What It Do
Lupe Fiasco Lyrics


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[Intro:]
Somethin' new
Geah, uh
Believe me like you saw me on TV
My name is Lu, somethin' new
I show you what it does (what it does)
How it is (how it is)
And what it do (what it, do)

[Verse 1:]
I saw it on TV, I was told to buy a CD
The CD told me buy a TV
The TV that I bought came with a CD that said go and buy the DVD
The DVD that I bought came with a CD
Which was the DVD of the makin' of the TV, that I saw
Which told me to go and buy the CD in the first place, wait nah
I put the DVD in the TV so you can see what I saw
But wait, it's a CD so you can't see me, odd
Maybe I should just come out on DVD like CB, far
With mad special effects and maybe a CG, car
To ride around in on your TV
Bumpin' the CD that I got when I copped the TV
Which is the same TV in my car

[Chorus:]
Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh
It's somethin' new
What up homeboys my name is Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu
I show you what it is, what it did and it what it do

[Verse 2:]
My DVD is gonna come with a CD, too
And music I recorded through a CB
You see when I bought the TV I spent the money for the microphone and
The home recorders too
And the phone that you need for your crew (crew)
That blocks out the noise when your voice's recording you (you)
Tell 'em to be quiet 'til the voice recording through (through)
Garage band file then export to iTunes
Then burn a CD and put it in the CG car that you saw on your TV
But you ain't gotta do that at all you see
Cuz the whole CD is being broadcasted on CB, dog
Break up break up, eh hee haw
They can't do what they see me do
But I'm the dude that's easy/Eazy too
Like I'm Eazy Juniorrrrrr
When the CD starts, better tune in
Or you gotta watch the reruns
Homie this is food for thought
Better put it on your fork like G.E. Hooverrrrrrrr-ah

[Chorus:]
Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh
It's somethin' new
What up homeboys my name is Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu
I show you what it is, what it did and it what it do (do, do, do, do, do)
What up homegirls my name is Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu
I show you what it is, what it did and it what it do (do, do, do, do, do)

[Verse 3:]
Now that's two TV's that's in my car
That's not really real man that's really a fraud
It's from the green screen
My CD might not pump on your block
But at the truck stop man I'm really a star
So how you gonna act now?
Same music homeboys hollin' in the background (yo!)
See I had to lay the smack down
Act like a X addict
Act now gateway off to the next habitat (habitat)
Couldn't match it now I'm laying that down like a mat now (ooh!)
And checkin' for me, now they pat down like a Howard Gap found
I was hidin' in my shoes, with me and my two crews
We took from other things you ain't finding in the stew
That's why's no booth and I'm rhymin' in the Lou, still buying the CD
That's why I catch 'em rhymin' in to me while they rhymin' in they room
Now I'm off to Caloon for some rhymin' and some tea
My pinky up on my tea cup
If you play the DVD at the same time that you start the CD
You gon' see that they sync up
And if you happen to doubt, just play the CD while you watch the TV
And you gon' see that I'm doing what I'm rappin' about

[Chorus:]
Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh
It's somethin' new
What up homeboys my name is Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu
I show you what it is, what it did and it what it do (do, do, do, do, do)




What up homegirls my name is Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu
I show you what it is, what it did and it what it do (do, do, do, do, do)

Overall Meaning

The song "What It Do" by Lupe Fiasco is a commentary on the commercialization of the music industry and how it prioritizes profit over creativity. The lyrics describe a cycle of consumerism, where buying one product leads to the need for more products, creating a never-ending cycle. Lupe Fiasco is critical of this culture of consumption, emphasizing that it's not enough to simply buy a product, but rather to understand what it represents and what it does.


The first verse illustrates the chain reaction of buying products that lead to other purchases. It highlights how companies use advertising and packaging to convince consumers to buy more products that they don't necessarily need. The second verse shows how Lupe Fiasco creates his own music on his terms, using a home recorder and a CB radio. He emphasizes the importance of being creative and making music that represents who you are, rather than just creating music for the sake of profit. The final verse challenges listeners to look beyond what they see on the surface and to take a closer look at the music industry and their own consumption patterns.


Lupe Fiasco's "What It Do" presents a strong critique of consumer culture and the music industry. It encourages listeners to be more mindful of what they consume and to create something that truly represents their own identity.


Line by Line Meaning

Somethin' new
Introducing a new concept or idea.


Believe me like you saw me on TV
Trust what I say because it's like you've seen it for yourself on television.


My name is Lu, somethin' new
I am Lupe Fiasco, presenting a fresh concept or unique idea.


I show you what it does (what it does)
I will demonstrate the functionality or purpose of the concept or idea.


How it is (how it is)
I will explain the current situation or state of affairs regarding the concept or idea.


And what it do (what it, do)
I will showcase the potential or capabilities of the concept or idea.


I saw it on TV, I was told to buy a CD
I discovered the existence of something through television advertisements and was prompted to purchase a CD.


The CD told me buy a TV
The CD content suggested that purchasing a TV would enhance my entertainment experience.


The TV that I bought came with a CD that said go and buy the DVD
The TV purchase included a CD which recommended buying a DVD to further expand my entertainment options.


The DVD that I bought came with a CD
The DVD purchase included a CD that provided additional information or content.


Which was the DVD of the makin' of the TV, that I saw
The CD content was a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the TV production process.


Which told me to go and buy the CD in the first place, wait nah
The CD content suggested buying the CD which was already a part of the TV purchase, making it unnecessary.


I put the DVD in the TV so you can see what I saw
I played the DVD on the TV to showcase the informative content I had discovered.


But wait, it's a CD so you can't see me, odd
However, playing a CD on a TV does not display any visual content, making it an unusual choice.


Maybe I should just come out on DVD like CB, far
Perhaps the best method of delivering my content would be through a DVD format, much like a popular TV host and personality CB.


With mad special effects and maybe a CG, car
The DVD content would include advanced graphics and potentially futuristic elements like a computer-generated automobile.


To ride around in on your TV
The computer-generated automobile would be displayed on the TV screen for maximum effect.


Bumpin' the CD that I got when I copped the TV
The TV purchase included a CD containing music which would accompany the visual content of the automobile on the DVD.


Which is the same TV in my car
The same model of TV included with the original purchase is also installed in my vehicle.


It's somethin' new
Introducing a new concept or idea.


What up homeboys my name is Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu
Addressing a group of male friends and introducing myself as Lupe Fiasco.


I show you what it is, what it did and it what it do
I will illustrate the past, present, and future potential of the concept or idea.


My DVD is gonna come with a CD, too
The DVD package will include a CD with additional content.


And music I recorded through a CB
The CD content will include music which was recorded through a Citizen's Band radio.


You see when I bought the TV I spent the money for the microphone and
When I purchased the TV, I also invested in a microphone to enable recording and production of audio content.


The home recorders too
I also acquired equipment necessary for recording audio in a home environment.


And the phone that you need for your crew (crew)
Additionally, I procured a phone for communication purposes with my team or group.


That blocks out the noise when your voice's recording you (you)
The phone includes noise-cancelling technology to prevent interference when recording audio content.


Tell 'em to be quiet 'til the voice recording through (through)
Requesting that those present remain quiet while audio content is being recorded to ensure clarity and quality.


Garage band file then export to iTunes
Utilizing software for music production, then exporting the completed audio file to the iTunes music library for distribution.


Then burn a CD and put it in the CG car that you saw on your TV
The completed audio content is burned onto a CD which can accompany the computer-generated automobile on the DVD content viewed on the TV.


But you ain't gotta do that at all you see
However, it is not necessary to follow this process in order to enjoy the content I am presenting.


Cuz the whole CD is being broadcasted on CB, dog
The entire CD content is able to be transmitted through Citizen's Band radio for easy access and distribution.


Break up break up, eh hee haw
Citing the traditional CB radio communication technique for breaking up interference or cross-talk during transmission.


They can't do what they see me do
Others are unable to replicate or imitate my unique skills or abilities.


But I'm the dude that's easy/Eazy too
However, I am able to perform with relative ease and still maintain a level of coolness or composure.


Like I'm Eazy Juniorrrrrr
Comparing myself to the late rapper and producer Eazy-E, perhaps suggesting similar levels of talent and versatility.


When the CD starts, better tune in
Encouraging listeners to pay attention and focus on the audio content when it begins.


Or you gotta watch the reruns
Otherwise, you will miss out on the experience and have to settle for a second-hand or repeated viewing later on.


Homie this is food for thought
I am presenting ideas or concepts that require some level of intellectual engagement or consideration.


Better put it on your fork like G.E. Hooverrrrrrrr-ah
Metaphorically suggesting that the listener should engage with the content like eating a meal, and invoking the name of chef and restauranteur George Hoover.


What up homegirls my name is Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu, Lu
Addressing a group of female friends and introducing myself as Lupe Fiasco.


Now that's two TV's that's in my car
My vehicle is equipped with two televisions.


That's not really real man that's really a fraud
However, this is a fabricated or illusory element and not an accurate representation of reality.


It's from the green screen
The televisions display computer-generated images via a green screen.


My CD might not pump on your block
My music may not be well-received or popular in your neighborhood or community.


But at the truck stop man I'm really a star
However, at a different location or among a different audience, my music may be highly regarded and popular.


So how you gonna act now?
Challenging the listener to react to my perceived level of popularity and influence.


Same music homeboys hollin' in the background (yo!)
The same audio content is playing in the background while my male friends engage in conversation or other activities.


See I had to lay the smack down
However, I had to assert myself and my authority or influence in order to succeed.


Act like a X addict
Adopting a personality similar to that of someone struggling with addiction or dependence in order to succeed or stand out.


Act now gateway off to the next habitat (habitat)
Urging action and progression toward the next phase or level of growth and development.


Couldn't match it now I'm laying that down like a mat now (ooh!)
Defying expectations and succeeding to a level beyond my previous limitations, like laying a mat or foundation.


And checkin' for me, now they pat down like a Howard Gap found
Others are now interested in engaging with my content or learning more about me, like searching for a lost item (in reference to Howard Gap, a location in North Carolina).


I was hidin' in my shoes, with me and my two crews
Referring to myself and two groups of associates or collaborators as hiding in my shoes, implying closeness and collaboration.


We took from other things you ain't finding in the stew
We drew inspiration or content from unique or non-traditional sources, creating something distinct and unusual.


That's why's no booth and I'm rhymin' in the Lou, still buying the CD
I can create quality content without typical equipment or resources, and I continue to support and purchase my own work.


That's why I catch 'em rhymin' in to me while they rhymin' in they room
Others listen and respond to my music or content while producing their own, often in isolation or private settings.


Now I'm off to Caloon for some rhymin' and some tea
I am traveling to Caloon (a fictional location) for creative inspiration or collaboration, as well as enjoying a cup of tea.


My pinky up on my tea cup
Sipping tea with my pinky extended, a symbol of class or sophistication.


If you play the DVD at the same time that you start the CD
If you synchronize the DVD and CD content, playing them simultaneously.


You gon' see that they sync up
You will observe that the visual and audio content is accurately timed to complement each other.


And if you happen to doubt, just play the CD while you watch the TV
If you are skeptical about the synchronicity of the content, you can still enjoy the audio content while viewing the visual content.


And you gon' see that I'm doing what I'm rappin' about
You will observe that the content of the DVDs and CDs I present accurately represents my abilities and accomplishments.




Contributed by Kaitlyn I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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