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.
U Didn't Care
Canibus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not even necessary to introduce who I am by now 'cause we're good friends
Remember the letter I wrote before Atlanta on "Up In Smoke"?
That's the day I was going to cut your throat
I guess my watch is broke, 'cause by the time I woke
I seen my watch was twelve hours late and I missed the show
But none the less I'm glad that I finally reached you
Ever since the accident I've been dying to speak to you
A different level of understanding, I'm a different Stan
Things are a lot better, I promise I won't harass you with any letters
Saying shit like we should be together
I meant we should start a group
The industry's full of homosexuals Slim, but I don't want to fuck you
I've got a new attitude, really, I'm ain't mad at you
I just wanted you to recognize that I've got talent too
When I say talented, I don't mean battle, kid
I mean story telling kind of like how your album is
I've been attending counselling and taking medicine
They did some tests on me at N.I.H. in Maryland
They showed me techniques to help me deal with pressure
Whenever I remember that crazy night when I was being reckless
Driving with a death-wish on the bridge
I crashed into a Lexus right before I finished that last sentence
I was listening to Xzibit's album "Restless"
The next thing I knew I was underwater and breathless
I was unconscious for a second literally dying to go to Heaven
Until some fellas came and pulled me from the wreckage
They started CPR then they called the paramedics
In retrospect I probably should have used a gun to end it
By the time the car had sunk my pregnant girlfriend was still in the trunk
And I was still feeling kind of drunk
The ambulance came and they put me on the stretcher
Hooked me up to the IV and checked my blood pressure
One of them was so concerned that they wouldn't leave
He hoped in the back of the ambulance and rolled up some weed
My vision was blurry I couldn't really see
I just remember his voice talking to me
In the emergency room, I needed surgery to get some glass removed
And fifty stitches for my wounds
After a couple of months of therapy
I figured I was as ready as I'd ever be, I wanted to be an MC
He took me to shows with him, he let me flow with him
He let me write some rhymes and go on tour with him
I really believed in him, I decided to team with him
And now I'm overseas with him, getting G's with him
And I'm emceeing with him, I'm having the best time of my life
And I'm writing the best rhymes of my life
He introduces me to people as his lyrical equal
Let me write a rhyme on his album and even produce a beat too
He ain't see through, I can't see him fronting
He's not the type to call you just because he needs something
That's what I like about him, I wouldn't want to rock a mic' without him
He's got cajones and he's not a coward
Matter of fact, I think he met you
It was the day you came to his video shoot with DJ, Jimmy's nephew
Clef stepped to him and told him he should step to you
That you was ghost-writing for 'L' but that wasn't true
You was looking at him the same way I'm looking at you
Why can't we be friends 'Em, I don't want nothing from you
You see, there's a little bit of Stan in all of us
Tell me where you think all of these record sales spawned from
Talking about Britney and Christina Aguilera
NSYNC too, have you ever looked in the mirror
Your hair ain't really blonde and your eyes ain't blue
So never diss me 'cause when you diss me you're dissing you
You see? You see what happens when you don't care?
The lyrics to Canibus's song U Didn't Care feature a letter written by his character to Eminem. The letter starts by acknowledging their "friendship" and Canibus's previous letter before the "Up In Smoke" tour where he expressed some violent desires towards Eminem. Canibus then explains that he has changed and has been attending counseling and taking medication to deal with his anger and depression. He tells Eminem that he meant to suggest they start a group, not to try and pursue a romantic relationship, and that he wants Eminem to recognize his talent. He then shares a personal story about a car accident he had where he was almost killed and his pregnant girlfriend was in the car. Canibus ends the letter by questioning why Eminem doesn't care and how that attitude leads to negative consequences like the one he experienced.
Throughout the lyrics, Canibus addresses issues such as mental health, violence, substance abuse, and the music industry. He mentions that homosexuality is prevalent in the industry and that he is not interested in pursuing that direction with Eminem. Canibus also highlights the importance of recognizing talent and not being dismissive of others. The personal story he shares about the car accident and his near-death experience adds a level of vulnerability and depth to the song. Canibus questions why Eminem doesn't care and insinuates that this attitude can lead to negative outcomes.
Overall, the lyrics to "U Didn't Care" are thought-provoking and address important topics that are often left unspoken in the music industry. Canibus explores mental health, personal growth, and the power of caring for oneself and others. The personal story he shares adds a level of depth to the song and helps the listener connect with him on a deeper level.
Line by Line Meaning
What up Em? It's your biggest fan
Greetings, Eminem. I am your biggest admirer.
It's not even necessary to introduce who I am by now 'cause we're good friends
There's no need for introductions, as we're good buddies by now.
Remember the letter I wrote before Atlanta on "Up In Smoke"?
Do you recall the letter I wrote to you before the Atlanta concert during the Up in Smoke Tour?
That's the day I was going to cut your throat
That was the day when I had planned to slit your throat.
I guess my watch is broke, 'cause by the time I woke I seen my watch was twelve hours late and I missed the show
I must've had a faulty timepiece, for when I awoke, I found out that it was twelve hours late and I missed your performance.
But none the less I'm glad that I finally reached you
Nevertheless, I'm glad that I'm finally able to communicate with you.
Ever since the accident I've been dying to speak to you
I've been longing to speak to you since the automobile accident I was in.
To tell you things have changed and I'm a different man
I wanted to inform you that I'm a changed person now.
A different level of understanding, I'm a different Stan
I have evolved intellectually and spiritually, and I am not the same obsessed fanatic that I was before.
Things are a lot better, I promise I won't harass you with any letters
I assure you that everything is more positive now, and I won't annoy you with any more letters.
Saying shit like we should be together
I won't make any inappropriate suggestions, such as us being romantically involved.
I meant we should start a group
What I really meant was that we should create a musical collaboration.
The industry's full of homosexuals Slim, but I don't want to fuck you
The music industry is saturated with homosexuality, but I am not propositioning you for sex.
I've got a new attitude, really, I'm ain't mad at you
I have a fresh perspective now, and I'm no longer angry at you.
I just wanted you to recognize that I've got talent too
I just wanted to receive recognition from you for my musical ability.
When I say talented, I don't mean battle, kid
By talented, I don't just mean skilled in rap battles.
I mean story telling kind of like how your album is
What I'm trying to say is that my storytelling ability is similar to your album's style.
I've been attending counselling and taking medicine
I've been attending therapy sessions and taking prescription medication.
They did some tests on me at N.I.H. in Maryland
I underwent some medical examination at the National Institutes of Health in Maryland.
They showed me techniques to help me deal with pressure
They instructed me on various techniques to cope with stress.
Whenever I remember that crazy night when I was being reckless
Whenever I reminisce about the unhinged night I had, extremely irresponsible and carefree.
Driving with a death-wish on the bridge
I was driving erratically with a death wish while crossing the bridge.
I crashed into a Lexus right before I finished that last sentence
I collided with a Lexus automobile immediately before I verbally ended my last sentence.
I was listening to Xzibit's album "Restless"
During the incident, I was playing Xzibit's album Restless.
The next thing I knew I was underwater and breathless
The next memory I have is being submerged in water and unable to breathe.
I was unconscious for a second literally dying to go to Heaven
I was unconscious for a brief moment and nearly resigned to dying and entering heaven.
Until some fellas came and pulled me from the wreckage
Fortunately, some guys retrieved me from the disastrous aftermath of the collision.
They started CPR then they called the paramedics
After administering cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, they promptly called the emergency medical services.
In retrospect I probably should have used a gun to end it
Upon reflection, I realize I should have used a firearm to end my life instead of endangering others.
By the time the car had sunk my pregnant girlfriend was still in the trunk
At the time the car sank, my pregnant partner was still confined in the trunk.
And I was still feeling kind of drunk
I was still under the influence of alcohol at that moment.
The ambulance came and they put me on the stretcher
An ambulance arrived and transported me on a stretcher.
Hooked me up to the IV and checked my blood pressure
They connected me to an intravenous line and took my blood pressure.
One of them was so concerned that they wouldn't leave
One of the medical personnel was extremely worried, and they wouldn't depart.
He hoped in the back of the ambulance and rolled up some weed
He then entered the back of the ambulance and began smoking marijuana.
My vision was blurry I couldn't really see
My vision was impaired, so I could barely see anything.
I just remember his voice talking to me
All I can recall is his voice conversing with me.
In the emergency room, I needed surgery to get some glass removed
When I was moved to the emergency room, I required a surgical operation to extract glass shards.
And fifty stitches for my wounds
Furthermore, my injuries necessitated fifty sutures.
After a couple of months of therapy
Following a few months of therapy sessions,
I figured I was as ready as I'd ever be, I wanted to be an MC
I concluded that I was fully prepared to pursue my dream of being a professional rapper.
He took me to shows with him, he let me flow with him
Eminem included me in his musical performances and allowed me to freestyle with him.
He let me write some rhymes and go on tour with him
He also permitted me to compose some lyrics and tour alongside him.
I really believed in him, I decided to team with him
I had complete faith in him, so I decided to become his collaborator.
And now I'm overseas with him, getting G's with him
Presently, I am traveling internationally and earning substantial money with him.
And I'm emceeing with him, I'm having the best time of my life
I am performing as an emcee alongside him, and I'm experiencing the most enjoyable period of my existence.
And I'm writing the best rhymes of my life
In addition, I am crafting the best rhymes of my career.
He introduces me to people as his lyrical equal
He gladly presents me to others as his creative equivalent.
Let me write a rhyme on his album and even produce a beat too
He enabled me to compose a verse for his album, and I even produced a beat for it as well.
He ain't see through, I can't see him fronting
He is transparent, and I cannot imagine him deceiving anyone.
He's not the type to call you just because he needs something
He is not the type of person to reach out only when he requires something from you.
That's what I like about him, I wouldn't want to rock a mic' without him
That's what I appreciate about him, and I wouldn't want to perform without him by my side.
He's got cajones and he's not a coward
He's courageous and not fearful in the slightest.
Matter of fact, I think he met you
In fact, I believe that he has met you before.
It was the day you came to his video shoot with DJ, Jimmy's nephew
I recall seeing you at his video shoot one day, with DJ Jimmy's nephew accompanying you.
Clef stepped to him and told him he should step to you
Wyclef Jean approached him and advised him to confront you directly.
That you was ghost-writing for 'L' but that wasn't true
He claimed that you were ghostwriting for Lauryn Hill, but that assertion was untrue.
You was looking at him the same way I'm looking at you
You appeared to be regarding him with the identical gaze that I'm currently giving you.
Why can't we be friends 'Em, I don't want nothing from you
Why can't we just be friends, Eminem? I do not have any ulterior motive.
You see, there's a little bit of Stan in all of us
Honestly, we all possess a small degree of fanaticism similar to my past obsession with you.
Tell me where you think all of these record sales spawned from
The reason for these enormous music sales is due to the enduring passion of fans, that are present in all of us.
Talking about Britney and Christina Aguilera
Just like how people discuss Britney and Christina Aguilera,
NSYNC too, have you ever looked in the mirror
People also talk about NSYNC. Here's a question, have you ever observed yourself in the mirror?
Your hair ain't really blonde and your eyes ain't blue
Your hair color isn't truly blonde, and your eyes are not blue.
So never diss me 'cause when you diss me you're dissing you
Consequently, please refrain from belittling me because when you criticize me, you're directing that same criticism towards yourself.
You see? You see what happens when you don't care?
Do you see now what occurs when someone dismisses or neglects the needs and feelings of another individual?
Contributed by Ethan N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@muhammadadil2242
[Hook]
You didn't care about me
And now this is how it has to be
I was lost, but now I am free
I'm happy 'cause I found a family
[Verse 1]
Whattup Em? It's ya biggest fan
It's not even necessary to introduce who I am by now, 'cause we're good friends
Remember the letter I wrote, before Atlanta on Up In Smoke
That's the day I was gonna cut ya throat
I guess my watch was broke -- ' cause by the time I woke
I seen my watch was twelve hours late and I missed the show
But nonetheless I'm glad that I finally reached you
Ever since the accident I've been dying to speak to you
To tell you things have changed, and I'm a different man
A different level of understanding, I'm a different Stan
Things are a lot better, I promise I won't harass you with any letters
Saying shit like "We should be together"
I may reach and start a group
The industry's full of homosexuals Slim, but I don't wanna fuck you
I got a new attitude, really, I ain't mad at you
I just wanted you to recognize I got talent too
[Hook]
[Verse 2]
When I say talented, I don't mean battle kid
I mean storytelling, kinda like how ya album is
I been attending counseling and taking medicine
They did some tests on me at NIH in Maryland
They showed me techniques to help me deal with pressure
Whenever I remember that crazy night when I was being reckless
Driving with a deathwish, on the bridge and I crashed into a Lexus
Right before I finished that last sentence
I was listenin to Xzibit's album "Restless"
The next thing I knew I was under water and breathless
I was unconscious for a second, literally dying to go to heaven
Till some fellas came and pulled me from the wreckage
They started CPR, then they called the paramedics
In retrospect I probably shoulda used a gun to end it
By the time the car sunk
My pregnant girlfriend was still in the trunk
And I was still feelin kinda drunk
The ambulance came and they put me on the stretcher
Hooked me up to the IV and checked my blood pressure
One of them was so concerned that they wouldn't leave
He hopped in the back of the ambulance and rolled up some weed
My vision was blurry, I couldn't really see
I just remember his voice talking to me
In the emergency room, I needed surgery to get some glass removed
And fifty stitches for my wounds
[Hook]
[Verse 3]
After a couple months of therapy
I figured I was as ready as I'd ever be - I wanted to be an emcee
He took me to shows wit him, he let me flow wit him
He let me write some rhymes and go on tour wit him
I really believed in him, I decided to team wit him
And now I'm overseas wit him, getting cheese wit him
And I'm emceeing wit him, I'm having the best time of my life
And I'm writing the best rhymes of my life
He introduces me to people as his lyrical equal
Let me write a rhyme on his album and even produce a beat too
He ain't see-through, I can't see him fronting
He's not the type to call you, just because he needs something
That's what I like about him
I wouldn't want to rock a mike without him
He's got kahunas and he's not a coward
Matta fact, I think he met you
It was the day you came to his video shoot with DJ, Jimmy's nephew
'Clef stepped to him and told him he should step to you
That you was ghost writing for L, but that wasn't true
You was looking at him the same way I'm looking at you
Why can't we be friends Em', I don't want nothing from you
You see there's a little bit of Stan in all of us
Tell me where you think all of these record sales sparred from
Talking 'bout Britney and Christina Aguilera
Nsync too, have you ever looked in a mirror?
Your hair ain't really blonde, and ya eyes ain't blue
So never diss me, cuz when you diss me you're dissin' you
So, see what happens when you don't care
[Hook]
@randyrichmondiii3415
That hook has been stuck in my head for months
@richardndzeku4867
Years....I didnt know it was a Canibus joint, till now
@thisisanewusername4662
funny that he had a hook here but doesn't on most of his tracks
@jordanbryant5035
As a grown man re listening this is easily a top battle rap. The fact he flipped the whole stan story at such an early time puts this in the Roxanne shonte realm top 5.
@DhDemonzInk
FACTS !!!!!!
@malikbatalov2637
@@DhDemonzInk Yall probably didnt know this but em made a follow up to the stan story
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8kI9lGDSvU
@godofwar6344
@@ranksofficial1485 No
Eminem made Stan because people were taking his violent lyrics literally and he made it to show what going down the road of an obsessed fan will do
@Weazla-
@@malikbatalov2637 ah yes because nobody listened to MMLP2, especially eminem fans who cared to search for this song
@dewaynedarmanie2375
WELL SAID
@vaultboy1340
Unlike Benzino. Canibus was actually talented. He's a hard MC to hate.