If Boyz II Men are portrayed as a clean-cut, wholesome R&B vocal group, then Jodeci's wild, sexual, bad-boy image represents the other side of the coin. Made up of two sets of brothers, the group's name is a consolidation of three members' aliases: "JoJo" Hailey, Donald "DeVante Swing" DeGrate, and Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey; the group also includes Dalvin DeGrate. Natives of Charlotte, NC, all four members toured the South as young boys singing gospel music, even recording albums; both families belonged to the Pentecostal church, and the DeGrates' father was a minister. The boys were able to hear each other's gospel songs played on the radio, and eventually were introduced through girlfriends as teenagers. However, when they did meet, K-Ci was with a girl Dalvin had been dating, and a fight nearly broke out. The Hailey brothers and DeVante started hanging out together, partying and talking about making R&B records together, coming up with the name Jodeci at this time.
At age 16, DeVante ran away to Minneapolis to get a job in Prince's organization, but was refused. He returned to Charlotte, where he wrote a song and recorded JoJo singing it. The two planned on going to New York to shop the demo around by themselves, but both K-Ci and Dalvin decided to tag along at the last minute. By the time they got to New York, they had demo recordings of 29 songs, which they brought to the offices of Uptown Entertainment. They were almost rejected, but rapper Heavy D overheard the tape and talked Uptown president Andre Harrell into hearing the group. Harrell was impressed, and just like that, Jodeci signed a recording contract. In 1991, they recorded Forever My Lady, which featured the gold single "Come and Talk to Me" and went on to sell over three million copies. A minor feud resulted over the band's follow-up album, Diary of a Mad Band; Jodeci, unhappy with their treatment by Uptown, flirted with the idea of leaving for Dr. Dre's Death Row Records, which resulted in almost zero promotion for their new album. It didn't matter much, as Diary went platinum. The group's troubles got worse in 1993; DeVante and K-Ci were involved in an incident with a woman K-Ci met at a club and brought back to DeVante's apartment. The woman filed charges against the two, saying that K-Ci had threatened her and fondled her breast, while DeVante pointed a gun at her. Both pleaded guilty, but that wasn't all; shortly afterwards, DeVante's house was robbed of over 160,000 dollars in jewelry and clothes as the singer was held with guns in his mouth and at the back of his head.
Jodeci's third album, The Show, the After Party, the Hotel, was released in the summer of 1995. DeVante also was afforded the opportunity to work with Al Green, one of his idols, writing and producing the song "Could This Be the Love." ~ Steve Huey, Rovi
Jodeci Albums:
* 1991: Forever My Lady #18 US (3x platinum)
* 1993: Diary of a Mad Band #3 US (2x platinum)
* 1995: The Show, The After Party, The Hotel #2 US (platinum)
* 2005: Back to The Future: The Very Best of Jodeci (300,000)
Jodeci Singles:
* 1991: "Gotta Love"
* 1991: "Stay" (US #41, R&B #1)
* 1991: "Forever My Lady" (US #25, R&B #1)
* 1991: "Come and Talk to Me" (US #11, R&B #1)
* 1993: "Cry For You" (US #15, R&B #1)
* 1993: "Feenin'" (US #25, R&B #2)
* 1993: "Lately" (US #4, R&B #1)
* 1993: "Let's Go Through the Motions" (US #65)
* 1994: "What About Us" (R&B #14)
* 1995: "Freek'n You" (US #14, R&B #3)
* 1995: "Love U 4 Life"
* 1996: "Get on Up" (US #22, R&B #4)
Jodeci Side-Projects:
(K-Ci & JoJo)
* 1997: Love Always
* 1999: It's Real
* 2000: X
* 2002: Emotional
* 2005: All My Life "Their Greatest Hits"
(Dalvin Degrate)
* 2000: Met.A.Mor.Phic
(K-Ci Solo)
* 2006: My Book
Get On Up
Jodeci Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you gotta get on up now
say it again, Jodeci
get on up
you gotta get on up now
wait a minute, let me tell you
everybody grab somebody
turn this mutha into a party
ladies go and choose your man
there's no need to be afraid
Friday night, let's all get payed
positive is the attitude
negative is not the mood
get on up
you gotta get on up
get on up now
let us say it again
you gotta get on up now
and you can't sit down
now that everybody's movin
everybody in here is groovin
everything is alright
the atmosphere is so nice
the DJ is doin his duty
all the ladies shakin their bootys
and the night is still young
and the party's just begun
get on up
and you can't sit down
gotta get on up now
and you can't sit down
get on up
and you can't sit down
gotta get on up now
party
all day
never stop
never stop
and you can't sit down
get on up
and you can't sit down
gotta get on up now
and you can't sit down
get on up
everybody just get on up
you gotta get on up now
get on up
The lyrics to Jodeci's "Get On Up" encourage listeners to get up on the dance floor and let loose. The song is a call to action, with the repeated phrase "you gotta get on up now" urging everyone to start dancing. The opening line, "said it sounds so good to me," sets the tone for the song - Jodeci wants people to enjoy themselves and feel the groove.
The song also has some specific instructions for the partygoers. The line "everybody grab somebody" suggests that people find a partner to dance with, while "fellas take your lady's hand" and "ladies go and choose your man" indicate that Jodeci wants everyone to feel comfortable and have fun. The idea behind the song is that everyone should come together on the dance floor, forget their worries, and just enjoy the moment.
Overall, "Get On Up" is a fun, upbeat song that encourages people to let go and have a good time. The lyrics encourage positivity and camaraderie, and the upbeat music is sure to get people up and dancing.
Line by Line Meaning
said it sounds so good to me
Jodeci is expressing their enthusiasm for the music and encouraging others to feel good as well.
you gotta get on up now
Jodeci is urging the listeners to start dancing and enjoying themselves.
say it again, Jodeci
Jodeci wants to reinforce their message of getting up and dancing.
wait a minute, let me tell you
Jodeci is interrupting the music to give instructions on how to turn the situation into a party.
everybody grab somebody
Jodeci is instructing everyone to find a partner to dance with.
turn this mutha into a party
Jodeci wants everyone to amp up the energy and spontaneity in the room to create a fun event.
fellas take your lady's hand
Jodeci is suggesting for the men in the room to invite their significant others to dance.
ladies go and choose your man
Jodeci is suggesting for the women in the room to choose a partner to dance with.
there's no need to be afraid
Jodeci is reassuring anyone who is hesitant to dance that it is a safe and fun environment.
Friday night, let's all get payed
Jodeci is encouraging everyone to let loose and have a good time on a Friday night after a long week of work.
positive is the attitude
Jodeci is emphasizing the importance of having a positive mindset at the party to better enjoy themselves.
negative is not the mood
Jodeci is pointing out that bringing negative emotions to the party will only drag it down and is not encouraged.
now that everybody's movin
Jodeci is observing the results of their instructions and seeing that everyone is now dancing and involved.
everybody in here is groovin
Jodeci is acknowledging that everyone in the party is now having a good time and dancing to the beat.
everything is alright
Jodeci is noticing that everyone is at ease and comfortable, enjoying themselves and the atmosphere of the party.
the atmosphere is so nice
Jodeci is complimenting the energy and vibe in the room, which is leading to a fun party atmosphere.
the DJ is doin his duty
Jodeci is recognizing the hard work of the DJ in keeping the party going with good music and transitions.
all the ladies shakin their bootys
Jodeci is noticing that the women in the room are now confidently dancing and enjoying themselves.
and the night is still young
Jodeci is acknowledging that the party is far from over and there is still a lot of time to have fun.
and the party's just begun
Jodeci is reminding everyone that this is just the beginning of the party and there is still a lot more to come.
party
Jodeci is reminding everyone that this is a party and they should continue to have a good time.
all day
Jodeci is suggesting that the party can go on all day if everyone continues to have fun and dance.
never stop
Jodeci is encouraging everyone to keep dancing and never let the energy of the party dip down.
everybody just get on up
Jodeci is again urging everyone to get up and dance, to continue to enjoy the party atmosphere.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DALVIN DEGRATE, IVAN GUIMARAES LINS, IVAN GUIMARES LINS, JOEL M HAILEY, RICHARD HAILEY, RICHARD CEDRIC HAILEY, VICTOR MARTINS, VITOR MARTINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
OGPicazzothegr8
This song gave me hope on June 6, 1996 in the caravan carrying inmates shackled from head 2 toe on my way 2 prison. I knew there would be light at the end of the tunnel!!! Got out in “99” and haven’t been to back 2 prison it’s 2023 and I’m still breathing 🙌🏽🤲🏽 em. The Most High!!!
DaMet Walker
God bless you man!! May the lord always be with you🙏
Angela Andrews
May God's grace and mercy continue toward you.🙏🏾
Kay Robbie
Thats wonderful that you had God with you to keep you going. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all the hatred, crimes all around the world would all go away just by listening to a positive song like this.
Stephanie Randall
All Praises To The Most High beautiful testimony ✨
Bleu
Yessss Yessss!!!!
Samba Nelly
Jodeci has to be inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame this year. Or next year. 💯
Joseph D
"OH shit...like the bag?"...still smoothest brothers in r&b
Lisalisa T
Love this song 🎵 ❤
Lee Berks
I need a 30 minute extended version of this song! Just what the soul needs in 2021.