The first single from B.o.B's second album is Strange Clouds. It features Lil Wayne and according to the Strange Clouds Songfacts, it "is 3 minutes 47 seconds of bass heavy bragging.". The song was released on October 3, 2011.
Gladiators
B.o.B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Okay so I'm on the beat
What am I supposed to rhyme?
What am I supposed to do in this booth?
Am I to flow a line?
What am I a spokesman now?
What am I a poster child?
What am I supposed to smile?
What if I wasn't poor as a child?
What if I didn't grow up in doubt?
I probably shouldn't be smoking so much my mind is over fried
But still I notice how
Them same folks will smile in your face
But behind your back them same folk will frown
But that's enough about them, talk about me
Yes it's B to the O, I said B to the O and to the B
I owe it to the streets
And I ain't tryna brag but you know your boys a beast
And yeah I gotta eat cause my groceries on this beat
And my song will carry on till I no longer speak
My soul is also Kosher added to the fact I'm cheap
And I put that on my grandma Othella so
Rest In Peace hater
(Verse Two] [J. Cole)
A many blessings sent from heaven thanking God to be alive
Flight attendant woke me up said Mr.Cole you have arrived, welcome
In this game the price of fame is steep, Lord help 'em
Keep 'em sane
Prayin' that the heat won't melt 'em
I'm headed to the top I couldn't be more welcome
Took the lead role, now look I'm right outside ya peephole
That's for the crown holders
Never would I dethrone
But if you ever leave home don't worry I keep your seat warm
So yeah I'm Simba in a sense
I'm the prince, you impostor's no Mufasas, but there's Oscars for you gents
When I say I'm better then you niggas don't mean no offense
But is clear with no tints man just check the fingerprints
You'll see we not the same
I got a shit list with lot's of names
And plus hit list with of rappers I'ma cock and aim
Then it's who shot ya man
Finally figured out the game
Got nothin' to lose
And a whole fuckin' lot to gain
(Outro] [J.Cole)
Bwoy. Yeah, nigga. Uh, J. Cole nigga. Yeah. B.O.B nigga. Uh, A.T.L. uh. N.C. bwoy. Grand Hustle nigga. Roc Nation nigga.
In B.o.B's song Gladiators, the artist seems to be reflecting on his position as a rapper and the expectations that come along with it. He questions what he's supposed to do in the booth and wonders if he's meant to be a spokesperson or the dopest MC. He acknowledges the pressure that comes along with fame and success and how people can be fake and smile in your face but frown behind your back. B.o.B also recognizes his own success and talent as an artist, stating that he owes it to the streets and is a beast when it comes to his craft. He concludes the verse by referencing his grandmother and putting "rest in peace" to any haters.
In the second verse, J.Cole hops on the track and continues the theme of striving for success in the rap game. He expresses gratitude for his blessings and acknowledges the steep price of fame. J.Cole uses a metaphor comparing himself to Simba and the other rappers in the game as Mufasas, implying he is the rightful heir to the throne. He asserts that he is better than his competitors and has a hit list of rappers he wants to take down. Nevertheless, he acknowledges that he has nothing to lose and a lot to gain by pursuing his dreams.
Overall, the lyrics in Gladiators touch on themes of success, pressure, and competition in the rap industry, as well as the importance of staying true to oneself.
Line by Line Meaning
Okay so I'm on the beat
I'm about to start rapping on this instrumental.
What am I supposed to rhyme?
What kind of lyrics should I write to make this song great?
What am I supposed to do in this booth?
What's my role in this music industry?
Am I to flow a line?
Should I write lyrics that are easy to flow/sing along to?
What am I a spokesman now?
Am I responsible for promoting specific ideas/ideologies?
What am I a poster child?
Am I the face of a certain brand/company?
What am I supposed to smile?
Do I always have to present a happy and positive image to my fans?
What am I supposed to be the dopest MC to hold this down?
Am I expected to be the best rapper in the game?
What if I wasn't poor as a child?
How would my life be different if I didn't grow up with financial struggles?
What if I didn't grow up in doubt?
How would my perception of success be different if I grew up with more confidence?
I probably shouldn't be smoking so much my mind is over fried
I might be smoking too much weed, which could affect my mental state of mind.
But still I notice how
I'm still aware of my surroundings even with altered perceptions.
Them same folks will smile in your face
Some people will act friendly towards you even if they don't really like you.
But behind your back them same folk will frown
Those people might talk badly about you behind your back.
But that's enough about them, talk about me
Let me focus on myself and my own career.
Yes it's B to the O, I said B to the O and to the B
My name is B.o.B.
I owe it to the streets
I'm grateful to all the fans and supporters who helped me reach this point in my career.
And I ain't tryna brag but you know your boys a beast
I don't want to come across as arrogant but I know I'm a great rapper.
And yeah I gotta eat cause my groceries on this beat
I need to make money from my music to pay for my living expenses.
And my song will carry on till I no longer speak
My music will continue to be heard even after I die.
My soul is also Kosher added to the fact I'm cheap
I have good intentions and I'm thrifty with my money.
And I put that on my grandma Othella so
I swear to God and to my grandma Othella, who I love and respect.
Rest In Peace hater
To anyone who doesn't like me, I hope you can find peace in your heart and mind.
A many blessings sent from heaven thanking God to be alive
I'm grateful to be alive and feel blessed.
Flight attendant woke me up said Mr.Cole you have arrived, welcome
I just arrived at my destination and I'm greeted by a flight attendant.
In this game the price of fame is steep, Lord help 'em
The music industry is competitive and being famous comes at a cost.
Keep 'em sane
Please help me stay mentally stable despite the pressures of being famous.
Prayin' that the heat won't melt 'em
I hope I can handle the pressure without breaking down.
I'm headed to the top I couldn't be more welcome
I'm on my way to achieving my goals and I feel supported by my fans.
That's for the crown holders
This music is for the other top artists in the industry.
Never would I dethrone
I'm not trying to take anyone's place as the best rapper.
But if you ever leave home don't worry I keep your seat warm
If another top rapper decides to retire, I'll keep his spot warm in the industry.
So yeah I'm Simba in a sense
I'm like Simba from The Lion King, the prince of the music industry.
I'm the prince, you impostor's no Mufasas, but there's Oscars for you gents
I'm the rightful heir to the throne and other rappers can still earn recognition through awards.
When I say I'm better then you niggas don't mean no offense
I'm not trying to be disrespectful but I'm confident in my skills.
But is clear with no tints man just check the fingerprints
It's easy to see the difference in skill level between me and other rappers.
You'll see we not the same
I'm unique and different from other rappers in the industry.
I got a shit list with lot's of names
I have a list of people I don't like in the industry.
And plus hit list with of rappers I'ma cock and aim
I also have a list of rappers I want to defeat or overshadow.
Then it's who shot ya man
I'll prove my superiority in a rap battle against anyone.
Finally figured out the game
I've learned how the music industry works.
Got nothin' to lose
I'm not afraid of losing because I have nothing to lose.
And a whole fuckin' lot to gain
I have a lot to gain if I succeed in the music industry.
Bwoy. Yeah, nigga. Uh, J. Cole nigga. Yeah. B.O.B nigga. Uh, A.T.L. uh. N.C. bwoy. Grand Hustle nigga. Roc Nation nigga.
Some shoutouts to the artists and labels involved in the making of this song.
Contributed by John Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Young Savage and I’m basic as hell
Damn J Cole and B.O.B on a track together? How did I not know about this lol!
El Hajj Malik El
I rememer this jam from back in 2010 when B.O.B was just starting. This was one of my favorite tracks on that mixtape. I use to constantly put it on repeat.
xSsj3Sasukex
"I guess Im Simba in a sense, Im the Prince and your imposter are no Mufasas but theres Oscars for you gents." Ill
Alex Lara
Aye man y'all still on this real shit in 2021 👀🔥🔥🔥🔥
Omari Thomas
@Andrew facts on it
Antonio jesús
2022
Andrew
I’m headed to the top I couldn’t be more welcome
deniro612
raps taken such a beating of late cause of certain people just tarnishing the name and some not givin the support....give both these guys your support everyone...they may actually be able to save rap b.o.b keep on it
HeelishFace GDS
Alchemist & J.Cole =Classics
Daris Pinkston
U can tell b.o.b. freestyling on this track an still making it hot