What You Do
Wyclef Jean Lyrics

Y'all hear the guitars?
Wyclef is in the building and wants to know if anyone else can hear the guitars playing.

Puffy came to get me
Puffy (Sean Combs) came to pick up Wyclef, suggesting that he's successful enough to have someone like Puffy come to get him.

I have officially made the band
Wyclef has officially made it as a musician and is now part of a band.

I'm a rockstar!
Wyclef is living the rockstar lifestyle and feels like a successful musician.

Do you know, where your going to
This is a rhetorical question about whether people know where they're going in life.

Do you like the things that life is showing you
Another rhetorical question about whether people are happy with the things happening in their lives.

What are you gonna do?
A question being asked about what people plan to do with their lives and whether they have a clear path in mind.

Where chicks rock air force ones
This line is about where certain women wear Air Force One sneakers as a fashion statement.

So where you from?
This is a question being asked about where people are from.

Well they don't rock air force ones
In this case, this line is implying that people from a different location dress differently and might not wear Air Force One sneakers.

Philly spitters, rock niggs and boots
This line is about Philadelphia rappers and their typical outfit of high-top sneakers or boots.

A duece duece in my tube socks itching to shoot
This line refers to carrying a .22 caliber gun tucked into one's socks, preparing to use it if necessary.

Man where you from?
This is a continuation of the earlier question asking where someone is from.

What I'm doing', man I'm doin' it big
This is referencing someone living their life to the fullest and being successful in what they're doing.

I'm cockin' it back, the mack, crack-cracking your rib
This line is about having a gun and being ready to use it against someone for physical harm.

Man, I'm mindin' my biz, I'm tryin' to feed my kid
This line is about trying to work hard and provide for one's family.

Shutin' broads down, believe me
This line is about a man who can 'shut down' or seduce any woman he wants.

All I know, somebody better have my money
This line suggests that Wyclef is owed money and wants it back, or he will take it by force.

'Cause being broke as a joke, I don't find that funny
Wyclef doesn't find being broke or poor to be entertaining; it's a serious problem to him.

All I know, that chicks betta respect my gangsta
Wyclef is stating that women should respect his authority and reputation in the streets.

I'm far from your mother, but I still will spank ya
This line is somewhat vulgar, but it's about how Wyclef will use force if necessary to keep people in line and respect his 'gangsta.'

All I know is this project livin' is shh...
Living in a low-income housing project is difficult and challenging, which is what this line is implying.

What could you tell me if you ain't never been in this here
This line questions the authority of people who haven't actually experienced living in a low-income housing project.

Forgive me for my sins, but I still holdin' my nine-o
This line implies that Wyclef might be committing sins but feels justified keeping his gun on him at all times.

Chopper City straight outta New Orleans
This line is referencing the group Chopper City and the city they're from, New Orleans.

Do what you gotta do and keep getting your money
This line is advice about making money however one can, as long as it's not breaking the law.

I'm gonna prove to these dudes...
Wyclef is determined to prove his worth and show people what he's capable of.

And I'm prove it, to the chicks that cold shouldered me
There are women who have dismissed Wyclef or not given him the time of day, and he's hoping to prove his worth to them.

Ha, I ain't goin' back to jail
Wyclef has been in jail and doesn't want to go back.

Dudes be cutting the yard, we rushin' the guard
This line is about breaking out of prison and escaping the guards.

Do you know, where your going to
This is a rhetorical question about whether people know where they're going in life.

All of my homies with wheels waiting forward to peel
This line is about having friends with cars waiting to pick them up and drive away from a dangerous situation.

Bad Boy, Refugee camp
These are two music groups that collaborated on this song.

Babs from Brooklyn and I do my thing
This line is about Babs, a musician from Brooklyn, who does her own thing musically.

The infamous Freddy Pee from the MIA
This line is about Freddy Pee, a musician from Miami who is famous or renowned for his music.

It's Sarah Stokes with the Midwest Swing
This line is about Sarah Stokes, a musician from the Midwest who has a specific style or sound, referred to as the 'Midwest Swing.'

Please, don't give up (don't give up)
This is a plea to not lose hope and to keep going despite hardships.

See the sun will come out
Things will eventually get better and improve, just like the sun coming out after darkness.

Tomorrow
This word suggests that the new day that follows is an opportunity for things to be different or better than before.

Even though we grindin' on in the ghetto
This line is about continuing to work hard or 'grind' despite living in a low-income, urban area.

But so it go and so it go
This line is a repeated phrase, perhaps indicating that life continues in its cyclical pattern.

When the sun come out to shine, I be so ready for dying-o
This line is somewhat vague, but it could be interpreted as Wyclef saying that he's ready to face whatever challenges come his way, even if they could be dangerous or life-threatening.

Just another way to escape Rikkar's Island
This line is referencing Riker's Island, a prison in New York, and implies that the only way to escape it is by achieving success or becoming wealthy.

I'm gonna prove to these dudes
This is repeated from an earlier line, indicating Wyclef's determination to prove his worth and overcome any challenges he faces.

So thugs hold on tight, like I'm snatchin' your chain
This line suggests that Wyclef is taking control of the situation and not letting anyone take advantage of him or his fellow 'thugs.'

And I'm prove it, that Babs is the best in the game
Wyclef is determined to prove that Babs is one of the best musicians in the game, and he's willing to help get her there.

Duh Duh Duh Duh Duh Duh Duh
This is musical filler or an instrumental interlude in the song.