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.
Bad Man
R. Kelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Give a damn what you may think of me
(That's right you're a bad ass nigga)
I'mma do what I'mma do, I'mma say what I'mma say
(You think you're a bad ass nigga)
Ya understand what I'm saying?
Well you better
Raised in these streets
Walked in these streets
Taught by these streets
Lived in these streets
Hustled in these streets
Arrested in these streets
Protected by these streets
Yeah you know I walk
Through the valley of these streets
I shall not fear these streets
Because I run these streets
(Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa)
And I've paid my own dues
With my own pennies and now
(Chorus)
I'm a bad man
I'm not ashamed of
A bad man yeah
And don't need your love
I'm a bad man yeah
I'm not ashamed of
I'm a bad man
My life's made me tough
I've stood on these blocks
More hood on these blocks
Got paid on these blocks
Sprayed on these blocks
Moved in on these blocks
Went out on these blocks
I've been around the block
Been watched on these blocks
Yeah you know I walk
Through the valley of these blocks
I shall not fear these blocks
Because I run these blocks, yeah
(Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa)
Paid my own dues with my own pennies
And I'm
[Chorus]
Now I believe the day will come
When my heart will decide to change
But until then
See everything will remain the same
[Chorus]
See sometimes I gotta tell myself
(I'm a bad man)
To keep surviving
And no matter what the cause
(I'm a bad man)
I gotta keep on keeping on yeah
Came up in these streets
(I'm a bad man)
There was no father there for me, hey ooh
(I'm a bad man)
Cause sometimes we would just have to go without eating
Hey how you like me now?
(I'm a bad man)
Give my life for my brother
See I'm a bad mother, shut your mouth
(I'm a bad man)
Go on, go on, go on, go on
In this R. Kelly song, "Bad Man," the artist is asserting his place in the world, despite any opinions others may have of him. He declares that he was born and raised in these streets, and he's seen and experienced it all. The chorus repeats several times, declaring him a bad man who is not ashamed and who doesn't need anyone's love. He asserts that his life has made him tough and that he has paid his own dues with his own pennies.
In the second verse, he talks about standing on these blocks, getting paid on them, and being watched on them. He has been around the block and knows the ins and outs of his environment. He walks through the valley of these blocks and is not afraid because he runs them. He reiterates that he has paid his own dues and is not ashamed of who he is.
The bridge of the song speaks to the potential for change. R. Kelly believes that the day will come when his heart will decide to change, but until then, everything will remain the same. He reassures himself that he's a bad man and can handle whatever comes his way. The song ends with a final affirmation of his street smarts and toughness.
Line by Line Meaning
You see really I don't
Give a damn what you may think of me
(That's right you're a bad ass nigga)
I'mma do what I'mma do, I'mma say what I'mma say
(You think you're a bad ass nigga)
Ya understand what I'm saying?
Well you better
I don't care about your opinion of me, and I'll say and do what I want. You think I'm tough? Then you better believe it!
I was born in these streets
Raised in these streets
Walked in these streets
Taught by these streets
Lived in these streets
Hustled in these streets
Arrested in these streets
Protected by these streets
I come from the streets, and the streets raised me, taught me, and protected me, but they also got me in trouble sometimes.
Yeah you know I walk
Through the valley of these streets
I shall not fear these streets
Because I run these streets
I know these streets like the back of my hand; I'm not scared of them, because I'm the boss here.
And I've paid my own dues
With my own pennies and now
I've worked hard for everything I have, and paid for it with my own sweat and money.
I'm a bad man
I'm not ashamed of
A bad man yeah
And don't need your love
I'm a bad man yeah
I'm not ashamed of
I'm a bad man
My life's made me tough
I'm a tough guy, and I don't care if you love me or not. My difficult life has made me the way I am today, and I'm not ashamed of it.
I've stood on these blocks
More hood on these blocks
Got paid on these blocks
Sprayed on these blocks
Moved in on these blocks
Went out on these blocks
I've been around the block
Been watched on these blocks
I've hustled, earned my money, and lived on these streets. I've also had some trouble here, and people have kept an eye on me.
Paid my own dues with my own pennies
And I'm
I've paid my way with my own hard-earned money, and I'm proud of it.
Now I believe the day will come
When my heart will decide to change
But until then
See everything will remain the same
Someday I may change who I am, but until then, things will stay the way they are.
See sometimes I gotta tell myself
(I'm a bad man)
To keep surviving
And no matter what the cause
(I'm a bad man)
I gotta keep on keeping on yeah
Came up in these streets
(I'm a bad man)
There was no father there for me, hey ooh
(I'm a bad man)
Cause sometimes we would just have to go without eating
Hey how you like me now?
(I'm a bad man)
Give my life for my brother
See I'm a bad mother, shut your mouth
(I'm a bad man)
Go on, go on, go on, go on
Sometimes I have to remind myself that I'm strong to keep going. I grew up without a father, and sometimes we didn't even have enough food to eat. But I'm still tough, and I would do anything for my brother. So don't mess with me.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROBERT S. KELLY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@blossombabi1271
Who’s still listening to this in 2024 ? On repeat
@jamwitjae
It’s 2024 ❤and I’m still listening to Kellz
@KAYBROTHERSCOMPANYLTD
Go forever king of r&b
@xtc1957
A beautiful piece of music. As for those who negate his talent due to personal bad habits, they are missing out on something wonderful. I judge a person for face value, and not media conditioning. There is good in this guy, I can hear and feel it.
@jaymar9956
2024
@archiboldramatsitsi3108
Forever Mr Kells❤❤❤
@erinjohnson4273
I don't care what anyone says, R Kelly will always be the king of r&b
@brendongrayson8749
Dam right
@deashuntaylor3371
Faxx fuck Robert Kelly tho. We need Rkelly back don’t confuse the 2 if ya catch my drift
@stephensuggs6729
Yea, rape and battery!!!