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
The lyrics to "Not Lookin'" by K-Ci speak of a person who is not interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with someone despite their repeated attempts at getting closer. The song's lyrics convey honesty and straightforwardness in a relationship, not wanting anyone to catch feelings as they want to maintain their independence. The singer makes it clear that they are not looking for anything serious and just wants to have some fun with no strings attached. They want to avoid any drama that may arise from a romantic relationship and prefer to keep things casual.
Furthermore, in the song, K-Ci is accompanied by Mary J. Blige, who adds her own take on love and relationships, which echoes K-Ci's sentiments in the song. Together, they make for a potent collaboration, with both artists' voices complementing each other expertly. The song's beat is smooth and soulful, with a distinctive beat and instrumental layering that matches the track's themes of independence and autonomy.
Overall, "Not Lookin'" is a song about honesty and staying true to oneself in relationships. It emphasizes the importance of being honest about one's intentions and not leading people on. It's a message that resonates with people of all ages, particularly those who have experienced tough romantic relationships and want to avoid any drama down the line.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah (ooh)
An expression of agreement and interest
I'm not looking (oh no, no)
I'm currently not seeking to date anyone
I'm not looking
I'm not interested in engaging with you romantically
No, no, no, no?no, no, no, no baby
I'm rejecting your advances towards me
(I'm not looking either)
I'm not interested in pursuing this any further
Yeah, yeah, yeah
A repetitive expression of acknowledgement
(Don't want to talk to you)
I don't want to engage in conversation with you
Sit down and let me talk to you
Please listen to what I have to say
(Oh save it, save it, save it)
Stop trying to woo me with your words
For a little while my sugar
Listen to me for a moment
(You've been talking for too long baby)
You've been trying to impress me for too long
Yeah (Go ahead, go ahead)
Proceed with what you were going to say
Whatcha gotta say
What do you have to tell me
Whatcha gonna say this time
What lies are you going to tell me now
How many lies are you gonna tell
I know you're not being genuine with me
Oh, don't be afraid (oh)
Don't hesitate to listen to me
About what your gonna hear right now baby oh
You should be concerned about what I have to say
Listen, listen
Pay attention to me
(What is it?)
What do you have to say
I'm not trying to fall in love with you
I'm not romantically interested in you
I'm just trying to hit you with my groove
I'm just trying to make a move on you
Yes I do, yes I do
I'm being honest with you
What I'm trying to say I'm not trying to be mean
I don't want to hurt your feelings, but I'm not interested
No, no, no, no, no, but baby can you respect my honesty
Please understand and respect that I'm being truthful with you
I'm trying to tell you I'm not looking
I'm making it clear that I'm not interested in pursuing a relationship
I'm not looking for no love affair
I'm not interested in having a romantic relationship
Won't nobody tell you that they seen me there
I haven't been seen at any romantic locations
So I don't need you tripping, trying to take me there
Don't try to convince me to go to any romantic places
Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary, Mary
Expression of disinterest in the person's advances
You think you got what it takes to please me
You're trying to impress me, but I'm not convinced
I'm not impressed by your honesty, oh no, no
Being honest with me isn't enough to win me over
I don't need you to tell me how I like good, good, good
Stop trying so hard to impress me
Cause I've been here and back around my hood (ooh)
I'm not easily fooled by empty flattery
And I'm trying to tell you something
I'm trying to make it clear that I'm not interested
I'm not looking for no player shit
I'm not interested in engaging in a casual sexual relationship
Not when everybody is trying to get with
I don't want to be just another conquest
You see I don't need you here just to get a hit
I don't want you to use me for sex
Where were you when everything was going down
You weren't there for me when I needed you
I left my man and didn't have no one around
I was alone during a difficult time in my life
See I don't need it, I don't want it
I don't need your insincere attention
You're another nigga for it
You're just like all the other guys who aren't genuine
You think that you can get it
You believe that you can win me over
Know right now I'm not gonna let it
I won't let you deceive me
Oh please stop fronting on that player shit (oh)
Stop pretending to be something you're not
I heard around the town that you were still down with it
I heard rumors that you're not being sincere with me
(Oh nigga please)
I'm not buying into your act
If you think I don't know, sugar let me tell you so
I'm aware that you're trying to deceive me
(Oh really oh)
An expression of disinterest in further conversation
Let me in, let's begin, but I want to be friends
If we're going to continue this, let's start as just friends
(Stop playing with me)
Stop trying to deceive or impress me
Oh not when everybody's trying to get with me
I don't want to be just another person you're trying to be with
(I'm not even trying baby)
I'm not interested in pursuing anything with you
All day and all night you fool, I don't need it
I don't need your constant attention
I swear tired of playing games
I'm tired of the insincere attention and games
(My mind, mind, mind is all confused)
I'm feeling overwhelmed and confused by the situation
I don't want to be down, go ahead, go ahead (go ahead, oh)
I don't want to be involved with you, so leave me alone
Tired of chasing your egomaniac, egotistical, chest sticking out (oh baby)
I'm tired of your arrogant and self-centered behavior
Think your God's gift to the world, oh
You're overly confident in yourself
(That's not me, that's not me, that's not me)
I'm not interested in someone like you
Hate to do it to you like this
I don't want to hurt you, but I have to be honest
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
An expression of readiness to move on
But I got to do it cause it's only right
I have to be honest and true to myself
To let you know I'm not looking for no arrogant, egotistical player shit
I'm not interested in anyone who is insincere or full of themselves
(I hear you)
I understand what you're saying
Do you really hear me, then hear this
If you truly understand my feelings, listen to me
(Ooh oh)
An expression of disappointment
I'm sick and tired of chasing you
I'm done with trying to pursue a relationship with you
(I understand you baby)
I understand how you feel
Sick and tired of holding you
I'm tired of trying to make this work
(I said I hear you)
I understand what you're saying
All my ladies stand up and clap
A call for women to support each other
(I understand you)
I empathize with you
If you feel me, if you feel me
If you can relate to my situation
Come with something better than that
Stop trying to deceive me with empty promises
I know your sorry
I know you're trying to apologize, but it's too late
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MARY J BLIGE, JEAN EVALYN NORRIS, TIMOTHY RILEY, RAPHAEL SAADIQ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind