One of the most popular African-American comedians of the late 1990s, TV star turned screen actor Jamie Foxx first became known for his many roles on Keenen Ivory Wayans’ long-running comedy variety show In Living Color. Since then, Foxx has played both raucous and sensitive nice-guy roles in a number of films, and earned particular acclaim for his portrayal of a talented but egotistical quarterback in Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday.
Born Eric Bishop in the small town of Terrell, Texas, on December 13, 1967, Foxx was raised by his grandparents after his parents separated. He enjoyed a happy upbringing, going to church every day with his grandparents and excelling at everything from academics to music to football. During his teen years he had his first taste of the entertainment business as his church’s choir director and music director, and also started his own R&B band. Foxx studied music while a student at the U.S. International University in San Diego; it was during his college days that he got his start as a stand-up comedian. Attending a comedy club one night with some friends, he was encouraged to take the stage and perform some impersonations, which proved incredibly popular with the audience. Foxx’s enthusiastic reception led to his decision to move to L.A. and pursue a comedy career. At the age of 22 he was hired for In Living Color, and he subsequently landed a recurring role on Charles Dutton’s sitcom Roc in 1985.
Foxx was ultimately given his own show in 1996; that same year, he appeared in a supporting role in The Truth About Cats and Dogs, which cast him as a friend of Ben Chaplin. He was also featured in the boxing satire The Great White Hype, and the following year he got star billing opposite fellow comedian Tommy Davidson in the poorly received comedy Booty Call. After playing a DJ in Ice Cube’s The Players Club (1998), Foxx earned some of his best reviews to date for his role in Any Given Sunday (1999). He subsequently returned to straight comedy, starring in Antoine Fuqua’s crime comedy Bait as an ex-con trying to mend his ways, and as a man caught in a convenience stored robbery in Held Up.
In 2001, Foxx was given an opportunity to again flex the dramatic chops he displayed in Any Given Sunday with a role as Drew Bundi Brown in Michael Mann’s biopic Ali. Then, after a role in the barely seen 2003 Sylvester Stallone drama Shade, Foxx embarked on his busiest year yet. 2004 saw him star in no fewer than four films, the most noteworthy of them being the thriller Collateral. The tense summer flick not only saw Foxx again under the direction of Mann, but cast on an equal level with Hollywood uber-star Tom Cruise. His turn as a hapless cab driver who is forced into a menacing partnership slowly advancing Foxx’s dramatic screen presence, the role served as proof to many that his talents extended well beyond what many may have suspected. When it was announced shortly thereafter that Foxx would be donning the trademark sunglasses to essay the role of legendary blues pianist Ray Charles in Director Taylor Hackford’s eagerly anticipated biopic Ray, it was only a matter of time before audiences found out how deep Foxx’s talents as an actor truly ran. So effective was Foxx in recreating Charles’ unique style and unmistakable visage that many critics speculated an Oscar nomination may be in calling for the one-time funnyman turned dramatic powerhouse. When the star-studded evening in February did finally arrive and the envelope that would reveal the best actor of 2005 was breathlessly opened, Foxx did indeed take the prize — raising already stratospheric expectations regarding his future career to a fever pitch.
Foxx subverted expectations by capitalizing on his Oscar win with an R&B album that garnered respectable reviews and solid sales. He returned to films in the summer action flop Stealth — in a supporting role to would-be superstar Josh Lucas — and appeared as a leader of men in Sam Mendes’ Gulf War film Jarhead. In 2006 he reteamed with Michael Mann, starring as Tubbs in the big-screen adaptation of Miami Vice. Late in the year, he starred in the much-anticipated adaptation of the musical Dreamgirls, opposite fellow actor-musicians hyphenates Eddie Murphy and Beyoncé Knowles. He is also known for his big leading role in Law Abiding Citizen.
VIP
Jamie Foxx Lyrics
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Walked up in the spot like what, getting
Love from the ladies and the thugs
I'm just, tryin' to get this party off
So this, can be a night to remember
Ladies looking so damn fly
About, ten of them caught my eyes
I might, show them the time if their lives
[Chorus]
Everybody in my party is VIP
We gone sip champagne for free
Your night of ecstasies on me
Letting people in
Cause everybody in my party is VIP
We gone shot patron for free
Your night of ecstasies on me
Come on to VIP
[Verse 2]
Niggas ain't been giving no mugs
Their just, trying to get their cups filled up
With that, juice that makes ya want to
Cause the, mood is alright in here
Ladies ain't been tripping at all
She's been, promising them draws gone fall
I might, love you right in front of all y'all
Cause its, all my party I can do what I want to
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
Everybody?s with me
Halle Berry, Jada, (and) Mary J. Blidge, Vivica
And Latifah, Oprah tonight
(All my homies with me)
T. Cruise and Big Willy, Usher and P. Diddy
Denzel, Samuel tonight, tonight
[Chorus]
In Jamie Foxx's song VIP, he paints a picture of a night out where he is the center of attention. The song starts off with Jamie entering the room and receiving love from the ladies and the thugs. The artist reveals that he is trying to get the party started so that this could be a memorable night. However, he gets distracted by some ladies who caught his eyes and might show them the time of their lives as it is a special party tonight.
The chorus emphasizes that everyone in Jamie's party is VIP, and they are going to sip champagne and shot patron for free. It seems like it is going to be a night of ecstasy on Jamie. In the second verse, Jamie talks about how the guys are not interested in fighting, but they want their cups filled up so they can enjoy the night. The ladies are not causing any drama, and it seems like everyone is happy and enjoying themselves. Jamie even hints that he might love someone in front of everyone as it is his party and he can do what he wants.
The song ends with a bridge that lists multiple famous personalities like Halle Berry, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mary J. Blige, and Oprah, amongst others. It seems like Jamie is trying to illustrate he has connections to famous people, and they are all with him on this VIP night.
Line by Line Meaning
Walked up in the spot like what, getting
Entered the venue with confidence, acknowledging the attention from both the women and men.
Love from the ladies and the thugs
Appreciating the admiration from both women and men who have a certain vibe or attitude.
I'm just, tryin' to get this party off
Doing what it takes to make sure that the party is successful and memorable.
So this, can be a night to remember
Hoping that everyone has a good time and this night becomes an amazing experience.
Ladies looking so damn fly
Noticing how attractive the women at the party look.
About, ten of them caught my eyes
Finding around ten women particularly intriguing.
I might, show them the time if their lives
Possibly entertaining these particular women in a way that they will never forget.
Cause its, a special party tonight
Acknowledging that this party is an exclusive and unique event.
Everybody in my party is VIP
Implying that every guest is important and deserves to be treated with respect and appreciation.
We gone sip champagne for free
Providing complimentary drinks for guests.
Your night of ecstasies on me
Promising that this will be an enjoyable night and that everything is taken care of.
Letting people in
Allowing entrance to all those who are willing to have a good time.
Niggas ain't been giving no mugs
Men are not displaying any negative vibes or attitudes.
Their just, trying to get their cups filled up
Simply trying to enjoy the drinks and have a good time.
With that, juice that makes ya want to
Drinking a beverage that gives you an enjoyable feeling.
Cause the, mood is alright in here
Acknowledging the positive vibe of the party.
Ladies ain't been tripping at all
Women are not causing any problems and are being easygoing.
She's been, promising them draws gone fall
Implying that a woman at the party is making suggestions to be intimate with someone.
I might, love you right in front of all y'all
Possibly showing affection to someone in front of everyone else.
Cause its, all my party I can do what I want to
Being the host of the party and having the freedom to do what you want.
Everybody?s with me
Acknowledging that many celebrities are present at this party.
Halle Berry, Jada, (and) Mary J. Blidge, Vivica
Mentioning some notable female celebrities who are at the party.
And Latifah, Oprah tonight
Mentioning some other celebrities who are present, including a notable media mogul and entrepreneur.
(All my homies with me)
Reasserting that all of his close friends are present as well.
T. Cruise and Big Willy, Usher and P. Diddy
Mentioning some notable male celebrities in attendance.
Denzel, Samuel tonight, tonight
Mentioning some other celebrities who are present, including some acclaimed actors.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DURRELL BABBS, JAMIE N FOXX, HERBIE N HANCOCK, MATEO N LABORIEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind