Born Germaine Williams in 1974 in Jamaica, Canibus moved to the United Stat… Read Full Bio ↴Born Germaine Williams in 1974 in Jamaica, Canibus moved to the United States with his mother at a young age. Because his mother's career required constant relocation, the family moved frequently and the soon-to-be rapper found solace within himself. His rhetorical abilities blossomed later, once hip-hop became the guiding force in his life. He began rhyming and in the mid-'90s joined a group called T.H.E.M. (The Heralds of Extreme Metaphors.)

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.

Gotta Get That Doe!
Canibus Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yo whattup Pakman
(Aiyo whattup Bis, I'm waiting for the Rip Off man)
Yo I just wanna know one thing (What's that?)
You ready to get that dough (No doubt)
Aight!!

(Chorus: Canibus + Pakman)
We be the Rippers that'll bring it to Wack Shady

After we fry you we puff a blunt and then it's gravy
And you can keep her ‘cause we don't care about your lady
IIIII Gotta Get That Doe!

(Canibus)
There's only just a handful of rap critics
That ever had a close encounter with this rap wizard
You wack rappers can't rip it
In other words your lyrics are too primitive
You need to be more descriptive
Look at the way I flipped it
A True Hollywood Story
I manipulated this miserable music business
Then I caked off too by going independent
How much you make an album? About ten cents
I make about ten cents every sentence
It's my third album and I'm working on my tenth Benz
I don't brag I keep it modest, I ain't hot, I'm the hottest
I'm not being pompous, I went through a process
I used to be a profit, now I make profits
You sound like garbage
One of these days you're going to end up jobless
Pushing a shopping cart with the same Crystal bottles
You was drinking out of when shit was popping
I seen an episode on VH1 documents
They talked about your drug addiction and what was behind it
The bottom line is how much you sold
No one gives a fuck if you flow
You Gotta Get That Doe
I'm tired of niggas talking about it
But I can't live without it
I'm stuck if I ain't got it so what's the logic?
Should I talk about material objects
And get on some, ‘How you like me now bitch?
Wearing a shiny outfit?
*Nah ‘Bis, don't do that. It's wrong!*
Yeah, I know, I know
But no matter what I do I'mma Get That Doe!, for sho'!

(Chorus) 2x

(Pakman)
When I get at you niggaz, ain't nothing personal I gotta
Everything you spit, I'm predicting it's double copper
You the type of nigga to force a nigga to rock ya
Always got yourself up in the middle of the drama
Fronting for nothing cuz your niggaz told me you pussy
Need to get smarter and try to holler at the rookies
Fuck with Canibus and Pak and get that ass a coffin
FUCK what you thinking faggot, we rippin niggaz open
Now is a new day and we be focused on the paper
Still'll get in you but the feeling for dough is greater
Piling with hate and you need to holler at the maker
If you don't do it now, then you gotta face it later
Don't even think about tryna dim a nigga shining
You gon' fuck around and get slapped up with the iron
Everything we do is connected with getting paper
And you ain't talk about it, so nigga I'll see you later

(Chorus) 2x

(Canibus)
If you now where you're coming from you now where you're going
I wouldn't doubt myself, not even for a moment
I'm proud of my music ‘cause it's dope and I wrote it
‘True Hollywood Stories' opens in October
Directed by none other that Canibus Ford Coppola
There's no stopping me, my commodity is growing
I'll fly anywhere on this planet to promote it
Maybe I should come out with my own line of clothing
I printed up some Canibus shirts and I sold them
I jump on stage and I prove I'm a showman
Can-I-Bus is a microphone omen
I slam it when I'm done and make sure that it's broken
The industry's sick man, I'm already knowing
Never had the luxury to choose, I was chosen
Where I come from opportunity is golden
Platinum? I already sold it. No Shit! //

(Chorus) 2x

Overall Meaning

In Canibus's "Gotta Get That Doe!" the rapper speaks with Pakman and asks him whether he is ready to earn some money. The chorus highlights their ambitions to earn money by rapping better than their competitors. Canibus begins by challenging his contemporary rappers to be more descriptive in their lyricism, as they often lack the imagination to create original content. The rapper then talks about his successful career in the music industry, as he has sold millions of albums without the support of record labels. He also compares his earnings to that of other rappers and takes pride in his accomplishments.

The second verse is Pakman's lyrical assault towards his perceived enemies. He expresses his revengeful feelings towards them while Canibus is more level-headed in comparison. Canibus then talks about himself again, mentioning his upcoming documentary True Hollywood Stories, which is directed by Canibus Ford Coppola, in hopes of gaining more fans and profits. He speaks about his passion for music and the fact that he will pursue it no matter what, even if it contradicts his morals. The track's title represents the rappers' focus on earning the "dough," rather than creating quality music.

Line by Line Meaning

Yo whattup Pakman
Canibus greets Pakman

(Aiyo whattup Bis, I'm waiting for the Rip Off man)
Pakman and Canibus exchange information and Pakman updates Canibus about his situation

Yo I just wanna know one thing (What's that?)
Canibus wants to confirm something with Pakman

You ready to get that dough (No doubt)
Canibus asks if Pakman is ready to make money and Pakman confirms that he is

We be the Rippers that'll bring it to Wack Shady After we fry you we puff a blunt and then it's gravy And you can keep her ‘cause we don't care about your lady IIIII Gotta Get That Doe!
Canibus and Pakman are confident in their ability to surpass their competition and make money, they prioritize material wealth over relationships

There's only just a handful of rap critics That ever had a close encounter with this rap wizard You wack rappers can't rip it In other words your lyrics are too primitive You need to be more descriptive Look at the way I flipped it
Canibus critiques other rappers' lyrics and calls for them to improve their writing, he cites his own skills and ability to manipulate the English language

A True Hollywood Story I manipulated this miserable music business Then I caked off too by going independent
Canibus reflects on his success through his own methods, outside of the traditional music industry

How much you make an album? About ten cents I make about ten cents every sentence It's my third album and I'm working on my tenth Benz
Canibus boasts about his earnings and the luxury vehicles he owns

I don't brag I keep it modest, I ain't hot, I'm the hottest I'm not being pompous, I went through a process I used to be a profit, now I make profits
Canibus clarifies that he doesn't brag, but rather speaks the truth of his success, he acknowledges that it was a process and reflects on his past as a religious figure and his current success as a businessman

One of these days you're going to end up jobless Pushing a shopping cart with the same Crystal bottles You was drinking out of when shit was popping I seen an episode on VH1 documents
Canibus warns other rappers that if they don't prioritize making money they will end up poor and alone, he references a documentary on VH1 that highlights the fall from grace of musicians with drug addictions

They talked about your drug addiction and what was behind it The bottom line is how much you sold No one gives a fuck if you flow You Gotta Get That Doe
Canibus emphasizes the importance of making money and mocks those who care more about music quality than profitability

When I get at you niggaz, ain't nothing personal I gotta Everything you spit, I'm predicting it's double copper You the type of nigga to force a nigga to rock ya Always got yourself up in the middle of the drama Fronting for nothing cuz your niggaz told me you pussy Need to get smarter and try to holler at the rookies Fuck with Canibus and Pak and get that ass a coffin FUCK what you thinking faggot, we rippin niggaz open Now is a new day and we be focused on the paper Still'll get in you but the feeling for dough is greater
Pakman refers to the competition in a disparaging manner, calling them weak and predictable, he emphasizes that Canibus and Pakman are focused on making money and don't care about other people's feelings

If you don't do it now, then you gotta face it later Don't even think about tryna dim a nigga shining You gon' fuck around and get slapped up with the iron Everything we do is connected with getting paper And you ain't talk about it, so nigga I'll see you later
Pakman emphasizes the importance of prioritizing making money now or else suffering for it later, he warns people not to try to sabotage their success and threatens violence if they do

If you now where you're coming from you now where you're going I wouldn't doubt myself, not even for a moment I'm proud of my music ‘cause it's dope and I wrote it ‘True Hollywood Stories' opens in October Directed by none other that Canibus Ford Coppola There's no stopping me, my commodity is growing I'll fly anywhere on this planet to promote it
Canibus reflects on his confidence and pride in his work and declares his upcoming project, 'True Hollywood Stories,' set for release in October, increasing his brand value and presence everywhere he goes

Contributed by Kaylee M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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