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)
Thug by Heart
K-Ci Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was a freshman I had a Glock
Inside of Georgia hall
You ain’t gone cherish what you
Got until you lose it all
And I was broke didn’t have a
Dime and I didn’t know who to call
Big bruh said no matter the
With support or without support
I still got to prove em wrong
You my dawg
You don’t owe me no favors
I did it off the muscle
I don’t know the status in they
Hood but I was raised on structure
We ain’t got to brag about what we
Did that shit ain’t for the public
I gave you loyalty
You tuned yo back on me how you
Trying to dub me
I put my dogs on that boy ass now we
On demon time
They said you gone take that nigga
Soul
What you want me to give him mine
I told mon put me in the grave if I
Start switching sides
30 round green beam catch him
Lacking do em dirty
Gun powder blood stains use Clorox
Don’t use detergent
Outfit change throw away that pistol
Clothes got to burn em
Bad bitch she like Louie V she so
Use to purses
(Yea yea)
(Wo wo wo wo wo wo)
(Yea yea yea yea yea yea yea)
(Wo wo wo wo wo wo)
(Oh yea yea)
I done played a lot roles but I can’t
Play the victim
They say I’m stubborn I don’t call
But I still know I miss you
I cut them off they hit my line only
When it’s beneficial
They know the only way is up if
I’m gone stretch a issue
(Yea yea )
(Wo wo wo wo wo wo)
(Yea yea yea yea yea yea yea)
(Wo wo wo wo wo wo)
(Oh yea yea)
In the song "Thug by Heart" by K-Ci, the lyrics express themes of loyalty, self-reliance, and the consequences of betrayal. The first verse begins with the singer reminiscing about his younger days, specifically when he possessed a Glock while staying at Georgia Hall. The lyrics suggest that the singer didn't fully appreciate what he had until he lost it all. Being broke and without support, he didn't know who to turn to, but his "big bruh" advised him that no matter the situation, he shouldn't abandon the principles of following the law. The lyrics convey a determination to prove others wrong and the loyalty the singer feels towards his friends.
The chorus emphasizes the singer's self-made nature and rejection of dependence on others for assistance. He declares that his accomplishments are not due to any owed favors but rather through hard work and self-motivation. The lyrics also imply that the singer grew up in a structured environment where boasting about achievements was frowned upon. Instead, the focus was on loyalty and staying true to oneself.
In the second verse, the lyrics address a betrayal experienced by the singer. Someone close to him turned their back on him, despite the loyalty he had shown. The singer responds by rallying his friends to confront the person who betrayed him. The lyrics indicate a willingness to resort to violent actions, expressing the idea of being on "demon time" and a warning that the person who betrayed him might also face consequences for their actions. The line about putting his "dogs on that boy ass" suggests that he has a group of loyal friends who are willing to support him in seeking revenge.
The final chorus conveys a sense of resilience and self-awareness. The singer acknowledges that he has played different roles in his life, but he refuses to play the victim. Despite being seen as stubborn, he admits that he still misses the person who betrayed him. However, the lyrics indicate that he has cut off those who only reach out to him when it's advantageous for them. The singer understands that his path is upward, and he is willing to confront any challenges head-on.
Overall, "Thug by Heart" portrays a story of resilience and loyalty in the face of betrayal. The lyrics convey a sense of self-reliance and determination to prove oneself, while also acknowledging the complexities of relationships and the need to cut off those who are not truly loyal.
Line by Line Meaning
(Aye)
Hey, listen up
I was a freshman I had a Glock
Back when I was in my first year of college, I had a gun
Inside of Georgia hall
I kept it hidden inside my dormitory named Georgia hall
You ain’t gone cherish what you
You won't appreciate what you have
Got until you lose it all
Until you lose everything
And I was broke didn’t have a
I was financially struggling, didn't have any
Dime and I didn’t know who to call
Money and didn't know who to reach out to for help
Big bruh said no matter the
An older brother figure advised me that regardless of
Situation you can’t abandon law
The circumstances, I shouldn't break the law or moral code
With support or without support
Whether I have assistance or not
I still got to prove em wrong
I still need to prove others who doubt me wrong
You my dawg
You're my good friend
You don’t owe me no favors
You don't need to do me any favors
I did it off the muscle
I accomplished it through my own effort
I don’t know the status in they
I don't know how things are in their
Hood but I was raised on structure
neighborhood, but I was raised with discipline
We ain’t got to brag about what we
We don't need to boast about what we
Did that shit ain’t for the public
Did; that's not intended for everyone to know
I gave you loyalty
I showed you my loyalty
You tuned yo back on me how you
You turned your back on me, how can you
Trying to dub me
Try to deceive or betray me
I put my dogs on that boy ass now we
I got my friends to confront that guy, now we
On demon time
Engaged in aggressive, revengeful behavior
They said you gone take that nigga
They said you're going to take that guy's
Soul
Life or essence
What you want me to give him mine
Do you want me to sacrifice my own
I told mon put me in the grave if I
I even told my significant other to bury me if I
Start switching sides
Begin betraying my own team
30 round green beam catch him
A 30-round magazine with a green laser sight finds him
Lacking do em dirty
When he's vulnerable, attack him aggressively
Gun powder blood stains use Clorox
Remove gunpowder and blood stains with Clorox bleach
Don’t use detergent
Avoid using regular detergent instead
Outfit change throw away that pistol
Change my appearance and get rid of the gun
Clothes got to burn em
I need to burn my clothes
Bad bitch she like Louie V she so
An attractive woman who prefers Louis Vuitton, she's so
Use to purses
Accustomed to expensive handbags
(Yea yea)
(Yeah yeah)
(Wo wo wo wo wo wo)
(Expressing excitement or enthusiasm)
(Yea yea yea yea yea yea yea)
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah)
(Wo wo wo wo wo wo)
(Expressing excitement or enthusiasm)
(Oh yea yea)
(Oh yeah yeah)
I done played a lot roles but I can’t
I've taken on many different personas, but I can't
Play the victim
Act like the one who's been wronged
They say I’m stubborn I don’t call
Some say I'm stubborn because I don't reach out
But I still know I miss you
However, I still acknowledge that I miss you
I cut them off they hit my line only
I distanced myself from them, they only contact me
When it’s beneficial
When they have something to gain from it
They know the only way is up if
They understand that the only direction to go is up if
I’m gone stretch a issue
I'm willing to escalate a problem
(Yea yea )
(Yeah yeah)
(Wo wo wo wo wo wo)
(Expressing excitement or enthusiasm)
(Yea yea yea yea yea yea yea)
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah)
(Wo wo wo wo wo wo)
(Expressing excitement or enthusiasm)
(Oh yea yea)
(Oh yeah yeah)
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Quindarius Shy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind