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.
HIP HOP
Canibus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aiyo Canibus, Nottz, hold up, stop!
Let me find out this album ain't the one to cop
Beats bang like sounds of shots inside the chamber
Real niggas throw your hands up
I played the bench for a while but I'm back to the leather
Give a fuck how I played I'ma scorn the winners
Living with all the trimmings, blinging their cars and spendings
(Canibus)
See when the hardest fell, your armour melts through nigga
My 357 bigger than a fruit, nigga
Desert Eagle claws rip right through nigga
Aiyo Nottz, tell them what we came to do nigga
(Chorus)
(Canibus)
Yo, Canibus nigga, you know the name nigga
Credit still good, ain't no change nigga
We speak the same language I ain't gotta explain it
Talk to the stainless, I replied with a short statement
My reputation was predicted by the ancients
2000 BC they was saying the same shit
They tried to spar with him, he had black Marn' in him
A crystal bottle of venom
They was fucking around with him, I tried to tell them
These rhymes is poisonous boy you will die trembling
A hundred niggas in the back joking, yelling, "Bust them"
Go ahead Bis let the vampire van touch them
My fan base sit and wait for the coming
They couldn't 'Follow the Leader' long enough so I drugged them
Stunting in the wagon, Chrysler Hemi
These Rolls gold Remy's look bigger than twenties
The poor man's Bentley, come here let me talk to you Slimmy
I got Jam Master Canibus in me
And I'm nice with multies, sick with the simi's
When I'm on mic I'm friendly so what can you give me?
(Chorus)
The opening of Canibus's song 'Hip Hop' reflects his confidence and pride in his abilities as a rapper. He declares that the beats on his album are so hard that they sound like gunshots from within the chamber, and urges his listeners to throw their hands up in appreciation. He then contrasts the opulent lifestyle of successful rappers with the middling existence of those who are less successful, hinting that he has been on both sides of the divide. In the next verse, he shifts gears to address his prowess as a rapper, describing his weapon of choice (a 357) and urging his producer, Nottz, to get the beat going. The chorus emphasizes the importance of hip hop to Canibus's identity, declaring that it is his "job, my life, my passion, my shine."
The second verse finds Canibus reflecting on his place in the history of hip hop, suggesting that his reputation was prophesied by the ancients in 2000 BC, long before the art form was invented. He describes his skills as a rapper as a kind of venom that can destroy anyone who challenges him. He then boasts about his ability to attract and manipulate his fans, comparing himself to a vampire. The verse concludes with a reference to Run-DMC's classic track 'Follow the Leader,' which Canibus suggests his fans could not quite keep up with. In the third verse, Canibus elaborates on his opulent lifestyle, describing his car and the jewelry he wears. He hints that his influence as a rapper is on par with that of Jam Master Jay, the legendary DJ for Run-DMC. The song concludes with Canibus asking what others can give him, as he is already at the top of his game and seems unstoppable.
Line by Line Meaning
Aiyo Canibus, Nottz, hold up, stop!
Canibus and Nottz are stopping to make a point
Let me find out this album ain't the one to cop
Canibus is warning listeners to make sure they purchase his album
Beats bang like sounds of shots inside the chamber
The production on this album is intense and powerful
Real niggas throw your hands up
Authentic individuals should acknowledge the greatness of the album
I played the bench for a while but I'm back to the leather
Canibus has been inactive but he's returning in full force
Give a fuck how I played I'ma scorn the winners
Canibus doesn't care about his past performances and will still compete with the best
Living with all the trimmings, blinging their cars and spendings
Wealthy individuals flaunt their riches and success
Fucking dogs and the college women
Some individuals engage in promiscuous and illicit behavior
See when the hardest fell, your armour melts through nigga
Even the toughest people can be vulnerable and affected by hardships
My 357 bigger than a fruit, nigga
Canibus' gun is larger than expected and intimidating
Desert Eagle claws rip right through nigga
The Desert Eagle, a powerful gun, can easily defeat opponents
Aiyo Nottz, tell them what we came to do nigga
Canibus and Nottz have a specific purpose with this song
Yo, Canibus nigga, you know the name nigga
Canibus is introducing himself
Credit still good, ain't no change nigga
Canibus is still respected and trustworthy
We speak the same language I ain't gotta explain it
Those who appreciate hip-hop understand Canibus and his style
Talk to the stainless, I replied with a short statement
Canibus uses his gun to communicate and assert his authority
My reputation was predicted by the ancients
Canibus' talent and impact on hip-hop has been recognized for centuries
2000 BC they was saying the same shit
Hip-hop has always been influential and significant throughout history
They tried to spar with him, he had black Marn' in him
Canibus is an exceptional rapper and had an advantage over his competitors
A crystal bottle of venom
Canibus' rhymes are dangerous and venomous
They was fucking around with him, I tried to tell them
Canibus warned his opponents of his skills and talent
These rhymes is poisonous boy you will die trembling
Canibus' rhymes are deadly and leave a lasting impact
A hundred niggas in the back joking, yelling, "Bust them"
Canibus' competitors and peers want him to fail and lose
Go ahead Bis let the vampire van touch them
Canibus is fearless and will confront and defeat his competition
My fan base sit and wait for the coming
Canibus' fans are eager for his new music
They couldn't 'Follow the Leader' long enough so I drugged them
Canibus' competitors and peers couldn't keep up with him
Stunting in the wagon, Chrysler Hemi
Canibus is driving a luxurious car
These Rolls gold Remy's look bigger than twenties
Canibus' jewelry is flashy and expensive
The poor man's Bentley, come here let me talk to you Slimmy
Canibus' car is not a Bentley, but it's still impressive
I got Jam Master Canibus in me
Canibus has the spirit and influence of the legendary Jam Master Jay
And I'm nice with multies, sick with the simi's
Canibus is skilled with complex rhymes and deadly with his words
When I'm on mic I'm friendly so what can you give me?
Canibus is friendly and approachable until it's time to perform and compete
Contributed by Adam B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MrKnowdatruth
If you didn’t live in this era you will never understand how serious this battle was.
@robertadeyemi7825
Real talk bro, shit was 🔥
@urbannuance5151
Facts, this was during the PEAK of the DJ Clue mixtape era!
@glennlevell5261
Real talk bro 😎
@What-vo5bx
And yes. Mix TAPES. Gen z has only seen those in 80s movies, urban outfitters and goodwill 😂
@MamaEzi
Completely forgot about this. Senior year high school
@Magneticitist
Canibus and Tyson in a video is still one of the greatest things ever in music
@thisisanewusername4662
no doubt. two of the greatest.
@yaoblack3579
The way canibus constructed this song is damn near perfection. He really did what he said in the lyrics: studied L and then broke down his whole career strategy. GOAT diss record.
@thegreatest6125
I always thought cannabis won diss battle