Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois), better … Read Full Bio ↴Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois), better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is a Grammy award winning American R&B singer-songwriter, rapper, actor and record producer. Debuting in 1991 with the group Public Announcement, Kelly went solo in 1993, starting off a successful career with the release of the album 12 Play. He has since released a further nine studio albums, collaborated with Jay-Z on two albums and has had many successful singles including Bump N' Grind, I Believe I Can Fly, Ignition, The World's Greatest and the hip-hopera Trapped in the Closet.

Kelly has also produced and performed in many tracks by other R&B and hip-hop artists. In 1994, Kelly produced and wrote the debut album of R&B singer Aaliyah and in 1995, Kelly co-produced and wrote the song "You Are Not Alone" for Michael Jackson, which was included on Jackson's album, HIStory. Kelly has sung the hooks for many notable hip-hop songs, such as "Fuckin' You Tonight" by The Notorious B.I.G., "We Thuggin'" by Fat Joe, "Gigolo" by Nick Cannon, and "Go Getta" by Young Jeezy, and has collaborated for two albums with Jay-Z.

Back To The Hood Of Things
R. Kelly Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Back to the hood of things (back to the hood of things)
Back to the hood of things (back to the hood of things)
Back to the hood of things (back to the hood of things)
Back to the hood of things (back to the hood of things)

Finally the TDRE is represntin' the PA
So back up and all you loud mouths shut the hell up
It's time to talk about the rumours we been hearing

Stab me in my back and when I see you, chump you cheering
You really jealous 'cause we're doing things, goin' places
I should smack the phony smile off your face
Before I made it, it was Jack Rules Town
Yeah, so give me 30 cash for a fifty dollar food stamp
That's the way it was and still is
But people say we sold out since we hit the business uh
So I decided to produce a gangsta swing
To take it back to the hood of things

Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things

You used to be down, you used to be poor
But now you're all that, because you do tours
People call me Campbell because they think I'm suit
Up on myself because I made a little loot
You got famous model Benz, a Rolley through the hood
Yeah and the old dirty burger joint still smellin' good
Uh, to show you ain't a damn thing change
So come correct fool when you flex my name
And if you don't punk, I gotta let you know
Good Times is our favourite show
Yeah, so here's a little funky gangsta swing
To take you back to the hood of things

Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things

Ayo R can we smack 'em with a third verse?
Hell yeah

Well it's the third time the wreck shop'll get busy
I'm with friends so way more open up so I can make my entry
I'mma talk about the shit that been killin' me
'Cause you been bumpin' your guns like wigglys G
Sayin' he sounds like
This, he sounds like that
He sounds like this, he sounds like that
Oh what the fuck sounds like a nut in the middle of your gut
Because you're full of jealousy because my fans love me
Allah gave me talent, uh so all praises to the Lord, see
That's why I had to smack you with a gangsta swing

To take you back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things

Well it's the 4th runner up, last but not least
It's the C-K-L-L to the Y, G
You see my brother sold crack for a Benz
That's when I had to step right up and put my two sense in
How come you don't shoot craps like you used to?
None of your business, get out of my face fool
Ugh, 'cause you're makin' me nervous
And I'm about to knock you in your teeth
Some say stone styles try to baffle
I'm the real record and you just a weak sample
Yeah, that's why he came up with a gangsta swing uh

To take you fools back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things

Back to the hood of things
Back to the hood of things

Overall Meaning

In "Back to the Hood of Things," R. Kelly addresses rumors and criticisms that he has sold out since becoming successful in the music industry. He talks about the jealousy and backstabbing that comes with fame, as well as the pressure to maintain his identity and connection to his roots. Kelly expresses his desire to produce a "gangsta swing" to take his music back to the hood and reconnect with his origins.

Throughout the song, Kelly uses language and references that convey his struggle to stay grounded while navigating the music industry. He talks about "Jack Rules Town," a reference to the impoverished neighborhood he grew up in, and contrasts his former life with the extravagant lifestyle of fame, mentioning "Benz" and "Rolley through the hood." Kelly also references "Good Times," a sitcom that vividly portrayed the struggles of a working-class African American family in Chicago, highlighting the importance of community and family.

Overall, "Back to the Hood of Things" is a song about identity, community, and the struggle for authenticity in the face of mainstream success. It is a reminder that despite the glitz and glamor, artists must remain true to themselves and their roots in order to remain connected to their audiences and their culture.

Line by Line Meaning

Back to the hood of things (back to the hood of things)
Let's go back to our roots in the neighborhood and discuss some things

Finally the TDRE is represntin' the PA
TDRE has made it and is representing Pennsylvania

So back up and all you loud mouths shut the hell up
Everyone needs to quiet down and listen

It's time to talk about the rumours we been hearing
Let's discuss the rumors we've been hearing

Stab me in my back and when I see you, chump you cheering
Don't talk behind my back and then act friendly to my face

You really jealous 'cause we're doing things, goin' places
You're jealous of our success and opportunities

I should smack the phony smile off your face
You're faking happiness for our success, and I'm not pleased

Before I made it, it was Jack Rules Town
Our neighborhood was not successful or prosperous before we made it big

Yeah, so give me 30 cash for a fifty dollar food stamp
Things used to be a lot cheaper in the neighborhood

That's the way it was and still is
Things haven't changed much in the neighborhood

But people say we sold out since we hit the business uh
Some people think we've forgotten our roots and become sellouts

So I decided to produce a gangsta swing
I made a song to remind everyone of our roots and where we came from

To take it back to the hood of things
To bring everyone back to our roots in the neighborhood

You used to be down, you used to be poor
We all used to struggle and be broke in the neighborhood

But now you're all that, because you do tours
Some people have become conceited and full of themselves because of our success

People call me Campbell because they think I'm suit
Some people mispronounce my name and think I've changed because of my success

Up on myself because I made a little loot
Some people think I'm stuck up now that I've made some money

You got famous model Benz, a Rolley through the hood
Some people show off their expensive cars in the neighborhood

Yeah and the old dirty burger joint still smellin' good
Some things in the neighborhood remain the same and still hold value

Uh, to show you ain't a damn thing change
Even though some people have changed, things in the neighborhood have stayed the same

So come correct fool when you flex my name
Don't talk poorly about me and show me some respect

And if you don't punk, I gotta let you know
If you don't show respect, I'll have to confront you

Good Times is our favourite show
We still appreciate the simpler things in life, like watching TV

Yeah, so here's a little funky gangsta swing
Here's a song to remind everyone of our roots

Ayo R can we smack 'em with a third verse?
Can we add another verse to confront our critics?

Well it's the third time the wreck shop'll get busy
This is the third verse and we're going all out

I'm with friends so way more open up so I can make my entry
I'm with my crew and we're ready to speak our minds

I'mma talk about the shit that been killin' me
I'm going to talk about the things that have been bothering me

'Cause you been bumpin' your guns like wigglys G
You've been running your mouth too much

Sayin' he sounds like
You're comparing me to others

This, he sounds like that
Saying I sound like someone else

Oh what the fuck sounds like a nut in the middle of your gut
Your comments make no sense and are ridiculous

Because you're full of jealousy because my fans love me
You're only criticizing me because you're jealous of my success and popularity

Allah gave me talent, uh so all praises to the Lord, see
I credit my success to my God-given talent and give thanks to God

That's why I had to smack you with a gangsta swing
That's why I made this song to confront my critics

Well it's the 4th runner up, last but not least
This is the fourth and final verse of the song

It's the C-K-L-L to the Y, G
I'm introducing myself and showing pride in my name

You see my brother sold crack for a Benz
My brother resorted to illegal activities for material gain

That's when I had to step right up and put my two sense in
That's when I realized I needed to speak up and do something about it

How come you don't shoot craps like you used to?
Why aren't you engaged in illegal activities like you used to be?

None of your business, get out of my face fool
It's none of your concern and I don't want to talk about it

Ugh, 'cause you're makin' me nervous
You're making me uncomfortable with your questions

And I'm about to knock you in your teeth
I'm getting angry and may resort to violence

Some say stone styles try to baffle
Some people criticize my style and say it's confusing

I'm the real record and you just a weak sample
I'm the real deal and you're just a poor imitation

Yeah, that's why he came up with a gangsta swing uh
That's why I made this song to show my authenticity

To take you fools back to the hood of things
To bring everyone back to our roots in the neighborhood

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRACY CURRY, ANDRE YOUNG, R KELLY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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