “The Exclusive” was a major highlight for him, being able to work with two of the greatest hip-hop producers of all time only enhanced his credibility. It was only a minute and half, but it was raw and edgy enough to make room for Percee to step right in, bust heads, and dip. Stealth, just like he’s always done: [LISTEN]

The Exclusive

Despite his reputation as a lyricist’s lyricist Percee only released one album, Perseverance produced entirely by Madlib. On it you’ll hear the culmination of a decade’s plus worth of commitment. There are the classic P moments like on “Watch Your Step” where he bobs and weaves through a chorus of violins: [LISTEN]

Watch Your Step

Followed by moments where he lets the story shine like on “The Man to Praise,” proving his ability to experiment with different forms: [LISTEN]

The Man to Praise

That album was it. Nothing since then, other than a few singles here and there, P once again going underground. But for those that know him best they know that he’s always writing, waiting for the right time to reemerge and wow again. In the meantime the name Percee P will always be known as a verb, not a noun, a way to express the hardest type of grind there is in rap, the DIY kind.