This group consisted also of his partner Webb. Following a fallout with his partner, Canibus pursued a solo career and began infiltrating the mix-tape circuit. By 1997, he had approached the brink of the major-label rap game, guesting regularly on high-profile releases: He contributed to "Uni-4-orm," an inclusion on the Rhyme & Reason soundtrack also featuring Heltah Skeltah and Rass Kass; "Love, Peace & Nappiness," an inclusion on the Lost Boyz's Love, Peace & Nappiness also featuring Redman and A+; "Making a Name for Ourselves," an inclusion on Common's One Day It'll All Make Sense; the non-album remix of Wyclef Jean's "Gone Till November."
And most famously, "4, 3, 2, 1," an inclusion on LL Cool J's Phenomenon also featuring Redman, DMX, and Method Man.
Of the several guest appearances, "4, 3, 2, 1" certainly meant the most, as it brought together many of New York's preeminent hardcore rappers and thus ushered Canibus into that same elite class. At the same time, however, Canibus lashed out shortly afterward with the Mike Tyson-featuring "Second Round K.O.," where he rhymed, "So I'ma let the world know the truth, you don't want me to shine/You studied my rhyme, then you laid your vocals after mine."
In fact, the entirety of the song directed barbed rhymes at LL: "You walk around showin' off your body cause it sells/Plus to avoid the fact that you ain't got skills/Mad at me 'cause I kick that sh*t real niggaz feel/While 99 percent of your fans wear high heels," and so on. Shortly thereafter, LL sought his revenge, releasing "The Ripper Strikes Back" on the Survival of the Illest soundtrack (1998) and thus channeling even more attention toward Canibus.
From the track's chorus ("Can-I-bus? Yes you can!") to practically every line of the verses ("You soft as a newborn baby takin' a nap/Make my dick hard with that bitch-ass track/Where you at? smokin' in some one-room flat/Suckin' on Clef's dick hopin' to come back"), LL unleashed a fury of insults and threats. The media, of course, elevated the battle to grand heights, as even MTV gave the story headlines. In the aftermath of 2Pac's and Biggie's deaths, such confrontations fascinated the rap community, and Canibus certainly capitalized on his newfound publicity.
As for his debut full-length, Can-i-bus (1998), though, the response was sobering. Critics expressed little support, and sales quickly dropped as listeners also felt genuinely disappointed. Executive produced by Wyclef, the album suffered on many levels, both production-wise and rhetorically as well (critics targeting Canibus' delivery more than his lyrics or themes). The momentum that "Second Round K.O." had generated simmered almost immediately, and it didn't help that LL's "Ripper Strikes Back" found substantial acceptance at the time as well.
In the two years following the release of Can-i-bus, the rapper maintained an extremely low profile, much in contrast to the regular guest appearances he had made leading up to his debut. As a result, when he finally did return with his follow-up album, 2000 B.C. (2000), few noticed, it came and went generally unheard, and Canibus returned to the underground after parting ways with Universal. He continued to record albums and release them on the independent circuit (including 2002's Mic Club, 2003's Rip the Jacker, and 2005's Mind Control); furthermore, he retained a small base of fans as well, yet his days as the next-big-thing had clearly come and gone, as they similarly had for so many other talented rappers.
"Ya Teef Iz Yellow"
Canibus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
I never thought that it could come down to this
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
It's a subject that I just can't resist
You got jokes, but this one here is for you
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
Here's a list of things I think you should do
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
As yellow as some pineapple punch
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
They got that way because you don't brush
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
It's too late for that, toothpaste won't be enough
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
You probably got gingivitis in your gums
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
How you smell so freely showin' ya teef
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
If I was you, I'd go and get them shits bleached
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
You need to start buyin toothbrushes by tha threes
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
Did anybody ever tell ya they look like straight cheese
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
Mustard yellow, soon they'll be green and brown
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
You totally disgust tha people your around
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
I must admit, they nasty as fuck
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
God forbid somebody drink out your cup
The song "Ya Teef Iz Yellow" by Canibus is a humorous commentary on dental hygiene, specifically the consequences of not brushing teeth regularly. The repetition of "Ya Teef Iz Yellow" creates a memorable hook while also emphasizing the main subject of the song. Canibus addresses the person who has yellow teeth directly, suggesting that they take action to improve their oral hygiene. He describes the color of their teeth being as yellow as pineapple punch, a vivid comparison to show just how yellow their teeth have become.
Canibus goes further to suggest that the person probably has gingivitis in their gums and advises that toothpaste won't be enough to save their teeth. He recommends buying toothbrushes in batches of three, possibly referring to how often the person needs to brush their teeth to reverse the damage that has been done. The overall tone of the song is lighthearted and humorous but also serves as a reminder of the importance of oral hygiene.
Line by Line Meaning
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
The singer is emphasizing the fact that the person's teeth are yellow.
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
Reiteration to emphasize the yellow teeth.
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
A repetition to highlight the issue of yellow teeth.
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
Continued emphasis on the subject of yellow teeth.
I never thought that it could come down to this
The artist didn't anticipate addressing the issue of the person's yellow teeth.
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
Reiteration of the yellow teeth issue.
It's a subject that I just can't resist
The singer cannot help but bring up the topic of the person's yellow teeth.
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
Continued focus on the yellow teeth.
You got jokes, but this one here is for you
Although the person may make jokes, the artist wants them to take the issue of their yellow teeth seriously.
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
The yellow teeth are still the main topic.
Here's a list of things I think you should do
The singer is offering advice to improve the person's dental hygiene.
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
Repetitive emphasis on the issue of yellow teeth.
As yellow as some pineapple punch
Comparing the color of the person's teeth to yellow pineapple punch.
They got that way because you don't brush
The person's poor dental hygiene is the reason for their yellow teeth.
It's too late for that, toothpaste won't be enough
The person's teeth are so yellow that toothpaste alone will not be sufficient to make them white again.
You probably got gingivitis in your gums
The person's poor dental hygiene may have led to gingivitis, a type of gum disease.
How you smell so freely showin' ya teef
The artist is questioning how the person feels comfortable smiling despite their yellow teeth and bad breath.
If I was you, I'd go and get them shits bleached
The singer suggests that the person should get their teeth professionally bleached to improve their appearance.
You need to start buyin toothbrushes by tha threes
The person should buy multiple toothbrushes to ensure they always have a clean one to use.
Did anybody ever tell ya they look like straight cheese
The artist is comparing the appearance of the person's teeth to cheese, which is not a flattering comparison.
Mustard yellow, soon they'll be green and brown
The artist is suggesting that the person's teeth will continue to deteriorate and become even more unsightly.
YA TEEF IZ YELLOW
Continued emphasis on the issue of yellow teeth.
You totally disgust tha people your around
The person's yellow teeth are negatively affecting the people around them and causing disgust.
I must admit, they nasty as fuck
The artist is being blunt and stating that the person's yellow teeth are disgusting.
God forbid somebody drink out your cup
The singer is suggesting that the person's yellow teeth are so unsanitary that others would not want to share a cup with them.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ronald Honore
This is pure mockery😂😂😂
Josh Betts
can anyone explain this shit lmao
ryan arline
🤔The carbuncle and gold standard (your teef is yellow) Ezekiel 28 kjv needing sapphire stones. 💎🌎
That’s the problem the British was having (carbuncle) science. (Exodus 28 & 39 kjv)
It ties into the “brexit debacle.” (Revelations 12 & Revelations 20 kjv the books
Crafty Spirit
Not my kind of "humour"
Milkbutter
Oh man I almost forgot about this bullshit...
Milkbutter
lol
Milkbutter
Lol. I haven't done the notepad shit since almost last year. Pull that stick out of your ass lol.