The main lead singer for Jodeci and the second lead singer for K-Ci and JoJo, much of K-Ci's performance and singing style, defined by an emotive, gospel-flavored rasp, is inspired by soul star Bobby Womack. K-Ci covered Womack's 1981 hit single "If You Think You're Lonely Now" as a single for the Jason's Lyric soundtrack in 1994.
As Womack inspired him, K-Ci inspired another R&B star, Mark "Sisqó" Andrews of the late-1990s R&B group Dru Hill. However, Sisqó and Dru Hill were initially blamed, including by K-Ci himself, of not just using his style as an inspiration, but of outright copying it to fuel their own success.
Between 1992 and 1997, K-Ci had a much-publicized romantic relationship with R&B singer and Uptown Records labelmate Mary J. Blige. Both artists perform on "I Don't Want To Do Anything" from Blige's What's the 411? album, and Blige often toured with Jodeci. Blige and K-Ci split up in 1997; Blige has gone on record a number of times stating that the split was because of alleged domestic violence and drug use.
In 1993, K-Ci and fellow Jodeci member DeVante Swing were involved in an incident with a woman K-Ci met in a club. They later went back to Devante's house. The woman filed charges against the two saying K-Ci fondled her breasts while Devante pointed a gun at her.
In 1999, K-Ci provided vocals for the Will Smith single "Will 2K".
In 2001, K-Ci got into more trouble with the law as he was charged with indecent exposure after he fondled his erect and exposed penis at a show in Los Angeles. He pleaded no contest, paid a fine, and was put on probation.
He now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina with his mother and brother JoJo in a mansion which was shown on MTV Cribs in 2000.
Discography:
(w/ JODECI)
* 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 #6 US [Gold]
(K-Ci & JoJo)
* 1997: Love Always
* 1999: It's Real
* 2000: X
* 2002: Emotional
* 2005: All My Life "Their Greatest Hits"
(K-Ci Solo)
* 2006: My Book
Filmography:
- Shake, Rattle and Roll: An American Love Story (1999) (TV) .... Nate
- Soul Food (1997) .... Band Member #5
- Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996) (as Jodeci)
Not Lookin
K-Ci Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not looking (oh no, no)
I'm not looking
No, no, no, no?no, no, no, no baby
(I'm not looking either)
Yeah, yeah, yeah
(Don't want to talk to you)
Sit down and let me talk to you
For a little while my sugar
(You've been talking for too long baby)
Yeah (Go ahead, go ahead)
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Whatcha gotta say
Whatcha gonna say this time
How many lies are you gonna tell
Oh, don't be afraid (oh)
About what your gonna hear right now baby oh
Listen, listen
(What is it?)
I'm not trying to fall in love with you
I'm just trying to hit you with my groove
Yes I do, yes I do
What I'm trying to say I'm not trying to be mean
No, no, no, no, no, but baby can you respect my honesty
I'm trying to tell you I'm not looking
I'm not looking for no love affair
Won't nobody tell you that they seen me there
So I don't need you tripping, trying to take me there
I'm not looking for no love affair
I'm not looking for no love affair
Won't nobody tell you that they seen me there
So I don't need you tripping, trying to take me there
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary
You think you got what it takes to please me
I'm not impressed by your honesty, oh no, no
I don't need you to tell me how I like good, good, good
I don't need it, no
(I know you don't)
Cause I've been here and back around my hood (ooh)
And I'm trying to tell you something
I'm not looking for no player shit
Not when everybody is trying to get with
You see I don't need you here just to get a hit
I'm not looking for no player shit
I'm not looking for no player shit
Not when everybody is trying to get with
You see I don't need you here just to get a hit
I'm not looking for no player shit
Where were you when everything was going down
I left my man and didn't have no one around
See I don't need it, I don't want it
You're another nigga for it
You think that you can get it
Know right now I'm not gonna let it
Oh please stop fronting on that player shit (oh)
I heard around the town that you were still down with it
(Oh nigga please)
If you think I don't know, sugar let me tell you so
(Oh really oh)
Let me in, let's begin, but I want to be friends
(Stop playing with me)
I'm not looking for no player shit (yeah)
Oh not when everybody's trying to get with me
(I'm not even trying baby)
All day and all night you fool, I don't need it
Don't need it
(yeah, yeah, yeah)
I swear tired of playing games
(My mind, mind, mind is all confused)
I don't want to be down, go ahead, go ahead (go ahead, oh)
I don't want to be down, I'm tired of playing games
Tired of chasing your egomaniac, egotistical, chest sticking out (oh baby)
Think your God's gift to the world, oh
(That's not me, that's not me, that's not me)
Hate to do it to you like this
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
But I got to do it cause it's only right
To let you know I'm not looking for no arrogant, egotistical player shit
(I hear you)
Do you really hear me, then hear this
(Ooh oh)
I'm sick and tired of chasing you
(I understand you baby)
Sick and tired of holding you
(I said I hear you)
Go ahead, go ahead
All my ladies stand up and clap
(I understand you)
If you feel me, if you feel me
(I'm so sorry baby)
Come with something better than that
I know your sorry
In K-Ci Hailey’s song Not Lookin', the singer is addressing someone with whom they have had a difficult relationship. The song opens with the singer saying that they are not looking for anything, and that they don't want to talk to the person they are addressing. They tell the person to sit down and start talking, but then interrupt themselves and tell the person to save it for a little while. The singer is not interested in what the person has to say, as they believe that anything the person tells them will be a lie.
The chorus repeats that the singer is not looking for a love affair and that they do not want to be with the person they are addressing. The singer repeats that they are not interested in anything that the person has to offer, as they are not trying to fall in love with them. The singer does not want to be mean, but they ask the person to respect their honesty. The second verse continues with the singer saying that they are not interested in any player sh*t. They do not want to be with someone who is trying to get with everybody, and they do not need the person to get a hit. The singer remembers a time when they did not have anyone around, but they did not need the person at the time and they do not need them now.
Overall, the song is about a frustration that the singer is feeling because the person they are addressing is not honest with them. They are not looking for anything, and they do not want the person to try to convince them otherwise. The singer is upset by the other person's player behavior, and they are done with chasing them. The song is a declaration of independence and a warning to anyone who might try to get with the singer.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah (ooh)
Expressing excitement.
I'm not looking (oh no, no)
I am not searching for anything.
I'm not looking
I am not seeking for anything.
No, no, no, no?no, no, no, no baby
I am not interested.
(I'm not looking either)
I am also not interested.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Expressing agreement.
(Don't want to talk to you)
I do not wish to converse with you.
Sit down and let me talk to you
Please take a seat and listen to me.
(Oh save it, save it, save it)
Please stop talking.
For a little while my sugar
Please listen for some time.
(You've been talking for too long baby)
You have been rambling for too long.
Yeah (Go ahead, go ahead)
Please proceed.
Whatcha gotta say
What is it that you need to express?
Whatcha gonna say this time
What is your new statement?
How many lies are you gonna tell
How many untruths are you going to say?
Oh, don't be afraid (oh)
Do not be scared.
About what your gonna hear right now baby oh
Do not worry about what you will hear.
Listen, listen
Please pay attention.
(What is it?)
What do you want to say?
I'm not trying to fall in love with you
I am not trying to develop romantic feelings towards you.
I'm just trying to hit you with my groove
I am just trying to impress you with my style.
Yes I do, yes I do
I certainly do.
What I'm trying to say I'm not trying to be mean
I am not attempting to be hostile.
No, no, no, no, no, but baby can you respect my honesty
I request you to honor my frankness.
I'm trying to tell you I'm not looking
I am telling you that I am not pursuing anything.
I'm not looking for no love affair
I am not interested in a romantic relationship.
Won't nobody tell you that they seen me there
Nobody has seen me at such a place.
So I don't need you tripping, trying to take me there
Therefore I do not need you to insist on taking me there.
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary
Expressing surprise.
You think you got what it takes to please me
You believe that you hold the capacity to satisfy me.
I'm not impressed by your honesty, oh no, no
Honesty does not impress me.
I don't need you to tell me how I like good, good, good
I know what I like.
I don't need it, no
I do not require it.
(I know you don't)
I am aware that you don't.
Cause I've been here and back around my hood (ooh)
I have been here many times.
And I'm trying to tell you something
I am attempting to convey something.
I'm not looking for no player shit
I am not interested in relationships with players.
Not when everybody is trying to get with
At a time when everyone wants to have me.
You see I don't need you here just to get a hit
Therefore I do not need you around for mere pleasure.
I'm not looking for no player shit
I am not interested in relationships with players.
Not when everybody is trying to get with
At a time when everyone wants to have me.
You see I don't need you here just to get a hit
Therefore I do not need you around for mere pleasure.
Where were you when everything was going down
Where were you when I needed someone during difficult times?
I left my man and didn't have no one around
When I parted ways with my partner, nobody supported me.
See I don't need it, I don't want it
I do not need it, I do not want it.
You're another nigga for it
You are another person who wants it.
You think that you can get it
You believe that you can have it.
Know right now I'm not gonna let it
Let me clarify that you can't have it now.
Oh please stop fronting on that player shit (oh)
Please stop pretending to be someone else.
I heard around the town that you were still down with it
I heard rumors that suggest you are still a player.
(Oh nigga please)
Please stop.
If you think I don't know, sugar let me tell you so
If you think otherwise, let me clarify.
(Oh really oh)
Is that so?
Let me in, let's begin, but I want to be friends
Let us form a friendship slowly.
(Stop playing with me)
Please stop teasing me.
I'm not looking for no player shit (yeah)
I am not interested in relationships with players.
Oh not when everybody's trying to get with me
I am not interested at this time when everyone wants to date me.
(I'm not even trying baby)
I am not even trying to date.
All day and all night you fool, I don't need it
I do not need it anymore.
Don't need it
I do not need it.
(yeah, yeah, yeah)
I agree.
I swear tired of playing games
I am tired of playing these games.
(My mind, mind, mind is all confused)
I am feeling disoriented.
I don't want to be down, go ahead, go ahead (go ahead, oh)
Please proceed but I do not want to participate.
I don't want to be down, I'm tired of playing games
I do not want to get involved, I am sick of these games.
Tired of chasing your egomaniac, egotistical, chest sticking out (oh baby)
Tired of pursuing a selfish and self-absorbed individual.
Think your God's gift to the world, oh
Believing that you are exceptionally talented.
(That's not me, that's not me, that's not me)
I am not interested in that type of person.
Hate to do it to you like this
I am sorry to do this to you.
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
I agree.
But I got to do it cause it's only right
I must do what is ethical.
To let you know I'm not looking for no arrogant, egotistical player shit
I need to let you know I am not interested in arrogant, egotistical people who play games.
(I hear you)
I understand you.
Do you really hear me, then hear this
If you truly understand me, listen to this.
(Ooh oh)
Expressing surprise.
I'm sick and tired of chasing you
I am tired of pursuing you.
(I understand you baby)
I comprehend your feelings.
Sick and tired of holding you
Sick of carrying this burden.
(I said I hear you)
I said, I understand you.
Go ahead, go ahead
Please proceed.
All my ladies stand up and clap
Please praise me, ladies.
(I understand you)
I comprehend your feelings.
If you feel me, if you feel me
If you agree with me.
(I'm so sorry baby)
I apologize.
Come with something better than that
Present something more appealing.
I know your sorry
I am aware of your regret.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MARY J BLIGE, JEAN EVALYN NORRIS, TIMOTHY RILEY, RAPHAEL SAADIQ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind