The band's first taste of mainstream success came with the release of their fourth album Wild and Peaceful (1973), which contained the US top-ten singles "Jungle Boogie" and "Hollywood Swinging". Kool & the Gang subsequently entered a period of decline before they reached a second commercial peak between 1979 and 1986 following their partnership with Brazilian musician and producer Eumir Deodato and the addition of singer James "J.T." Taylor to the lineup. Their most successful albums of this period include Ladies' Night (1979), Celebrate! (1980), and Emergency (1984), their highest selling album with two million copies sold in the US. Their hit singles during this period included "Ladies' Night", the US No. 1 "Celebration", "Get Down on It", "Joanna", "Misled", and "Cherish". The band continues to perform worldwide, including as support for Van Halen in 2012 and their fiftieth-anniversary tour in 2014.
Kool & the Gang have won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and, in 2006, a Music Business Association Chairman's Award for artistic achievement. As well the band has been inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame and been bestowed with a MOBO Award for Outstanding Achievement, the Soul Train Legend Award, the Marian Anderson Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2007, the band was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. During 2018, the Bells, Brown, and Taylor were also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and received their first-time nomination into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. Their discography includes 23 studio albums and almost 70 singles. They have sold 7.5 million and 4.5 million RIAA-certified albums and singles, respectively, in the United States. Worldwide, they have sold 70 million albums.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kool_&_the_Gang
Discography
Kool and the Gang (1969)
Music Is the Message (1972)
Good Times (1972)
Wild and Peaceful (1973)
Light of Worlds (1974)
Spirit of the Boogie (1975)
Love & Understanding (1976)
Open Sesame (1976)
The Force (1977)
Everybody's Dancin' (1978)
Ladies' Night (1979)
Celebrate! (1980)
Something Special (1981)
As One (1982)
In the Heart (1983)
Emergency (1984)
Forever (1986)
Sweat (1989)
Unite (1992)
State of Affairs (1996)
Gangland (2001)
The Hits: Reloaded (2004)
Still Kool (2007)
Kool for the Holidays (2013)
Perfect Union (2021)
People Just Wanna Have Fun (2023)
Kool It
Kool & the Gang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Had to get it find another way
Ni the pussy nigga hating on me
Uma get it either-other way
Catch the wave stay off my trail homie
Loud pack keep ah smell on me
38 keep the shells on me
Crab legs with the cocktail
Fuck boy know all well
If that's drip this detailed
360 complete meals
I been ah dog you can't sleep here
Never bommie, That's free gear
Every time I see you it's like leap year
Benz seats wit the cushion
Expensive gang, Got’chu niggas looking
They go hate when you ride
They gonna hate when you up
Don't need no clique full of niggas
I don't give a fuck
Cuz uma ride bout whatever
If it's really bout me
Keep dhat glock up on me
Uma keep that shit G
Cuz uma ride bout whatever
Aye, Aye, Aye, Aye
If it's really bout me
(Really bout me)
Aye
Keep that glock up on me
Its on me
Uma slide bout me
(Aye, Aye)
(Slide bout me)
Slid with ah tool or ah rocket
To keep the fuck niggas up off you
Money on my mind lil nigga
I only hang with bosses
Fuck nigga don't play with me, cuz I'll be the one to cross yah
Come through the alley, yeah my niggas dumping off on
All you opp niggas who think that y’all go play
I can't let’chu in the gates, ain really got no space
I'm just feeding off my plate
You know this shit here been homemade
Uma ride for myself
I know that um the one to spray
Any given time I really be on that ratchet shit
Ooh, ooh, ooh...
Say ah prayer I'll really be the one to face you niggas
Ooh, ooh, ooh...
They go hate when you ride
They gonna hate when you up
Don't need no clique full of niggas
I don't give a fuck
Cuz uma ride bout whatever
If it's really bout me
Keep that glock up on me
Uma keep dhat shit G
Cuz uma ride bout whatever
(If it's really bout me)
Keep that glock up on me
(I keep it on me)
Uma slid bout me
(Aye, Aye, Aye, Aye, Aye, Aye)
(Aye, Aye, Aye, Aye)
Oohhh... (Aye, Aye, Aye, Aye, Yeah, Aye, Yeah)
I really be on dhatt ratchet shit
Oohh... Yeah...
(I keep it on me)
The lyrics to "Kool It" by Kool & The Gang's are somewhat mysterious and difficult to interpret. However, there are several themes within the song that are particularly clear. The song seems to be about the importance of self-reliance and the ability to stand on one's own two feet. The lyrics convey a sense of strength and determination in the face of adversity. There is also a sense of streetwise toughness in the song, as the lyrics talk about staying off of other people's trails and keeping a glock on hand.
The song's chorus is particularly powerful and seems to be a direct message to anyone who might stand in the way of the singer's success. "They go hate when you ride," the chorus states. "They gonna hate when you up." This is a warning to anyone who might envy or resent the singer's progress. However, the song also conveys a sense of confidence and self-assurance that suggests the singer is more than capable of handling any challenges that come his way.
Overall, "Kool It" is a song that celebrates strength, independence, and determination in the face of adversity. The lyrics convey a sense of streetwise toughness and a no-nonsense attitude towards those who might stand in the way of the singer's success. It's a powerful and empowering message that's sure to resonate with anyone who's faced their fair share of challenges in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Stack yo money in stay out’cho feelings
Focus on accumulating wealth and avoid getting emotionally attached to anything.
Had to get it find another way
I had to find a different approach to succeed.
Ni the pussy nigga hating on me
There are people who resent my success because they themselves lack courage.
Uma get it either-other way
I am determined to succeed regardless of the obstacles.
Catch the wave stay off my trail homie
Follow my lead from a distance but don't get too close.
Loud pack keep ah smell on me
I carry a strong scent due to my possession of high-quality marijuana.
38 keep the shells on me
I always carry a .38 caliber gun loaded with shells.
Bad bitch to post bail for me
I have a beautiful and wealthy woman who can post bail for me if needed.
Crab legs with the cocktail
I enjoy eating crab legs with a refreshing cocktail drink.
Fuck boy know all well
Those who attempt to undermine me are aware of the consequences.
If that's drip this detailed
If my outfits are this embellished and flashy.
360 complete meals
I always eat nutritious and satisfying meals.
I been ah dog you can't sleep here
I have a bad reputation and you cannot trust me.
Never bommie, That's free gear
I never compromise my integrity for personal gain.
Every time I see you it's like leap year
I rarely come across you, it feels like an event.
Benz seats wit the cushion
My car has comfortable seats because I can afford luxury.
Expensive gang, Got’chu niggas looking
I am part of an exclusive group that attracts attention.
They go hate when you ride
People will always resent those who are successful and act confidently.
They gonna hate when you up
Celebrities and successful people will have many haters.
Don't need no clique full of niggas
I don't require a group of people to validate my success or protect me.
Cuz uma ride bout whatever
I am always ready to face anything.
If it's really bout me
If an issue is directly related to me.
Keep dhat glock up on me
I always carry a gun with me for protection.
Uma keep that shit G
I will behave with integrity and maintain my reputation.
Slid with ah tool or ah rocket
I will use any weapon at my disposal to defend myself against enemies.
Money on my mind lil nigga
I am constantly thinking about making and managing money.
I only hang with bosses
I exclusively associate with people who have a similar level of success to mine.
Fuck nigga don't play with me, cuz I'll be the one to cross yah
Don't mess with me or I will ruin you.
Come through the alley, yeah my niggas dumping off on
If you come near me, be prepared for my men to retaliate.
All you opp niggas who think that y’all go play
Those who oppose me think they can outsmart me, but they are wrong.
I can't let’chu in the gates, ain really got no space
I cannot afford to let people into my life who may slow me down or hinder my progress.
I'm just feeding off my plate
I am focused on what's mine and not concerned with what others are doing.
You know this shit here been homemade
This success was achieved through my own efforts.
Uma ride for myself
I will always put myself first.
I know that um the one to spray
I am confident in my abilities and know I can defend myself.
Any given time I really be on that ratchet shit
I am always ready for violence if the situation calls for it.
Say ah prayer I'll really be the one to face you niggas
I will be the one to fight you if the need arises.
Oohhh...
Expressive vocalization, no substantive meaning.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Tonisha Cain
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind