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.
I Am The Man
B.o.B Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Up in this booth so let me introduce myself to all the haters that debate on what I do they in my face but I fade away and shoot I beat up the basket that’s the way I hoop yea just like a bottle of vodka I’m aboslut the proof is the product im hotter and that’s the truth I squish the competition with the bottom of my shoe but competition is none so what am I to do and I was worth it yea since they birth me but now I murder these verse put em in hearses I ate all the food on my plate but I am thirsty from open mics to flashin lights I learned it and what I learned is that the game aint for certain so I live my life I aint worried while I fly mile high behind curtain
Chorus:
I am the man, am the man X4
Down side ... came off ...
Trapping in the ...
Down on my dick, maybe start...
. Working, signing alemon’ money
Six sale phone, distribute to junkies,
Mad ... got ... to the money
Turn a war on ... then I ...
. Down for the zombie
For the junkie
Billie down man ... ever since I was a youngie
Blue curly chain like it came from ...
Calling jury like my name was Willy Wanker,
To the club show tall like the tonker
Chorus:
I am the man, am the man X4
I am the man; make it jumbo
Keep the game hot like a big pot of gumbo,
Do dumb shit, but don’t be thinking that I’m dumb, bro’
Watch what you say, I hear it all like I’m Dumbo
Dumb Ho, you say you wanna rumbo, is you dumb ho?
Toe to Toe, you bound to stutter or stumbo
Take your tough talk down to a mumbo (mumble)
It ain’t going down in my house like Mutumbo,
But it’s definitively an honor to light yo scalp up for the money like I'm 'pirana'?
BROTHER, brother, I consider it a pleasure
To break you down to minimal measure just for the (leasure)
(Leasure)? Oh shit, my bad, I meant the leisure
Forgot who I was talking to like I got amnesia?
Damn, back on the track again, the mac is back again
Get the word out to them boys and tell’em pack it in
Chorus:
I am the man, am the man X4
Thanks to Mike D for correcting these lyrics
The lyrics to "I Am The Man" by B.O.B. Ft. OJ Da Juiceman & Bun B are about the confidence of the rapper, who claims that he is "the man" and that he is able to beat any competition that comes his way. He says that he was always worth it, and now that he's famous, he's even better. He is not worried about anything and just lives his life while flying high behind the curtain. He also talks about his rise from living with his mother to becoming successful.
The second verse is performed by OJ Da Juiceman, and it talks about his experiences with street life, such as drug dealing and gang wars. He talks about how he started with nothing and worked his way up to become successful. He also mentions his expensive jewelry and how he likes to show it off at the club.
The third verse is performed by Bun B, and it is about him being a veteran in the rap game. He talks about doing dumb things but not being dumb himself. He also warns other rappers to watch what they say about him and claims that he can break them down to "minimal measure" for his pleasure. He finishes off by telling everyone to pack it in.
Overall, the lyrics are about the confidence and success of the rappers, but they also touch on the struggles they faced before becoming famous.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the man, I am the man, am the man
I am confident in who I am and what I bring to the table
Up in this booth so let me introduce myself to all the haters that debate on what I do they in my face but I fade away and shoot
I am a successful musician and I am addressing those who criticize me, but I will not give their opinions any power over me
I beat up the basket that's the way I hoop yea just like a bottle of vodka I'm aboslut the proof is the product im hotter and that's the truth
I dominate when I play basketball and my skill is undeniable, just like the quality of a bottle of vodka. My talent is the result of hard work and I am at the top of my game
I squish the competition with the bottom of my shoe but competition is none so what am I to do
I have surpassed the competition and there is no one who can challenge me, which leaves me unsure of how to continue pushing myself to be the best
And I was worth it yea since they birth me but now I murder these verse put em in hearses
I have always known my worth and now I am killing it in my music, leaving my competitors behind
I ate all the food on my plate but I am thirsty from open mics to flashin lights I learned it and what I learned is that the game aint for certain
I have taken every opportunity in front of me but I am still hungry for more. I have learned from performing in small venues to being in the spotlight that the music industry is unpredictable
so I live my life I aint worried while I fly mile high behind curtain
I am enjoying my success and not worried about what the future holds, while continuing to travel and perform
I am the man; make it jumbo
I am confident in my abilities and I make things big
Keep the game hot like a big pot of gumbo
I am keeping the music industry exciting and fresh, like a spicy pot of gumbo
Do dumb shit, but don't be thinking that I'm dumb, bro'
I may take risks and make mistakes, but I am still intelligent and aware
Watch what you say, I hear it all like I'm Dumbo
I am aware of what people are saying about me and my music, and I have a good memory
It ain't going down in my house like Mutombo
I will not tolerate drama or negativity in my life or my career
But it's definitively an honor to light yo scalp up for the money like I'm 'pirana'?
I enjoy winning and making money, even if it means aggressively competing in a similar way to a piranha
BROTHER, brother, I consider it a pleasure
I enjoy interacting with others and do not take myself too seriously
To break you down to minimal measure just for the (leasure)
I may enjoy challenging others and proving myself to be the better musician
Forgot who I was talking to like I got amnesia?
I may forget who I am speaking to, but not in a serious way
Get the word out to them boys and tell'em pack it in
I am confident in my skills and believe that others should give up if they cannot compete with me
Contributed by Isaiah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.