K-Ci and JoJo's first sign of independence came in 1994 when K-Ci covered Bobby Womack's hit "If You Think You're Lonely Now" for the movie Jason's Lyric. Early in 1996, K-Ci and Jo-Jo teamed up for the song "How Could You" for the movie Bulletproof starring Damon Wayans and Adam Sandler.
By July 1996, K-Ci and JoJo finally had a hit on their hands as guest artists in 2Pac's number-one R&B hit "How Do U Want It". It also topped the Billboard Hot 100. The brothers made their side projects into a full album, Love Always. Released on June 17, 1997, the album spawned two top-ten R&B hits: "You Bring Me Up" and "Last Night's Letter". "All My Life" was the number-one song on the Hot 100 for three weeks, a feat that K-Ci and Jo-Jo had never achieved with Jodeci.Love Always went on to sell four million copies, and the success of the album put Jodeci's reunion on hold indefinitely.
Their second album,It's Real,was released on June 22, 1999. It spawned one major hit "Tell Me It's Real" which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard's R&B charts. K-Ci and Jo-Jo returned with X on December 5, 2000. "X", the Roman numeral for ten, was picked as the album title to celebrate the Haileys' tenth anniversary in the music business. They made a strong return to the Billboard Hot 100 early in 2001 with the song "Crazy", also included on the Save the Last Dance soundtrack. "Crazy" peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
The fourth K-Ci and Jo-Jo album, Emotional, was released on November 26, 2002, but failed to find commercial success. K-Ci and JoJo released a greatest hits album on February 8, 2005. They are believed to have teamed back up with DeVante Swing and Mr. Dalvin for a Jodeci reunion album.
Show & Prove
K-Ci & JoJo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Peace to the Gods in belly of the beast
Never the least bit concerned with how the enemy gon eat
They feed off the illusion and fear I'm rare
Job well done I'm inedible
Devil gon f**k around and starve over here
Marvelous Saint Sharp gorging on shorties DMs be informative
Wrought iron fences and mandatory sentence reform
In the portfolio of the senate and council we put up in office
cuthor the legislation you promised
Or we'll be forced to turn our back on you
Spin away do an about face and take you up off of that
Chair and committee seat on the Congress
Ponder the consequence as we gather up armaments
For a wartime type alternative
What you enforcing? my elbow'll dent your esophagus
Push your jawbone out the socket
Your plug could watch as I connect and disconnect
Your cdam's apple from the ligaments with my forearm
cctual fact application not a hypothesis
Firearm proficiency be efficient work on your marksmanship
crtillery in arms reach regardless what John q Law gon tell us
Let's not embellish all of us ain't adapt into the unity model yet
To convert em you gotta be constant with it
Show and prove it behoove me to prove
That I'm up on all of it
No monster could make me believe for a minute
That God ain't walking with me
With the resolve of a FOI on a comer selling periodicals
Final call and ready to brawl for a lane on the path to prominence
cctivist lyricism bars so deep lets nautical
Lean on me? Negative
Picture that with a proof I'm extortion proof
cnd waterproof if none of that fit don't got a stitch
That make black designer a dollar like what the drip oughtta do
I'm a faucet with the issue all of them corporate apologies
In the form of sponsorship with no equity
We turning the water off
Don't doubt the drought we'll get right in with our own
If we get left out f**k a sit in let's buy in so we can own
In the zone we rely on us alone for the equity and loans
The lyrics to K-Ci & JoJo's song "Show & Prove" convey a sense of empowerment and resilience in the face of opposition. The opening lines pay homage to the strength and determination of those who are marginalized or oppressed, referred to as the "Gods in the belly of the beast." The lyrics suggest that these individuals are not concerned with how their enemies are surviving because they are focused on their own inner power and resilience.
The next lines speak to the idea of not being easily influenced or consumed by fear or illusion. The artists describe themselves as rare and inedible, implying that they cannot be manipulated or controlled by the negative forces around them. They also touch on the theme of information and knowledge, highlighting the importance of being well-informed in order to navigate through life's challenges.
The lyrics then shift to a critique of political systems and the need for change. They call out politicians for not delivering on their promises and threaten to turn their backs on them if they do not act accordingly. There is a sense of gathering strength and armaments for a metaphorical "war" against oppressive forces. The artists also emphasize the need for unity and constant effort in order to create positive change.
Overall, "Show & Prove" is a powerful and introspective song that encourages self-empowerment, resilience, and collective action in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
Peace to the Gods in belly of the beast
Acknowledging and respecting the powerful individuals within oppressive systems
Never the least bit concerned with how the enemy gon eat
Not worried about the well-being of those who seek to harm
They feed off the illusion and fear I'm rare
Those who oppose us rely on deception and intimidation, but I am unique and resilient
Job well done I'm inedible
I have accomplished my goals and cannot be affected or swayed
Devil gon f**k around and starve over here
Those who wish harm upon us will suffer the consequences
Marvelous Saint Sharp gorging on shorties DMs be informative
I, as a skilled and influential individual, gather valuable information through private messages
Subject matter so heavy the phone almost wasn't portable
The topics I discuss are so weighty that they almost exceed the capabilities of technology
Wrought iron fences and mandatory sentence reform
Metaphorically representing barriers and the need for reformation in the justice system
In the portfolio of the senate and council we put up in office
We, the people, have appointed representatives to create laws and policies
Author the legislation you promised
Follow through on your commitments and create meaningful laws
Or we'll be forced to turn our back on you
If you fail to fulfill your promises, we will withdraw our support
Spin away do an about face and take you up off of that
We will remove you from your position of power
Chair and committee seat on the Congress
Referring to influential roles within the governing body
Ponder the consequence as we gather up armaments
Consider the potential repercussions as we prepare and organize
For a wartime type alternative
Preparing for a situation that may require confrontation
What you enforcing? my elbow'll dent your esophagus
Questioning the validity and effectiveness of your enforcement methods
Push your jawbone out the socket
Exerting force and causing significant damage
Your plug could watch as I connect and disconnect
I have control over the connections and associations of others
Your cdam's apple from the ligaments with my forearm
Using strength to manipulate and disrupt the vocal cords
Actual fact application not a hypothesis
My actions are based on concrete evidence and not mere speculation
Firearm proficiency be efficient work on your marksmanship
Being skilled and effective with weapons, you should improve your own abilities
Artillery in arms reach regardless what John q Law gon tell us
Having weapons readily available, regardless of what the authorities say
Let's not embellish all of us ain't adapt into the unity model yet
Not everyone has fully embraced the concept of unity
To convert em you gotta be constant with it
To influence and change others, consistency is crucial
Show and prove it behoove me to prove
I must provide evidence and demonstrate my capabilities
That I'm up on all of it
I am knowledgeable and informed about various matters
No monster could make me believe for a minute
I cannot be swayed or manipulated by any intimidating force
That God ain't walking with me
I believe in divine guidance and protection
With the resolve of a FOI on a comer selling periodicals
Demonstrating determination and dedication, like a member of the Nation of Islam selling newspapers
Final call and ready to brawl for a lane on the path to prominence
Prepared to fight for recognition and success
Activist lyricism bars so deep lets nautical
My lyrics are profound and impactful, comparable to navigating the depths of the ocean
Lean on me? Negative
I refuse to rely on others or be a crutch
Picture that with a proof I'm extortion proof
Imagine a situation where I provide evidence that I cannot be manipulated or coerced
And waterproof if none of that fit don't got a stitch
Impermeable and unaffected by attempts to undermine me
That make black designer a dollar like what the drip oughtta do
Empowering black designers and creators to generate wealth
I'm a faucet with the issue all of them corporate apologies
I constantly address and challenge the insincere apologies of corporations
In the form of sponsorship with no equity
Their support lacks true investment and ownership
We turning the water off
We are shutting down their power and influence
Don't doubt the drought we'll get right in with our own
Do not underestimate our ability to overcome obstacles and succeed
If we get left out f**k a sit in let's buy in so we can own
If we are excluded, we will not simply protest, but actively participate to gain ownership and control
In the zone we rely on us alone for the equity and loans
We depend on ourselves for financial equality and opportunities
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Yolanda Young
All I got to say is when I play this song its on repeat! Nice one fellows!
Lady Tee
I'm like loving this song right here! You go boyz!
Jeweline Mitchell
Been a fan for 26yrs voice is a gift
Debra Blevins
GREAT job! K-Ci is amazing!! I don't care what anybody says....HE can STILL sang his ASS OFF!! good OLD school r&b MUSIC
Katrina Tillman
Love it! Love it! Love it!
miamiboy161
K-CI &JOJO WILL GROW ON YOU BECAUSE THEY HAVE GROWN ON ME THAT LEGENDARY STUFF.
Adam O'Reilly
Real talk from 1 of the best to put it down in the r&b game. Didn't think they had any heat left in them. Good to hear this
Shalana Millard
This is my favorite jam from the My Brother’s Keeper CD! Love it.
Diane Diball
He won't show it, He won't prove it like I will...I LOVE IT!
tamara Butler
My fave off the album. Now we need another JODECI record.