Lil Rob is the stage name of Roberto Flores, a rapper of Chicano (Mexican) heritage from San Diego, California. He is also known to go be the name Mister Twelve Eighteen, after his tag as a graffiti artist, which he devised from his nickname’s initials - L is the twelfth letter of the alphabet and R is the eighteenth. These numbers mean a lot to Lil Rob; he has them tattooed prominently on his forearms. Lil Rob is today known as one of the most visible rappers in the Chicano rap scene, though he’s no newcomer - Lil’ Rob has been rapping for over 15 years.

Roberto began rapping in 1992 while in high school, spitting rhymes and freestyling with his friends. His distinctive relaxed, laid-back flow and prominent usage of Mexican imagery and slang served to differentiate him from the rest of the West Coast rap scene and he soon became a regular on the underground mixtape circuit; from 1996 to 2003 he released 11 regionally successful mixtapes, including 1999’s Natural High and 2001’s Can’t Keep A Good Man Down.

Though Lil’ Rob’s popularity was initially confined to the Chicano rap scene - a tight-knit Southern California community that revolves around neighborhood record labels, low rider meets, and underground performances - he eventually caught the eye of Upstairs Records, a Houston-Based independent Latin rap label whose roster includes Gemini and Amanda Perez. After signing to Upstairs in late 2003, Lil’ Rob quickly released his first album Neighborhood Music in February 2004. A modest success, the album made it to the 94th spot on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, putting the veteran rapper on the map.

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