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.
Chaos
Canibus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yo yo yo
Now ain't nobody fuckin wit the mastermind
I'm like Einstein, a hundred and fifty times magnified
Nickel and Teslin, Jon Von Neuman
All wrapped up in the body in one human
I rhyme the tightest, shine the brightest
When it comes to rappin, I'll smash your ass
Whether you Latin, Black or Anglo-Saxon
I'll smack you wit a backhand
That crack your back like chiropractors after lookin at your catscan
In between albums, I've become a masked man like Batman
And stalk my own rap fans
I'm like a madman fightin a war
Throwin lightning rods, swingin lightning swords
Blow you away wit a force that'll leave your body lost
Gone, nothin to mourn, nothin to do a autopsy on
I rock till I can't rock no more
'Til I can't get no mothafuckin props no more
'Til they boo me on stage when I'm out on tour
'Til 2000 B.C. ain't hot no more
I'm a dragon wit the head of a lion, jaws be like saws grindin
Claws rip through walls of cast iron
I slap fire outta hoodlum, pull out steel and start shootin
I clap iron like Duke Nukeum
Try to attack 'Bis, you get your face stomped
Flatter than a compact disc wit black Timbs
Flatter than a Yankee baseball cap rim
Flatter than the knife *Jigga* stabbed Un wit
[Chorus]
If you the first nigga that laugh
I'll blow you in half
The first nigga to talk trash
I'ma blow you in half
The first nigga to show your ass
I'll blow you in half
The first time'll be your last
'cause I'ma blow you in half
[Verse 2]
Yo check it *beat comes in*
I destroy your whole city block when I'm ready to rock
Blow the speaker box, magnetically shielded or not
Magnetically energy poppin gates of radio waves
Oscilate lyrics and beats copulate to pop your tape
Manipulatin space in large proportions
Millions of brain organs get lost when I start talkin
About shit like supernatural forces
Gnomes and theories and superstring theories
Most of you mothafuckers barely
Even understand the English language, much less think clearly
When I die, will I go to Heaven or Hell
Or will I end up in a place called the Van Allen Belt
I researched my roots, lookin for proof
The best place to hide a lie is between two truths
The aftermath of a nuclear blast
When the average death sentence becomes a dead paragraph
I dig a 5 by 9 rectangle in the grass
Reach your epitab and bury your ass
As the coffin gets lowered into the ground slowly
I'll sing all of your greatest hits, oldies on karaoke
[Chorus: x2]
In "Chaos," Canibus showcases his lyrical prowess, opening the song by stating that he's the mastermind and comparing himself to Einstein, Nickel, and Teslin, and Jon Von Neuman, all brilliant minds in their respective fields. He then goes on to assert his dominance in the rap game, claiming to be able to beat anyone regardless of race or ethnicity. He uses vivid language to describe his abilities, saying he'll blind anyone's optic fibers with his rhyme skills and will crack someone's back with a backhand that hits like a chiropractor. In between albums, he becomes a mask man, stalking his own rap fans, and fighting a war with lightning rods and swords.
Canibus shows off his technical skills in his lyrics. He manipulates space in large proportions, causing millions of brain organs to get lost when he starts talking about supernatural forces, gnomes, and theories. He highlights the importance of understanding the English language, pointing out that many people don't comprehend it well enough to think deeply. As the song progresses, he contemplates the inevitability of death, wondering if he'll go to heaven or hell or end up in the Van Allen Belt. He then talks about the aftermath of a nuclear blast and how he will put his enemies to rest.
Line by Line Meaning
Now ain't nobody fuckin wit the mastermind
No one can compete with Canibus's intelligence and talent.
I'm like Einstein, a hundred and fifty times magnified
Canibus is hyper-intelligent and surpasses even the brilliant Albert Einstein.
Nickel and Teslin, Jon Von Neuman
Canibus references Nikola Tesla and John von Neumann, two more brilliant minds.
All wrapped up in the body in one human
Canibus combines the genius of these great minds into his own being.
I rhyme the tightest, shine the brightest
Canibus's rap skills stand out and dazzle.
I blind the optic fibers in anybody's iris
Canibus's rhymes are so powerful, they even impair vision.
When it comes to rappin, I'll smash your ass
Canibus will destroy any opponent in a rap battle.
Whether you Latin, Black or Anglo-Saxon
Canibus's dominance in rap transcends ethnicity.
I'll smack you wit a backhand
Canibus's attacks are swift and powerful.
That crack your back like chiropractors after lookin at your catscan
Canibus's attacks are so intense, they require medical intervention.
In between albums, I've become a masked man like Batman
Canibus has retreated from the spotlight and become a recluse like the comic book hero.
And stalk my own rap fans
Canibus isolates himself from his own fans.
I'm like a madman fightin a war
Canibus is a warrior, consumed by his art.
Throwin lightning rods, swingin lightning swords
Canibus's weapons are mythical, powerful lightning bolts.
Blow you away wit a force that'll leave your body lost
Canibus's power is such that it will obliterate his enemies entirely.
I rock till I can't rock no more
Canibus will continue to rap until he is physically unable.
'Til I can't get no mothafuckin props no more
Canibus will keep going even after he is no longer receiving recognition or praise.
'Til they boo me on stage when I'm out on tour
Canibus will not back down even if his audience turns against him.
'Til 2000 B.C. ain't hot no more
Canibus will continue to rap even after the year 2000 has passed.
I'm a dragon wit the head of a lion, jaws be like saws grindin
Canibus compares himself to a mythical creature with the strength of a lion and sharp, grinding teeth.
Claws rip through walls of cast iron
Canibus's claws are powerful enough to rip through metal walls.
I slap fire outta hoodlum, pull out steel and start shootin
Canibus's weapons are hot and cause pain, and he is not afraid to use them.
I clap iron like Duke Nukeum
Canibus's firing skills are compared to the character Duke Nukem from a popular video game.
Try to attack 'Bis, you get your face stomped
Anyone who tries to challenge Canibus will not fare well.
Flatter than a compact disc wit black Timbs
The defeated opponent will be flattened, comparable to a CD under black Timberland boots.
Flatter than a Yankee baseball cap rim
Another comparison to emphasize the opponent's defeat.
Flatter than the knife *Jigga* stabbed Un wit
Canibus refers to a real-life incident where Jay-Z stabbed Un Rivera with a knife, using it as a metaphor for his own attacks.
I destroy your whole city block when I'm ready to rock
Canibus's rap skills are so massive that they have the potential to destroy entire city blocks.
Blow the speaker box, magnetically shielded or not
Canibus's rhymes are so powerful that they can even destroy speakers designed to withstand strong forces.
Magnetically energy poppin gates of radio waves
Canibus's rhymes are so powerful that they interfere with radio waves.
Oscilate lyrics and beats copulate to pop your tape
Canibus's lyrics and beats create a powerful flow that can destroy a tape recording of his music.
Manipulatin space in large proportions
Canibus's rap skills and influence extend to vast proportions, manipulating the very fabric of space.
Millions of brain organs get lost when I start talkin
Canibus's rhymes are so mentally overwhelming that they can cause confusion and disorientation in listeners.
About shit like supernatural forces
Canibus touches on topics related to the paranormal and unexplained.
Gnomes and theories and superstring theories
Canibus delves into complex and intricate theories, including the hypothetical concept of superstrings.
Most of you mothafuckers barely
Most people do not possess the level of intelligence or awareness necessary to comprehend these theories.
Even understand the English language, much less think clearly
Many people struggle even with basic English language comprehension, let alone thinking on a higher level.
When I die, will I go to Heaven or Hell
Canibus ponders his own mortality and the existential question of the afterlife.
Or will I end up in a place called the Van Allen Belt
Canibus playfully suggests that he could end up in space, specifically the Van Allen Belt surrounding the earth, after death.
I researched my roots, lookin for proof
Canibus has done extensive genealogical research in search of his ancestral heritage.
The best place to hide a lie is between two truths
Canibus suggests that sometimes falsehoods are concealed within what appear to be true statements.
The aftermath of a nuclear blast
Canibus imagines the devastation that would follow a nuclear explosion.
When the average death sentence becomes a dead paragraph
In the wake of such destruction, death becomes a meaningless concept.
I dig a 5 by 9 rectangle in the grass
Canibus refers to digging a grave for his enemies.
Reach your epitab and bury your ass
Canibus will give his enemies a burial and forgettable legacy.
As the coffin gets lowered into the ground slowly
Canibus views his enemies' demises with a sense of poetic justice.
I'll sing all of your greatest hits, oldies on karaoke
Canibus takes pleasure in his enemies' demise and will even mock them by singing their most famous songs at karaoke.
If you the first nigga that laugh
Canibus warns that anyone mocking him will suffer consequences.
I'll blow you in half
Canibus's retaliation will be swift and brutal.
The first nigga to talk trash
Canibus is quick to defend his reputation and will not tolerate insults.
I'ma blow you in half
Canibus will respond with violent retribution if necessary.
The first nigga to show your ass
If someone tries to embarrass Canibus, they will face severe consequences.
I'll blow you in half
Canibus will not hesitate to use violence to protect his pride.
The first time'll be your last
Canibus is not to be trifled with and will respond with deadly force if he feels disrespected.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: MELVIN LEWIS, GERMAINE WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind