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.
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.
Indisible
Canibus Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Canibus:
"C" Section This is the C-Section, Ripping and repping the lyrical lege…
"Ya Teef Iz Yellow" YA TEEF IZ YELLOW YA TEEF IZ YELLOW YA TEEF IZ YELLOW YA…
100 Bars Yeah! That's the beat right there. I'm about to black…
100 Bars Version ) Yeah! That's the beat right there. I'm about to black…
2000 b.c Yo, my offense is a mixture of Mike and Muhammad Knock…
2nd Round K.O Yo Canibus man, what's up, man? I caught you on that…
33 3's (Intro, imitating the owl from the "Tootsie Pop" commercials…
702-386-5397 [Intro] Yea, yea Can-I-Bus, Mic Club (Nothin' to prove it'…
A Different Vibe In L.A [Chorus] Doop-doop da-da.. It's a whole different vibe when …
Air Strike [Canibus] You pushed D-12 to the side to sign Voltron 5 If…
Allied Meta-Forces [Canibus] Yo.. the shottie rip, perferrate the skin on top o…
Artifacts Freestyle If im hawking you it ain't because I respect you…
Atlanta (Canibus) I wake up in the morn', turn my PlayStation on J…
Back Wit' Heat (Canibus) Yeah The, the, the, the The rhyme weapon lege…
Back With Heat (Canibus) Yeah The, the, the, the the rhyme weapon legend…
Behind Enemy Rhymes Behind enemy rhymes, when the curriculum storms Behind enemy…
Benny Riley (Intro) DJ's, cuttin up beats and stuff like that and…
Bis Vs Rip [Rip] Yo, you fuckin' hate me, you fuckin' lock me in…
Blakmilc Want Freedom (Canibus) Hit the tune, shocked out, come but no further B…
Bonus Track I speak at frequencies dogs would have trouble hearing Canib…
Box Cutter (18 second car chase intro to start) (Canibus) Record in…
Breathe Freestyle (Canibus) Just blaze nigga What? You wanna battle wit…
Broke Ass Yo I done been from Jersey to Brooklyn Done been…
Buckingham Palace Verse 1: Yo Yo Aye Yo! I stand…
C Scrolls Yeah ayo, Listen to the horns play, I get busy all day, I…
C Section This is the C-Section, Ripping and repping the lyrical lege…
C-Quel "I'll battle you on the net, I'll battle you in…
Canibus Yo, my offense is a mixture of Mike and Muhammad Knock…
Canibus Freestyle (Mr. Canibus won't you funk it up for a while) [Canibus] Yo,…
Canibus Man (Canibus) Yo, yo, let me explain something so that you unde…
Cenoir Studies 02 [Canibus] Yo the artists come and go, so does the show So…
Channel Zero Ayo, yea niggas I'm talkin to all y'all hard rock niggas Let…
Channel Zero ) Ayo, yea niggas I'm talkin to all y'all hard rock niggas L…
Chaos [Verse 1] Yo yo yo Now ain't nobody fuckin wit the…
Cingularity Point The "C" of Tranquility, what will it really be? What does…
Collecting Taxes (Canibus) What? You wanna battle with a Jesus piece, you…
CPTN Cold Crush Tranquility to infinity (Yeah) Tranquility to infinity Cani…
Curriculum 101 (Intro: sample) Claims are being made That for me go far…
Cypher of Steel [K-Rino] I'll give you one clue to guess what my rap…
Cypher With Self (Canibus) People ask me what is Lyrical Law, in its most…
Da Facelift [Canibus] You want a facelift? This what it take 'Bis A beat…
Da Paycut (Canibus) Yeah, Mic Club Aiyyo we got off to a…
Da' Facelift (Canibus) "You wanna face lift? This is what it takes 'Bis…
Dead By Design Professor Griff: Canibus Throwing melanated molotov cock…
Dear Academy (Sampled song "The Awful Truth" by Carole King) Dear Acade…
Desperados You ever dance with the Devil Under the pale moonlight? Desp…
Die Slow Yo (Die slow) Yeah (Die slow) Ya niggas better (Die slow) Uh…
Doomesday News Yo, yo.. If I had half as many bars in gold as…
Dr C PHD (Canibus) Doctor โC'... Yo, I plan to build myself a fac…
Draft Me [Intro: female news reporter] Also the, hearing from the d…
Drama A T [Canibus] Executive Order 11002 The reason you know me but I…
Dreamzzzzz [Chorus: x4] "Dreamzzzzz" of fuckin' a female news anchor …
Escape to Victory [Canibus] Damn I'm in Nottingham, I can't believe it I cam…
Fait Accompli Type on keyboard blind, sign in, everybody say, "Hi" Iโฒm the…
Falster Ego (Bis) Yo Rip, come here man, lemme talk to you…
Father Author Poor Pauper [Intro:] Yea, "Father Author, Poor Pauper", Yea (More than a…
For Whom The Beat Tolls [Casting spell] [Canibus:] Yo, my hands are dirty 'cause…
Fraternity Of The Impoverished Fraternity of the Impoverished Knowledge this, knowledge thi…
Free Words Yo, Canibus the continuous, deciduous lyricist A menace to…
Freestyle (Mr. Canibus won't you funk it up for a while) [Canibus] Yo,…
Full Battle Rattle (Canibus) "You wanna face lift? This is what it takes 'Bis…
Get Off Ya Knees (Hook) Get Off Ya Knees! Change your style cause its…
Get Retarded "I-I-I, want, to" "G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-Get retarded" "G-G-G-G-G-…
Get Retarded ) "I-I-I, want, to" "G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-Get retarded" "G-G-G-G-…
Give It More (Verse One) I got this beat from Riggs, yeah I…
Golden Terra Of Rap I take it back, back to the Golden Era of…
Gone In 60 Seconds (Canibus) You got less than a minute left to recognize…
Gone Till November Every time I make a run, girl, you turn around…
Good Equals Evil A man pays dues, do this become an angel Good and…
Got Bitches Got bitches? Yeah Where can I get them? Right over here my…
Gotta Get That Doe! Yo whattup Pakman (Aiyo whattup Bis, I'm waiting for the Ri…
Group Home Family Song: Group Home Family Featured Artists: Lost Boyz Album:…
Group Home Family (feat. Lost Boyz) Song: Group Home Family Featured Artists: Lost Boyz Album: …
Gybaotic (Canibus) Yo I done been from Jersey to Brooklyn Done bee…
Harbinger Of Light [Intro:] Yea, the life of the world Let me share somethin'…
Here 4 Free (Female #1) Girl! Look over there...is that Canibus? (…
Hip Hop (Canibus) Aiyo Canibus, Nottz, hold up, stop! Let me find …
Hip-Hop Body Rock (Chorus x2: Canibus) Hip Hop, do that body rock Jam on…
honor Chorus: (Sung by a woman) We'll never part (through) sickn…
Horsemen Yo, yo, the sheer fuckin' assemblin' of these fo' niggas…
Horsementality [Ras] The beginnin' of the end niggaz! [Can] Yeah, we goin'…
Hott Tonight [female] Oh Germaine, can you please tell me one of your Hol…
How Come Yo As the universe expands I contemplate whether it was…
How We Roll [Canibus] I never freestyle for free, without chargin nigg…
HRSMN Talk You don't have a broad enough bandwith to understand Bis Li…
Hype-nitis [1st man] Yo, wa**up, wa**up son? [2nd man] Y'all ready? Y'…
Hype-Nitis ) [1st man] Yo, wassup, wassup son? [2nd man] Ya'll ready? …
I Chorus: (Sung by a woman) We'll never part (through) sic…
I Can U Can't Yo, my offense is a mixture of Mike and Muhammad Knock…
I Can U Cant (Canibus) Can-I-Bus, ripping them Forty-four curriculum s…
I Gotcha' (Intro) I gotcha! Uh-huh, huh! You thought I didn't see ya…
I Gotta Story To 2 Tell {Girl Singing} Listen to me everybody, I got a story to…
I Honor U Chorus: (Sung by a woman) We'll never part (through) sic…
In the Rain (Hook x2) Drivin' all night through the rain Tryin' to…
Industry Lifestyle (Canibus) Yo Nominated for being underrated We made a n…
Intro ) Ha ha ha ha Enter the Miclub this is where it…
Intro The Brainstream I'm a University professor and so... haha I'm always a Univ…
It's Logic (canibus - chorus) Yo...yo...you can lick shots in the cl…
It's No Other Than [Intro: Canibus] It's no other than It's no other than …
It's No Other Than.. No other than canibus on the mic it gotta be the…
Javelin Fangz [Sample:] "For this reason to have this Key They some how …
Kill The Conjecture (Canibus) Yeah, let's go... yo Aiyyo I put it to…
Kriminal Kindness [Canibus] Yo, I've been dealing with hate since 1998 I pu…
Last Laugh Ha ha ha ha ha Check out the bizarre style that…
Layered Prayers [Canibus:] Yea, ayo Mother Earth absorbs the blood I bleed …
Lean Back Freestyle [Intro: Canibus] Yeah! New York City You are now rocking …
Lemmie Hear Sumthin Else [Chorus] Aiyyo my wrist stay froze (Lemme hear somethin else…
Let Verse 1: Canibus Yo yo If you just listen…
Liberal Arts [Voice-Over] Once more, it has been done That in order to sa…
Life Liquid Blood spillin' in the streets, the what? Blood spillin' in t…
Liquid Wordz (feat. Killah Priest and Sun) [Sample:] It's very diffic…
Lost At C [Verse 1] Yo, yo, yo, now when you see that…
Lunar Deluge Lets see if you can follow this rhyme Follow this rhyme…
Luv U 2 (Chorus) There's a reason why you keep calling my name out…
Lyrical Noir [Intro: Canibus] Lyrical Noir This is Lyrical Law Say it …
Magnum Innominandum [Chorus:] Suivre Moi, come vibe with ya boy With lyrics th…
Master Thesis [Canibus] This is the master thesis underneath the deepness …
Melatonin Magik [Professor Griff] Uhh, yeah Professor Griff, Public Enemy …
Merchant Of Metaphors I need a jet stream pattern assessment, go get annotate…
Mic Club Intro Ha ha ha ha Enter the Miclub this is where it…
Mic Club Mascot (Canibus) Yeah, just one of those moments where a nigga…
Mic Club Outro Mic club x4 this is a favorite short sayin of mine Two…
mic-nificent Canibus] Yo, sittin on chrome, sittin on low pro 20 inch…
Microphone Meticulousness (Canibus) Y'all done fucked up now Oh boy, it's the Brain…
Mind Control (Chorus: Female singing) You're under my, you're under min…
Money [Canibus] Allow me to introduce myself Peace, good to meet y…
My Home Atlanta It's that crunk crew, it's that crunk crew Blackened broth…
Nigganometry N-N-N... N-I-G-G-A-nometry N-I-G-G-A-nometry N-I-G-G-A-…
Niggonometry Intro (scratching) N-n-n-... etc. Chorus N-i-g-g-a-nometr…
Niggonometry ) Intro (scratching) N-n-n-... etc. Chorus N-i-g-g-a…
No Airplay (Wyclef) Yo the Brooklyn Bridge is gonna collapse y'know? …
Nobody (Canibus) You know this rap game is a lot like high…
Not 4 Play (Chorus: Kurupt & Canibus) Dont play them games, not for pl…
One Ought Not To Think [Canibus:] This one is relatively short; I won't say much a…
Only Slaves D.R.E.A.M Do you think that the powers that be Are goin' to…
Only Slaves D.R.E.A.M. [Canibus] Do you think that the powers that be Are goin' t…
Outro Mic club x4 this is a favorite short sayin of mine Two…
Patriots [Featuring Free] Canibus: I make your bitch crew shit st…
Patriots ) [Featuring Free] Canibus: I make your bitch crew shi…
Pay Me In Gold Finance yo' fine ass, they cherry pick off the street They…
Phuk U Phuk..U (4x) Ok Phuk..U (4x) (Verse 1) Yo, yo Ayo, nobody c…
Pine Comb Poem The "C" of Tranquility Canibus spit for infinity I revolve…
Poet Laureate Yo, Houston to Earth Watch the ripper crucify you with verse…
Poet Laureate II [Intro - James Dickey sample] Uhh... I don't understand how…
Poet Laureate Infinity V003 [Sample:] "Cycles of time…
Poet Laureate Infinity V004 [Sample:] "And this is where the, the uh complexity comes i…
Post Traumatic Warlab Stress I'm the black mutant of rap music, half human half…
Psych Evaluation Yo Some say the pen overpowers the sword The video camera …
Punch Lines (Hamza) Canibus, Hamza! Follow us into a new era Where ly…
R U Lyrically Fit? (Canibus) Get ready for the Luminati tsunami (Lou) C4ย ?…
Real Hip Hop Freestyle (Canibus) Yeah, let's go Yo, yo I put it to you…
Right Now This is a new season with new rhymes for the…
Rip Is Alive Oh no! He's alive! Rip the Jacker! Master! Please help…
Rip Rock Verse 1: Jump up and down if you love the…
Rip Rock ) Verse 1: Jump up and down if you love the…
RIP vs. Poet Laureate [Intro: 'Gladiator' sample] You have proved your valor yet …
Ripperland [Psalm One] They told me I'm few and far between like…
RipRock Verse 1: Jump up and down if you love the…
Salute The war drums sound like a hundred guns fired at…
Say It Ain't So (Canibus) Oh my motherfucking God! Say it ain't so Jes…
Second Round K.O Yo Canibus man, what's up, man? I caught you on that…
Secrets Amongst Cosmonauts *Spanish speaking soldiers* "They have different videos t…
and many more tracks by Canibus.
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uck
[Verse 1: Canibus]
I transmit images over the distance
Using the inflation premise of 10 to the minus 32 seconds
Back to the Canibus era, my eponym is apparent
Those who hear my efforts gotta give me the merit
Off lyrics alone I'm a legend
But I can't take credit, the English language was not my invention
It's the way I put it together, the incorrect English editor
Can't nobody ever do it better
People forget but the history will remember
I plead guilty to the charge and accepted the sentence
Let the records show I resisted under the pressure
My short but precise endeavor to raise the measure
[Hook]
[Verse 2: Canibus]
Hip-hop forever, that's what I see when I look in the mirror
Regardless of whether I'm not a bestseller
I'm a first class spitter, the literal literature ripper
Painting pictures for intelligent listeners
From any and all dispositions
The fusion of what's written creates a fission called Canibusism
The intellectual division of science and religion
People waste their momentum trying to defend it
All I do it put it to ink then put it to print
See what you think, maybe I should speak to a shrink
I could fix the way they look at the world
They read all these books in a barrel but they can't think for themselves
Self-contained, I'm all balls, belts and brains
Must be strong cause no one ever help Germaine
[Hook]
[Verse 3: Canibus]
Observe the whole world's pain and tell me you ain't tired of prayin'
The Catholic faith will never be the same
You could be put in chains 'cause you got a Muslim name
Sent to Guantรกnamo Bay and tortured for days
Man, I'd rather buy some land and grow an orchard of grapes
Drink vegetable juice, stay away from steaks and shakes and snakes
These rats in the corporation's is fake
Nobody ever gives you what they didn't already take
Invest and wait, you'll be broke till you break
Man you learn to pick a lock you wanna open a gate
I mimic haters like flight simulators at air bases
Recovered from an inverted spin, now I'm famous
Those who respond to Rip the Jacker with hate
Show poor taste and only exacerbate their fate
MicClub.net, get it right motherfucker
Get it right, get a mic
Stephen Donatelli
Canibus is a Great LYRICIST for sure.
Ronnie Raymond
You need ten times the enzymes to process one of his rhymes
Official Lex Montero
1st Class Spitter, the literal literature ripper, painting pictures for intelligent listeners.''
Ryu Hayabusa
@The Art Tower got damn
The Art Tower
From any and all dispositions, the fussion of what's written creates a fiction called Canibus'cism!
javi world peace
๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฅ
Gabriel Cรฉsar
That "Literal literature ripper" Was INSANE!!
Kay Rams
This is pure hip hop rap talent. No cars, no bit***, no money mention. Plus Stoep beat makes him sound calm and hard at the same time. He writes as if he is writing literature for HipHop Library. He should be embodied just like the English embodied Shakespeare into their literature
TheMijo11
you just heard of Canibus??? you have alot of catching up to do!!!!
Ronnie Raymond
@Devin Barcelona Same here. I stayed away from him because of Em mentioning him on tracks like โRole Modelโ and โSquare Danceโ and thought โlol canibus must suckโ, but this guy single-handedly got me out of the Eminem bubble.