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.
I Gotta Story To 2 Tell
Canibus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Listen to me everybody, I got a story to tell
Well, well
Ono wan make beef outta steam fish?
Tell ya artist keep my name out they mouth or you won't have no peace
Compared to Canibus ya pitbulls is poultry
You and Biggie made a dope team but I roast beans
My name ain't J to the Muahh, mann I got a flow that stings
Its rap music, you confuse it if you want to
I might still diss you just to see what you gon do
You must be gettin' insecure or something
I'm just admirien ya shit mann I ain't gon touch it
I been through alotta things in my life but I learned from it
Put yaself in my shoes, don't I deserve something?
The only difference between me and you is a BUDGIT
Don't make me have to go sign with Suge or something
Remember this: History repeats itself
Whenever that never ending hunger meets itself
Everybody want they wealth, peace and health
When I was fucked up you ain't give me a couple of G's to help, did you?
No, you waited fa my cheese to melt
You want all the hot beats and the streets to yourself
Well my (??) niggaz different enough to attract interest
From anybody in the rap business and I'ma get it cash or credit
Besides a little drama from my first 2 records
Rip the Jackers images is unblemished
Come on I wouldn't bite you I look at you like my dentist
I thought you was number one recommended, why you offended?
Hip hop ain't ya property, you ain't the only tenant
If I win the lottery you can't tell me how to spend it
You got something to say, don't put ya Henchmen in it
Them little monkey faced artist that you sign fa pennies
I refuse to serve them like Dennies
You know they rhymes is petty
Don't tell me that ya school of hard knocks turn preppy
None of y'all motha fuckers know me and you never met me
And if my name wasn't shit then you wouldn't sweat me
That's ubsurd right? Me gettin busy get on ya nerves right?
You really are listenin to the words right?
High when I wrote this but sober when I spoke it
Its not like I tried to promote it like Jay-o did, ya notice?
Mann I was never focused on you
I just spit hard on the mic cause my shit is hot too
I went out and bought ya album 2 times, I ain't hatin'
Next thing I know you talkin Jamaican like you a native
But you really violatin', you don't know what you sayin'
Canibus ain't in the game so you know he ain't playin
I had nothing before and I have nothing now
Fuckin' with a nigga with nothing only brings you down
{Girl Singing}
Listen to me everybody-rybody-rybody-rybody...
In "I Gotta Story To 2 Tell," Canibus tells a story about his experience in the rap industry and the drama that has ensued. The song begins with a girl singing that she has a story to tell, setting the stage for Canibus to share his perspective. He starts by warning other artists to keep his name out of their lyrics, otherwise, they will not have peace. He then goes on to compare himself to pitbulls, saying that they are nothing compared to him.
Canibus says that he might diss other artists just to see what they will do, but he is not actually going to touch them. He acknowledges that he has been through a lot but has learned from it. He also questions whether he deserves support from those who have not helped him in the past. Canibus asserts that he will get his success through either cash or credit and that his image is unblemished, unlike those who follow petty rhymes.
In the final verses, Canibus takes aim at other artists for claiming ownership over hip hop and cautions them about how they spend their money. He claims that his focus is not on other artists and he only spits hard on the mic because he knows his own music is hot. Canibus says he has bought albums from other artists before, but he feels like they violate him by talking about him in their songs. He concludes by saying that his career has been marked by having nothing, and that collaborating with someone who has nothing only brings others down.
Line by Line Meaning
Ono wan make beef outta steam fish?
Do you really want to start a conflict out of something small and insignificant?
Tell ya artist keep my name out they mouth or you won't have no peace
Instruct your artist to refrain from mentioning my name, or they will face the consequences.
Compared to Canibus ya pitbulls is poultry
Canibus is a superior and more threatening rapper than anyone in your crew.
You and Biggie made a dope team but I roast beans
You and Biggie were a great duo, but Canibus is capable of defeating you both.
Be careful how you approach things
Be mindful of your actions and words towards Canibus.
My name ain't J to the Muahh, mann I got a flow that stings
Don't mistake me for JAY-Z, I am Canibus and my rapping is impactful.
Its rap music, you confuse it if you want to
This is rap music, and if you misunderstand it, that's on you.
I might still diss you just to see what you gon do
Canibus might insult you just to test your reaction.
You must be gettin' insecure or something
You seem to be becoming uncertain of yourself.
I'm just admirien ya shit mann I ain't gon touch it
Canibus respects your music and won't interfere with it.
I been through alotta things in my life but I learned from it
Canibus has faced many challenges in his life but has grown from those experiences.
Put yaself in my shoes, don't I deserve something?
Consider Canibus's perspective, doesn't he deserve recognition?
The only difference between me and you is a BUDGIT
The only distinction between Canibus and his rivals is money.
Don't make me have to go sign with Suge or something
Don't push Canibus to sign with notorious record executive Suge Knight.
Remember this: History repeats itself
Keep in mind that events tend to repeat over time.
Whenever that never ending hunger meets itself
When one's unending ambition clashes with another's, conflict arises.
Everybody want they wealth, peace and health
All individuals desire financial stability, tranquility, and healthiness.
When I was fucked up you ain't give me a couple of G's to help, did you?
When Canibus was struggling, his rivals did not provide him with any financial support.
No, you waited fa my cheese to melt
Instead, they waited for Canibus to achieve success before attempting to take advantage of him.
You want all the hot beats and the streets to yourself
You aim to monopolize the best instrumentals and rap scenes.
Well my (??) niggaz different enough to attract interest
Canibus's unique and diverse group of associates piques people's curiosity.
From anybody in the rap business and I'ma get it cash or credit
Canibus will gain success and revenue through any means in the rap industry.
Besides a little drama from my first 2 records
Aside from minor controversies, Canibus's first two albums were successful.
Rip the Jackers images is unblemished
Canibus and his associates have a positive reputation in the game.
Come on I wouldn't bite you I look at you like my dentist
Canibus doesn't intend to harm, but rather observe and analyze his fellow rappers.
I thought you was number one recommended, why you offended?
Canibus believed that his rival respected and endorsed him, why are they angry now?
Hip hop ain't ya property, you ain't the only tenant
Hip hop culture doesn't belong solely to one person, you can't demand ownership of it.
If I win the lottery you can't tell me how to spend it
Even if Canibus becomes rich, no one can dictate how he chooses to use his wealth.
You got something to say, don't put ya Henchmen in it
If you have something to say, express it yourself instead of using your associates as mouthpieces.
Them little monkey faced artist that you sign fa pennies
The artists you recruit and pay poorly are unimpressive and weak.
I refuse to serve them like Dennies
Canibus refuses to collaborate with these subpar rappers.
You know they rhymes is petty
You're aware that their lyrics are unimpressive and lack substance.
Don't tell me that ya school of hard knocks turn preppy
Don't try to convince Canibus that your rough upbringing has made you soft.
None of y'all motha fuckers know me and you never met me
Canibus's rivals don't truly know him or have any personal connection to him.
And if my name wasn't shit then you wouldn't sweat me
If Canibus didn't matter or posed no threat, his rivals wouldn't feel the need to focus on him.
That's ubsurd right? Me gettin busy get on ya nerves right?
Is it ridiculous that Canibus's talent and success bother his rivals?
You really are listenin to the words right?
Pay attention to the lyrics and meaning of Canibus's music.
High when I wrote this but sober when I spoke it
Canibus was intoxicated while writing the lyrics, but sober when he recorded them.
Its not like I tried to promote it like Jay-o did, ya notice?
Unlike JAY-Z's promotional methods, Canibus didn't make a big deal about his song.
Mann I was never focused on you
Canibus had no specific target with this song.
I just spit hard on the mic cause my shit is hot too
Canibus raps confidently and passionately because he believes his music is high-quality.
I went out and bought ya album 2 times, I ain't hatin'
Canibus owns and respects his rival's music, he's not trying to undermine their success.
Next thing I know you talkin Jamaican like you a native
Canibus's rival attempts to impersonate Jamaican culture despite lacking any genuine connection to it.
But you really violatin', you don't know what you sayin'
Your cultural appropriation is disrespectful and uninformed.
Canibus ain't in the game so you know he ain't playin
Canibus is serious and not just messing around with his music career.
I had nothing before and I have nothing now
Canibus's success hasn't brought him personal wealth or material possessions.
Fuckin' with a nigga with nothing only brings you down
Targeting Canibus won't result in any benefit or success for his rivals.
Listen to me everybody-rybody-rybody-rybody...
Pay attention to Canibus's message and story through his music.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Colin Banfield
His vocabulary stems from his I.Q and experience working on some classified shit. 2nd round knockout and channel zero made me a fan. I got respect for em too, he is the best selling of all time. I wish they did tracks together instead of against. That would have been pure gold right there.
Ronald Honore
True Hollywood stories is about real life things that was going on in canibus life. I don't know why people hate this album, maybe they don't know what an artist is.
JM 3rd 410Mopars
classic !
Kalifornia Meezy
i love this cd yo bis looks like im your only fan
Fernando Leonard
This is when hip hop was a contact sport. ANYONE COULD GET IT!
Justice Will Rise
Dope
Fizzywhoamac Avenue
Jay-z Roca fella diss. Canibus didn't give a fuck took on Em and Jay on the same album. Canibus greatest rapper alive so underrated
God Son
I went out and bought yo album 2 times,i ain't hatin
Next thing i know u talkin Jamaican like u a native
But u really violatin,u don't know what u sayin
Canibus ain't in a game so u know he ain't playin
Joe Thomas
dang i think hes clowning jay-z XD
Victor
Damn all these songs are like each little Ethers lol