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.

Pick Up the Phone
R. Kelly Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Man we talking race cars nigga, this ain't no joke
Hello, hello
Uh, yea
Hello, hello
Fresh out the kitchen
Hello, hello
So don't touch it yet, ha ha its hot
Hello, hello

Uh, we bout to cross the finish line ladies and gentlemen
Hello, hello
I suggest you common
Hello, hello
Shh shh shh shh, Woo, Shh shh shh shh, Woo
Hello, hello
Tyrese, Uh, Luda, Kells
Hello, hello, hello, hello
When you hear the

Hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello
Pick up the phone!
Hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello
When you hear the

Hello, hello
yo wassup, this is Kells
Hello, hello
Im not in right now
Hello, hello
Leave your name and number at the beep
Hello, hello
I'll get with cha
Pick up the phone!
Hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Common
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello
Ahh...Common

Everywhere I go, its another show
Its another party, its another ho
And everywhere I go, its another hommie
Its another drinkin', its another room

And getting that cash, its always a tailor
Always a true love, always a hater
When youz a star, there's never a way out
These broke ass niggaz is gon' have they hands out

I'm tiiiiired of the drama Ho
I'm bout to hop my ass off in my hummer Ho
And hit the road like I was car racing
On a va-cation, leave 'em all saying
When you hear the

Hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello
Pick up the phone!
Hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello
When you hear the

Hello, hello
Yo wassup, this is Kells
Hello, hello
I'm not in right now
Hello, hello
Leave your name and number at the beep
Hello, hello
I'll get with cha
Pick up the phone

Hello
Hello
Woo
Hello, hello
Woo
Hello
Wo-Woo
Hello, hello
Hello
Wo-Woo
Hello
When you hear the

Now when you hear the beep leave a message
Only way you can catch me, on the south side of town
With them things on the ground
Cause I'm ballin' like Spalding, shootin' dice like pool
Plus in up in the club, for free cause I got hooked

I never buy drinks, for bitches
Unless this bitch my misses
Or this bitch is my mistress, giving me sexual healing

No time for love feelings whoa
Don't tell me y'all alone whoa
This here like drug dealings
Get your kiss out and I'm gone

Seven hiaasen honeys piled up in the Bentley Coup
Chinese chicken heads, fella what you wanna do
Man I'm tired of all these fake nigga type dudes
Chicks wanna rotate with these eight figga type dudes

I'm a fresh dude, white T and throw back dude
All white shoes...blue, yellow, red jewels
Money is like steroids, look at my mussels
And if the dance play out, its back to the hustle
Some say the albums comin' out, it ain't gon sell
Debut at number one, click!
When you hear the

Hello, hello
This ya baby boy Tyrese
Hello, hello
If you ain't spreading that seed
Hello, hello
Don't even leave ya number
Hello, hello
Pick up the phone!

Hello, hello
Ay, this Luda
Hello, hello
Either you nuttin' or you ain't talking about nuttin'
Hello, hello
I ain't tryin' to hear it
Hello, hello
When you hear the

Hello, hello
Yo, this is Kells
Hello, hello
You ain't talking bout no money
Hello, hello
I ain't callin you back
Hello, hello
Pick up the phone!

Hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Wo-Woo
Hello, hello
Hello
Wo-Woo

Unless you talkin dough, don't call my phone
If you talking sex, then call my phone
If you with yo man don't call my phone
When that niggaz gone then call my phone, yea

Unless you got some drink, don't call my phone
Twenty chicks or more, then call my phone
If you need a favor, don't call my phone
If you got some ksst then call my phone
When you hear the

Hello, hello
Yo wassup, this is tyrese
Hello, hello
If you ain't me callin about no money
Hello, hello
Get up off my phone
Hello, hello
Pick up the phone!

Hello, hello
Yo waddup, this is Luda
Hello, hello
Probably looking at the Caller ID
Hello, hello
Don't even wanna talk to yo ass
Hello, hello
When you hear the

Hello, hello
Yo wassup, this is Kellis
Hello, hello
I'm not in right now
Hello, hello
Leave your name and number at the beep
Hello, hello
Ill get with ya
Hello, hello
Pick up the phone!

Woo
Now see I'm just a black man livin' out a black mans dream
I went from Popeye's to eatin Flintstone wings
Pourin' out alcohol, rollin up green
Playin' X-Box on a hundred inch screen

Man its not a game, these dangs they not used ta
Takin' private jets and flying to St. Lousa
And then we can sex till the break of dawn-N
Cause I love em tonight but don't respect 'em in the mornin'

Oooh, I got million stash
Cause in god we trust, but other people pay cash
A man once told me, no guts no glory
So I got the beam attached to my twin glock 40's

And all my X girlfriends, wipe your smile
Six cars and seven cribs, how y'all like me now?
I had to turn off the ringer just to hear ya moan
But if its ya man, pick up the God damn phone
When you hear the

Hello, hello
Yea, for the grown and sexy
Hello, hello
Tyrese, Rob Cal collabo.
Hello, hello
Pick up the phone!

Hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello
When you hear the

Hello, hello
Yo wassup, this is Kells
Hello, hello
I'm not in right now
Hello, hello
Leave your name and number at the beep
Hello, hello
Ill get with ya
Hello, hello
Pick up the phone!

Hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello
When you hear the
Hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello
Pick up the phone!

Hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello
When you hear the
Hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello
Pick up the phone!

Hello
Hello
Hello, hello
Hello
Hello, hello

Hello
Hello

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to R. Kelly's "Pick Up the Phone" are all about the artist's success and the drama that comes with it. The first stanza is all about racing and telling people not to touch the "race cars." From the first "hello" to the last, the song is all about the phone and who he wants to talk to or not talk to. He talks about how he is tired of the drama and how he is living the good life, surrounded by beautiful women and always getting into clubs for free. The song features multiple artists and everyone has something to say about who they do and don't want to answer the phone for. Throughout the lyrics, R. Kelly's ego is on full display, and he asserts that he only wants people to call if they have money, drinks, or sex.

The song features Tyrese, Luda, and Kells all singing about their personal experiences and what they do or don't want to hear on the phone. They all seem to be in agreement that they are tired of drama and only want people who are serious about contacting them. The lyrics portray each artist as being very confident and in control of their fame and success. They talk about their past struggles, as well as the rewards that come with hard work and dedication. Overall the song is all about how they have made it and how they will only talk to people who are on their level.

Line by Line Meaning

Man we talking race cars nigga, this ain't no joke
We are discussing high-end sports cars, this is a serious conversation.

Hello, hello
I am receiving a phone call.

Uh, yea
Affirmative.

Fresh out the kitchen
Just out of the recording studio, got a new track.

So don't touch it yet, ha ha its hot
It's a newly released track, don't miss out, it's hot.

Hello, hello
I am receiving another phone call.

Uh, we bout to cross the finish line ladies and gentlemen
We are almost done with the project, it's time to wrap it up.

I suggest you common
Pay attention and focus on what is happening.

Shh shh shh shh, Woo, Shh shh shh shh, Woo
Be quiet and listen carefully to catch all the details.

Tyrese, Uh, Luda, Kells
Artists who are collaborating on this track.

Hello, hello, hello, hello
I am being flooded with phone calls.

When you hear the Hello Pick up the phone!
When you hear my voice on the phone, answer it.

yo wassup, this is Kells Im not in right now Leave your name and number at the beep I'll get with cha Common
I am not available to answer the phone, please leave a message and I will return your call later.

Ahh...Common
An exclamation of anticipation, waiting for the phone to ring.

Everywhere I go, its another show Its another party, its another ho And everywhere I go, its another hommie Its another drinkin', its another room And getting that cash, its always a tailor Always a true love, always a hater When youz a star, there's never a way out These broke ass niggaz is gon' have they hands out I'm tiiiiired of the drama Ho I'm bout to hop my ass off in my hummer Ho And hit the road like I was car racing On a va-cation, leave 'em all saying
My life is full of constant parties, women, friends, and drama. I am tired of it all and need a break. I'm going to drive my fancy car and go on a vacation to escape it all.

Yo wassup, this is Kells I'm not in right now Pick up the phone Woo Wo-Woo
I am not available to answer the phone, please leave a message. Remember, when you hear my voice on the phone, answer it.

Now when you hear the beep leave a message
The sound you hear after the phone call signal means that you should leave a message.

Only way you can catch me, on the south side of town With them things on the ground
If you want to contact me, come to the southern part of town where I am dealing drugs.

Cause I'm ballin' like Spalding, shootin' dice like pool Plus in up in the club, for free cause I got hooked I never buy drinks, for bitches Unless this bitch my misses Or this bitch is my mistress, giving me sexual healing No time for love feelings whoa Don't tell me y'all alone whoa This here like drug dealings Get your kiss out and I'm gone
I am living extravagantly, gambling and drinking for free in the club. I will only buy a drink for a woman if she is my wife or lover. I don't have time for love, only for sex. If someone tries to get too personal, I will leave the situation.

Seven hiaasen honeys piled up in the Bentley Coup Chinese chicken heads, fella what you wanna do Man I'm tired of all these fake nigga type dudes Chicks wanna rotate with these eight figga type dudes
I have multiple women in my luxurious car, and many other women are interested in me because I have plenty of money. I am tired of fake men who pretend to be wealthy. Women are attracted to men with big bank accounts.

I'm a fresh dude, white T and throw back dude All white shoes...blue, yellow, red jewels Money is like steroids, look at my mussels And if the dance play out, its back to the hustle
I have a fresh sense of style, with a white T-shirt and throwback clothes. I have fancy and expensive accessories. Money is what drives me and keeps me going, like steroids to an athlete. If one thing doesn't work out, I have to go back to the basics and start over again.

Some say the albums comin' out, it ain't gon sell Debut at number one, click!
Some say my new album won't be successful, but it debuted at number one.

This ya baby boy Tyrese If you ain't spreading that seed Don't even leave ya number
This is Tyrese, if you are not interested in having sex with me, don't give me your phone number.

Ay, this Luda Either you nuttin' or you ain't talking about nuttin' I ain't tryin' to hear it
This is Luda, if you're not interested in hooking up, I don't want to talk to you.

Yo, this is Kells You ain't talking bout no money I ain't callin you back
This is Kells, if you are not talking about money, I will not return your phone call.

Unless you talkin dough, don't call my phone If you talking sex, then call my phone If you with yo man don't call my phone When that niggaz gone then call my phone, yea Unless you got some drink, don't call my phone Twenty chicks or more, then call my phone If you need a favor, don't call my phone If you got some ksst then call my phone
Do not call my phone unless you are talking about money. If you want to talk about sex, call me. Do not call me if you are with your partner, wait until they leave. If you have alcohol, call me. If you have 20 or more women to introduce me to, call me. Otherwise, I am not interested in hearing from you.

Yo wassup, this is tyrese If you ain't me callin about no money Get up off my phone
This is Tyrese, if you are not calling about money, don't call me.

Yo waddup, this is Luda Probably looking at the Caller ID Don't even wanna talk to yo ass
This is Luda, I am most likely ignoring your call because of who you are.

Yo wassup, this is Kellis Ill get with ya Pick up the phone!
This is Kells, I will call you back. Remember to answer the phone when you hear my voice.

Now see I'm just a black man livin' out a black mans dream I went from Popeye's to eatin Flintstone wings Pourin' out alcohol, rollin up green Playin' X-Box on a hundred inch screen
I am a black man living the life I've always wanted to have. I have gone from eating fast food to dining on the most extravagant dishes. I am drinking and smoking while playing video games on a massive screen.

Man its not a game, these dangs they not used ta Takin' private jets and flying to St. Lousa And then we can sex till the break of dawn-N Cause I love em tonight but don't respect 'em in the mornin'
This is not a game, these girls are not accustomed to living this lifestyle. We fly on private jets to different cities and have sex all night long. I enjoy my time with them, but I don't have respect for them the next morning.

Oooh, I got million stash Cause in god we trust, but other people pay cash A man once told me, no guts no glory So I got the beam attached to my twin glock 40's
I have a million dollars in cash hidden away. I don't trust banks, and prefer to keep my money on hand. Someone once told me that you need to take risks in order to succeed, so I always carry guns for protection.

And all my X girlfriends, wipe your smile Six cars and seven cribs, how y'all like me now? I had to turn off the ringer just to hear ya moan But if its ya man, pick up the God damn phone
To all my ex-girlfriends, forget about me. I am living my best life, with six cars and seven houses. I had to silence my phone just to hear you moan, but if it's your man calling, answer the phone.

Yea, for the grown and sexy Tyrese, Rob Cal collabo.
This track is for mature and sophisticated audiences. It's a collaboration between Tyrese and Rob Cal.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER BRIDGES, CHRISTOPHER BRIAN BRIDGES, ROBERT S KELLY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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