Lil Rob (born Roberto Flores in September 1975) is a Chicano rapper from Sa… Read Full Bio ↴Lil Rob (born Roberto Flores in September 1975) is a Chicano rapper from San Diego, California.

Lil Rob debuted as an artist in 1992, prior to the release of his album Twelve Eighteen Part 1, he regularly moved as many as 100,000 units for each independent CD he recorded. The number Twelve Eighteen, which is also tattooed on Lil Rob's arms, represent the numeric value of the letters L and R, respectively, which are Lil Rob's initials. The number was used by Lil Rob during his days as a graffiti tagger.

In 1994 at the age of 18, Lil Rob's chin was shattered when he was shot in the jaw. Over time Lil Rob renounced his gang affiliations and called for "Brown Pride" and unity between all Chicanos.

Lil Rob has found commercial success with the release of Twelve Eighteen Part 1, which had been in regular rotation on radio stations outside of the West Coast thanks to the singles "Summer Nights", and "Bring Out The Freak In You".

What Can I Do
Lil Rob Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What can I do?
What can I say?
Oooh, how will it feel?
How will it be?
How will it be?
What can I do?

Keep it old school like black and white, spit the facts of life

Way I used to do things now I do it twice
Streets ain't nothing nice, static like all my 45's, handle static with .45's
Hangin' out of a 49 with more than enough power to blow your mind
Doesn't matter to me whether yours or mine
It's the neighborhood holmes, that's my story line

What can I do?
(Ey all I can do is continue to do what I've been doin', you know?)
What can I say?
(And I can only say how I feel and the way that I see things)
Oooh, how will it feel?
(Hey how would it feel if we could just put all the bullshit aside holmes?)
How will it be?
(How would it be?)
How will it be?
What can I do?

Creased up Dickies and Pendletins
Neighborhood wars that nobody ever wins, but it never ends
I don't know why we prove ourselves to be bad
Leave our families sad and it's drivin' me mad

Ey back in the days when I got blasted ey
I saw my Jefita cry like I'd never seen her cry before

Kick back under streetlamps
Light one up, give you feedback

What can I do?
(Ey all I can do is continue to do what I've been doin', you know?)
What can I say?
(And all I can say is how I feel and the way that I see things)
Oooh, how will it feel?
(Hey how would it feel if we could put this bullshit aside and wake up?)
How will it be?
(How would it be?)
How will it be?
(I can't even imagine that)
What can I do?

I don't have nothin' much, I'm just used to what I'm used to
Sometimes choose to do what fools do
Just need my ruka and oldies to cruise to
Don't need no more friends, I don't know who's who
Skanlezz vatos ey, come shake up the spot
I work hard for mine, don't come take what I got
I'm a man with pride and holmes I gotta live
All I can do is just give what I can give

What can I do?
(What can I do? Just the same thing I've been doin')
What can I say?
(And all I can say is what I feel and the way that I see things)
Oooh, how will it feel?
(But how would it feel if we could put this bullshit aside, you know?)
How will it be?
(How would it be?)
How will it be?
(That's some shit)
What can I do?
(What can I do?)
What can I do?

What can I do?
(It's just me)

Overall Meaning

The song "What Can I Do" by Lil Rob explores the artist's reflections on his life and the choices he has made. The lyrics depict his struggle to reconcile the reality of his life, the importance of loyalty and friendship, and his desire to leave behind a legacy that his family can be proud of. Lil Rob questions how his life has been until now, asking himself what he can do to change things, and how things could possibly change.

In the first few lines of the song, Lil Rob makes it clear that he aims to keep things "old school," emphasizing the need for honesty and authenticity in his lyrics. He talks about his life on the streets, where violence and confrontation are constant, and how he deals with it. The line "hangin' out of a 49 with more than enough power to blow your mind" suggests that he is willing to do what it takes to protect his neighborhood, even if that means resorting to violence. However, he also acknowledges the futility of the violence, stating that the "neighborhood wars" never really end, and that they only serve to hurt families and loved ones.

The chorus of the song emphasizes Lil Rob's desire to change his life and make something of himself. He acknowledges that he needs to continue doing what he has been doing, but he also needs to change the way he thinks and behaves. He talks about putting aside the "bullshit" and focusing on what is truly important. The line "Ey back in the days when I got blasted ey I saw my Jefita cry like I'd never seen her cry before" shows his regret for causing his own mother so much pain and serves as motivation for him to change his ways.

Line by Line Meaning

What can I do?
Expressing a sense of frustration and helplessness, wondering what actions can be taken in the current situation.

What can I say?
Wondering if words are enough to express what's needed in the current situation.

Oooh, how will it feel?
Pondering on how it would feel if things could be resolved and the situation could improve.

How will it be?
Asking how things will turn out once the situation is resolved and improved.

How will it be?
Repeating the question, emphasizing the uncertainty of the situation.

What can I do?
Repeating the question, emphasizing the sense of helplessness and lack of agency.

Keep it old school like black and white, spit the facts of life
Sticking to traditional ways and values, speaking bluntly about the reality of life.

Way I used to do things now I do it twice
Reflecting on the past and the need to be more cautious and deliberate in the present.

Streets ain't nothing nice, static like all my 45's, handle static with .45's
The streets are dangerous, like the static from old vinyl records. To protect oneself, one might use a gun.

Hangin' out of a 49 with more than enough power to blow your mind
Referring to a powerful car, perhaps a Chevy Bel Air, that can make an impression and intimidate others.

Doesn't matter to me whether yours or mine, It's the neighborhood holmes, that's my story line
Suggesting that trivial differences don't matter and that the collective identity of the neighborhood is more important.

Creased up Dickies and Pendletins, Neighborhood wars that nobody ever wins, but it never ends
Wearing the signature work pants of Chicanos, commenting on the cycle of violence in the neighborhood that never seems to end.

I don't know why we prove ourselves to be bad, Leave our families sad and it's drivin' me mad
Reflecting on the harm that gang violence causes and the senselessness of it all. The impact on families is upsetting.

Ey back in the days when I got blasted ey, I saw my Jefita cry like I'd never seen her cry before
Recalling a time when the singer got drunk or high and witnessed his mother's tears, perhaps from worrying about his safety.

Kick back under streetlamps, Light one up, give you feedback
Relaxing and sharing perspectives with friends in the neighborhood, in a low-key setting.

I don't have nothin' much, I'm just used to what I'm used to, Sometimes choose to do what fools do
Acknowledging a lack of resources and options, and reflecting on poor choices that have been made in the past.

Just need my ruka and oldies to cruise to, Don't need no more friends, I don't know who's who
Finding comfort in a significant other and music, but being wary of new friendships in the neighborhood.

Skanlezz vatos ey, come shake up the spot, I work hard for mine, don't come take what I got
Warning against outsiders who might bring trouble to the neighborhood, and asserting one's own hard-earned possessions.

I'm a man with pride and holmes I gotta live, All I can do is just give what I can give
Asserting one's own dignity and worth, and committing to do what one can in the present circumstances.

That's some shit
Expressing dissatisfaction or disillusionment with the current situation.

It's just me
Acknowledging the limits of personal agency and the reality of being an individual in the neighborhood and in society.

Contributed by Mackenzie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS