Madlib was born in Oxnard, California to musician parents Otis Jackson, Sr. and Dora Sinesca Jackson. He sampled his first song at 11 years old, sourced from his father's collection. His younger brother is the producer and rapper Michael "Oh No" Jackson. His uncle is the jazz trumpeter Jon Faddis. He was raised in Oxnard, where he began his music career.
During an interview on Chrome Children, Madlib stated that his most significant musical influences include Miles Davis, Sun Ra, and David Axelrod. Some of his hip-hop influences are Large Professor, Marley Marl, Paul C, DJ Pooh, and Dr. Dre.
What It Do
Madlib Lyrics
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Send it out to, send it out to
Some of .. the front like .....and everyone of them
Some of them hesitate and their reputation crumbling
You look you catch me out .. and cumbling
Some of .. on the corner bubbling, hustling
Politic .. like Democratic Republic is so independent
Someone do it for the love ...some of them just do it for the club
Some of them just do it for the ...you ain’t do it for the ..
Some of them really got skills, really got bills, really not think of ..
Some of em think about ...
Chorus:
You know it’s like that, right true, no matter what it do
Or how you do, I keep it real with you
You know it’s like that, right truth
‘cause no matter what it do or how it do
I keep it real with you
You know it’s like that, right truth
‘cause no matter what it do or how it do
I keep it real with you
...make the wack, even though ...the s*ckers
Shits of covers, and expose ...
I’m ... here is the beginning not forget a lot of ..
I don’t need that kind of .. like rain, ..really like the ...
It’s like that
Chorus:
You know it’s like that, right true, no matter what it do
Or how you do, I keep it real with you
You know it’s like that, right truth
‘cause no matter what it do or how it do
I keep it real with you
You know it’s like that, right truth
‘cause no matter what it do or how it do
I keep it real with you
Or it be, or it is, or it be, or it look like
....
You don’t tell em that the people ..get ready
...these niggas ...
That’s why none of them ...the truth nigga
...i need to do ..
Sick in a ...waiter, waiter
In the song "What It Do," Madlib The Beat Konducta and Talib Kweli address the state of the music industry, specifically the concept of authenticity and the different motivations driving artists. The opening lines describe how some artists are "on the front," while others "hesitate," and how these differing attitudes can impact their reputations. The artists mention how there are those who are only in it for the money ("some of them just do it for the club") and those who genuinely love their craft ("someone do it for the love"). Talib Kweli emphasizes that, no matter what approach an artist takes, he will continue to keep it real and authentic with his music.
The chorus of the song reinforces the idea that authenticity is the most important factor. The line "you know it's like that, right truth" highlights the importance of addressing truths and not shying away from difficult subjects. Kweli reiterates that he will always be true to his fans, no matter what it takes.
In the second verse, Talib Kweli emphasizes how he wants to be true to himself and not follow the crowd. He emphasizes the importance of individuality in the music industry, stating that he doesn't "need that kind of fame." Kweli also warns against people who are not truthful and calls out those who lie in their music.
Line by Line Meaning
Send it out to, send it out to
Repeat the message, send it to everyone
Some of .. the front like .....and everyone of them
Some people are upfront with their intentions, while others are not
Some of them hesitate and their reputation crumbling
Some people are indecisive and their reputation suffers as a result
You look you catch me out .. and cumbling
If someone scrutinizes you closely, your flaws become apparent
Some of .. on the corner bubbling, hustling
Some people are busy selling drugs on the street corner
Politic .. like Democratic Republic is so independent
People manipulate the system to their advantage, just like politicians in a democratic republic
And the streets .. ‘cause someone ..label hore..
People talk behind each other's back, and someone is labeled a whore
Someone do it for the love ...some of them just do it for the club
Some people do things out of passion, while others do it to fit in with a certain crowd
Some of them just do it for the ...you ain’t do it for the ..
Some people are only in it for the recognition, while you did it for something else
Some of them really got skills, really got bills, really not think of ..
Some people are talented and financially stable, but lack deeper thoughts or considerations
Some of em think about ...
Some people contemplate deeper topics
Chorus:
Reiteration of a certain message
You know it’s like that, right true, no matter what it do
Things are the way they are, regardless of your actions
Or how you do, I keep it real with you
Regardless of the circumstances, the singer stays truthful
‘cause no matter what it do or how it do
Once again, things are the way they are, regardless of your actions
...make the wack, even though ...the s*ckers
The artist exposes people who are pretending to be good when they're not
Shits of covers, and expose ...
The artist shows the truth behind these covers
I’m ... here is the beginning not forget a lot of ..
The singer is just beginning and will not forget where they came from
I don’t need that kind of .. like rain, ..really like the ...
The singer does not want to deal with unnecessary negativity
It’s like that
Once again, things are the way they are
Or it be, or it is, or it be, or it look like
Things may appear one way but actually be something else
....
Unknown context or thought left incomplete
You don’t tell em that the people ..get ready
The singer warns against instigating a reaction from the people
...these niggas ...
Unknown context or thought left incomplete
That’s why none of them ...the truth nigga
That is why none of them can handle the truth
...i need to do ..
Unknown context or thought left incomplete
Sick in a ...waiter, waiter
Unknown context or thought left incomplete
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Otis Jr. Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind