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.
In the rain
Canibus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Drivin' all night through the rain
Tryin' to escape the pain
I can't get away
With the way I drive will I make it home alive?
How will I survive?
Cereal killer, slasher, Rip the Jacker
Think about it, how am I supposed to feel?
If you ain't have a record deal, how would you feel?
In a world where it seems like you're all alone
Like my name didn't help the rap market grow
Like I'm hardly gold, like I ain't got a remarkable flow
When I deserved to die old and broke
I'd rather have an overdose doin' coke or dope or both
Gettin' bathed in a bathhouse by Dorothy Dandrich
Hailey Berry and Jennifer Lo, bending over for soap
What a way to go
A friend of mine told me that I know a lot of nothing
I looked him in the eyes and said at least I know something
I know I've been driving all night through the rain
And I'm lookin' for a sunny day
I wanna run away
(Hook x2)
I be the first one to tell you I'm an ill emcee
But I'm a human being and if you prick me, I bleed
I might bleed internally, but it's still hurting me
Can-i-bus is not what he deserves to be
I just wanna rhyme, I don't wanna beef wit you
But if you bite me, I'ma put my teeth in you
I want the whole world to say, "Canibus, I believe in you"
The same way, my man, Ricky Lee would do
Don't sterotype us, we freedom fighters
We drive all night through the rain wit' no wippers
I paid that price a couple of times
And when I'm on the mic, I spit double the rhymes
I ain't scared of the competition
But I want you to listen to me even when I'm not rippin'
I hope you never have to feel my pain
I hope you never have to drive all night through the rain
(Hook x2)
Will somebody please tell me, what does it take?
I been on promotional tours, from state-to-state
I've done a 100 Bars on mixtape
People recognize the face, but the sales don't equate
I guess I'll plead guilty if
Rippin' a rhyme is a crime
Cause I'ma get mine or die tryin'
I'm verbally inclined to shine
I spin like a turnbine and blow the rain clouds out the sky
I drive through the rain til the roads get dry
Bonafide Gladiator that was born to ride
You could never put a price on my pride
If I have to, I'll swim against the tide til my arms get tired
But I won't disappear and I will not be quiet
Or get pushed to the side, I will not be denied
Keep my eyes and ignore the pain
No matter how long I gotta drive through the rain
With the way I drive, will I make it home alive?
The song "In the Rain" by Canibus is a reflective piece in which the rapper expresses his pain and frustration. The hook, "Drivin' all night through the rain, Tryin' to escape the pain, I can't get away, With the way I drive will I make it home alive? How will I survive?" sets the tone for the song. Canibus talks about being a skilled rapper and yet not achieving the success he deserves. He is frustrated that his name hasn't helped the rap market grow, that he's not as successful as he should be, and that he's not getting the recognition he deserves. He hopes that people will listen to him and believe in him, and that he won't have to drive through the rain forever.
In the second verse, Canibus takes on his critics, saying that he's an ill emcee but also a human being who bleeds. He wants the world to believe in him and not stereotype him as a rapper who only beefs with others. He also talks about the struggles of being on tour and how recognition doesn't always translate into sales. He pledges to keep going and not be quiet or be pushed aside in his quest for success.
Overall, "In the Rain" is a song about perseverance in the face of obstacles. Canibus talks about his struggles and frustrations, but also his determination to keep going despite them. The rain serves as a metaphor for the obstacles he faces, but he won't let it derail him or dampen his spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
With the way I drive, will I make it home alive?
Canibus is worried about his safety while driving through the rain due to his driving style.
Cereal killer, slasher, Rip the Jacker
Canibus is a talented rapper with a dark persona inspired by horror movies, and he also goes by the name Rip the Jacker.
Been on America's Most and still can't be captured
Canibus has made numerous appearances on TV shows and is still highly regarded in the rap community.
Think about it, how am I supposed to feel?
Canibus is questioning how he should feel in a world where he's not as successful as he thinks he deserves to be.
If you ain't have a record deal, how would you feel?
Canibus asks the listener how they would feel if they were in his position, without a record deal in the highly competitive music industry.
In a world where it seems like you're all alone
Canibus feels isolated and alone in the rap world, despite his talent and past success.
Like my name didn't help the rap market grow
Canibus feels that his name and contributions to the rap industry have been overlooked or undervalued.
I know I've been driving all night through the rain
Canibus is acknowledging the fact that he has been driving through the rain for a long time.
And I'm lookin' for a sunny day
Canibus is searching for a brighter, happier future amidst the struggles he's currently facing.
I be the first one to tell you I'm an ill emcee
Canibus knows he's a skilled rapper and isn't afraid to boast about his talent.
I might bleed internally, but it's still hurting me
Even though Canibus may be hurting internally, the pain he feels is still real and affects him greatly.
Can-i-bus is not what he deserves to be
Canibus feels that he deserves more recognition and success than he's currently achieving.
But if you bite me, I'ma put my teeth in you
Canibus won't back down from a challenge and will fiercely defend himself in a rap battle.
We drive all night through the rain wit' no wippers
Canibus has faced numerous challenges and obstacles in his career, comparable to driving through the rain without windshield wipers.
I hope you never have to feel my pain
Canibus wishes that no one else has to endure the pain and hardships he's experienced in his life and career.
I've done a 100 Bars on mixtape
Canibus has recorded a mixtape with a hundred bars, showcasing his lyrical talents.
People recognize the face, but the sales don't equate
Despite being a recognizable figure in the rap industry, Canibus hasn't achieved the level of commercial success he desires.
I'ma get mine or die tryin'
Canibus won't stop until he's achieved his goals, even if it means risking his life in the process.
Bonafide Gladiator that was born to ride
Canibus sees himself as a warrior who was born to fight and overcome obstacles.
Keep my eyes and ignore the pain
Canibus will persevere through the hardships and ignore any pain or discomfort he may feel along the way.
No matter how long I gotta drive through the rain
Canibus will keep going and pushing forward, even if it means driving through the metaphorical rain for an extended period of time.
Contributed by Adalyn P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.