For a while, the group was rumored to have disbanded. In 2003 however, fellow Definitive Jux rapper MURS said, "By the way, Can Ox is not broken up, it's just a rumor" between tracks on fellow Definitive Jux rapper Aesop Rock's album Bazooka Tooth. November 2005 brought the release of a live album, Return of the Ox: Live at CMJ, in the liner notes of which is the statement "Look out for the new full length LP by Cannibal Ox Summer of 06."
In addition to El-P, legendary producers Pete Rock and The RZA have reportedly signed on to contribute to the project. DJ Mighty Mi, who collaborated with Vast Aire in 2005, would be a likely producer as well.
Cannibal Ox is once again reportedly broken up for good, however; as of 2008 El-P commented that the two emcee's from the group have been unable to put anything together either in music or in their personal lives. Both artists have been pursuing successful solo careers, with two albums each under their respective belts.
Vein
Cannibal Ox Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pop goes the flow of the weasel
Strapped with an Ox full of diesel
Trapped in the desert with eagles
Thoughts of ghetto acapellas in cathedrals
Spilling heavy gospels with cheaters
Twisted up, high off the reefer
Lost beyond regions of logic and reason, just being
Lost in this ghetto population
I'm just another face that's facing all types of, like
Stereotypes and hatred
But I ain't going to whet that and get all stressed out
I'm just trying to make it and strive with my...
Hellbent
Hell went through changes, emotions, inner thoughts and rages
Relieved and released on pages
My life in its cycle and stages
Seen through descriptions in nature
Ever since back in the days when niggaz was loving and hating
Everyone trapped and two thou caught The Matrix
With diseases of judgement that breed through the hatred
Conceived through these scenes and then painted
Now what really defines the line of a hater
And what defines the line of someone even greater
And what makes somebody jump that line trying to take it
Wrapped behind enemy lines trying to make it
Mind in another universe while my physical's stuck on the earth
In these inner city mazes
[Vast Aire]
Yo (11x)
Lay that shit down
What is you, a clown?
You want to see a little kid get shot?
Give me two good reasons so I don't smack you
For flashing a gun in my face just to get some respect
All in all, it's all love and I'm here to protect
You only twelve years old, someone'll snap your neck
You let your pants sag, but your thoughts gotta pull up
Mental calisthenics, lazer brains can't push up
Or even sit up to fight for what they believe in
He thought about it
I said, "Peace, keep breathing."
I see him mumbling, shrugging his shoulder
He probably cursing, but he know better
He had a beretta with the rubbed off serial digit
And I know he got it from Carlos The Midget
The only cat I know cold enough to hustle shit to kids
Been in this three man team forming eight arm squid
And they laugh in the face of
Any possibilities of being through and dead
We're all from the same ghettos
And these are the same hollow tips that knock nearly out of stilettos
He cocked first, I cocked second
And in that exact second both of the gats burst
"Man, this is your last fucking chance."
"Fuck you, this is your last chance."
[Vordul]
Live and orchestrated
From blocks where animals grew up as four lazers
We twist mad sabres
Rock the sky pimping jays all day blazes
Wrapped in these inner city mazes
Relaxing on corners where cats stay wasted
Choking on 4-0 basics, you taste it
My life's an oasis, this trife's what I make it
Straight through these days spitting raps that laced it
I'm just trying to blaze these mics on the stages
Write on these pages like life as a scene, in amazement
Like, "Ima stay blazing mics until I'm fading
Off of this surface to return to my nature"
In the meantime, spit flows and cop acres
Put my fam in it with shelter that spaces
Everyday life, yo, is rap in these mazes
I'm just trying to make it
The O-E slowly dissolves in my belly, got me aching
Niggaz up the block, yo I swear, trying to take it
But I'ma stay patient, watching every move made in the jungle
It's live trying to strive in this struggle
New York state of mind, that's the home that I come to
Nothing but pigeons living, trapped in this system
Bleeding, screaming...phoenix
We needed that scrap for that meaning to stay shining
Trying to escape out of hellfires and lakes
Brain on another plane gliding through acid rain
That's stress trying to master pain
Spit words, not to hurt, but to bash your brain
That's the worth of an MC wrapped in the vein
New York
The lyrics of the song Vein by the Cannibal Ox is a reflection of the struggles of life in inner cities. The song is a compilation of two different verses by Vast Aire and Vordul, respectively. The verses highlight the lives and experiences of people living in the ghetto. The first verse by Vordul talks about how he can escape society's laws and limitations and find solace in acapella performances. The verse also mentions the challenges that come with being a face in the ghetto, dealing with stereotypes and hatred. Vast Aire's verse talks about a conversation between him and a 12-year-old who wants respect and would go to any length to earn it, including flashing guns. Vast Aire tries to talk the young boy out of that mindset by making him see reason and understand the consequences of his actions.
The chorus, "Lay that shit down. What is you, a clown?" is a call to drop the weapons and not be foolish. The lyrics unravel themselves as a vivid description of life on the streets, where everyone is living in constant danger. The song demonstrates how society is full of judgment and hate, leading to traps and inner-city mazes. The lyrics speak of the debilitating effects of living in a community defined by drugs, hatred, and violence. The overall tone of the song is one of pain, hopelessness, and survival.
Line by Line Meaning
Pop goes the flow of the weasel
The flow of our music is explosive and captivating
Strapped with an Ox full of diesel
We are equipped and ready to perform at our best
Trapped in the desert with eagles
We are stuck in a hostile environment with potential predators
Thoughts of ghetto acapellas in cathedrals
Our music is a beautiful mix of urban and classical influences
Spilling heavy gospels with cheaters
We are sharing important messages with those who may not always be honest
Twisted up, high off the reefer
We are under the influence, but still creative and focused
Lost beyond regions of logic and reason, just being
Our minds are open and free, not bound by conventional thinking
We high so be not so obedient to society's laws and limitations
Our altered state of mind allows us to see beyond societal constraints
Lost in this ghetto population
We feel lost and disconnected in our urban environment
I'm just another face that's facing all types of, like well… Stereotypes and hatred
We are constantly subjected to negative stereotypes and discrimination
But I ain't going to whet that and get all stressed out
We won't let it get to us
I'm just trying to make it and strive with my...
We are working hard towards success
Hell went through changes, emotions, inner thoughts and rages
We have experienced difficult times and emotions
Relieved and released on pages
Our music is a way for us to express ourselves and find catharsis
My life in its cycle and stages
We are constantly evolving and changing
Seen through descriptions in nature
We view our experiences through a poetic lens
Everyone trapped and two thou caught The Matrix
We feel trapped in a system like that depicted in the film 'The Matrix'
With diseases of judgement that breed through the hatred
Discrimination and hatred lead to harmful attitudes and behavior
Conceived through these scenes and then painted
Our music is inspired by our real-life experiences and surroundings
What is you, a clown?
Are you joking? What are you trying to prove?
You want to see a little kid get shot?
Are you willing to put someone else's life at risk?
Give me two good reasons so I don't smack you
Explain yourself or face consequences
All in all, it's all love and I'm here to protect
Ultimately, we want to look out for each other
You only twelve years old, someone'll snap your neck
You're not tough enough to handle the dangers of the street
You let your pants sag, but your thoughts gotta pull up
Your outward appearance doesn't match with what you stand for
He thought about it
He took a moment to reflect on what was said
I said, "Peace, keep breathing."
I urged him to stay calm and not get into trouble
He probably cursing, but he know better
He might be angry, but he understands the situation
He had a beretta with the rubbed off serial digit
He possessed an illegal firearm
And these are the same hollow tips that knock nearly out of stilettos
These bullets could take down anyone, regardless of their status or possessions
Brain on another plane gliding through acid rain
Our minds are transcendent and creative, even in difficult situations
Spit words, not to hurt, but to bash your brain
We use our music to challenge and inspire, not to cause harm
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Karl DeRavin
[Verse 1: Vordul]
Pop goes the flow of the weasel
Strapped with an Ox full of diesel
Trapped in the desert with eagles
Thoughts of ghetto acapellas in cathedrals
Spilling heavy gospels with cheaters
Twisted up, high off the reefer
Lost beyond regions of logic and reason, just being
We high so be not so obedient to society's laws and limitations
Lost in this ghetto population
I'm just another face that's facing all types of, like
Stereotypes and hatred
But I ain't going to whet that and get all stressed out
I'm just trying to make it and strive with my own
Hellbent
Hell went through changes, emotions, inner thoughts and rages
Relieved and released on pages
My life in its cycle of stages
Seen through descriptions in nature
Ever since back in the days when niggas was loving and hating
Everyone trapped and two thou caught The Matrix
With diseases of judgement that breed through the hatred
Conceived through these scenes and then painted
Now what really defines the line of a hater
And what defines the line of someone even greater
And what makes somebody jump that line trying to take it
Wrapped behind enemy lines trying to make it
Mind in another universe while my physical's stuck on the earth
In these inner city mazes
[Vast Aire]
Yo (11x)
Lay that shit down
What is you, a clown?
You wanna see a little kid get shot?
Give me two good reasons so I don't smack you
For flashing a gun in my face just to get some respect
All in all, it's all love and I'm here to protect
You only twelve years old, someone'll snap your neck
You let your pants sag, but your thoughts gotta pull up
Mental calisthenics, raisin brains can't push up
Or even sit up to fight for what they believe in
He thought about it
I said, "Peace, keep breathing."
I see him mumbling, shrugging his shoulder
He probably cursing, but he know better
He had a beretta with the rubbed off serial digit
And I know he got it from Carlos The Midget
The only cat I know cold enough to hustle shit to kids
Him and his three-man team form an eight arm squid
And they laugh in the face of
Any possibilities of them doing bids
We're all from the same ghettos
And these are the same hollow tips that knock milly out of stilettos
He cocked first, I cocked second
And in that exact second both of the gats burst
"Man, this is your last fucking chance."
"Fuck you, this is your last chance."
[Vordul]
Live and orchestrated
From blocks where animals grew up to sport lazers
We twist mad sages
Rock the sky pimping jays all day blazes
Wrapped in these inner city mazes
Relaxing on corners where cats stay wasted
Choking on 4-0 basics, you taste it?
My life's an oasis, this trife's what I make it
Straight through these days spitting raps that laced it
I'm just trying to blaze these mics on the stages
Write on these pages like life as a scene, in amazement
Like, "Ima stay blazing mics until I'm fading
Off of this earth to return to my nature"
In the meantime, spit flows and cop acres
Put my fam in it with shelter that spacious
Everyday life, yo, is rap in these mazes
I'm just trying to make it
The O-E slowly dissolves in my belly, got me aching
Niggas up the block, yo I swear, trying to take it
But I'mma stay patient, watching every move made in the jungle
It's live trying to strive in this struggle
New York state of mind, that's the home that I come to
Nothing but pigeons living, trapped in this system
Bleeding, screaming...phoenix
We need it, thats raps with a meaning stay shining
Trying to escape out of hellfires and lakes
Brain on another plane gliding through acid rain
That's stress trying to master pain
Spit words, not to hurt, but to bash your brain
That's the worth of an MC wrapped in the vein
New York
Karl DeRavin
[Verse 1: Vordul]
Pop goes the flow of the weasel
Strapped with an Ox full of diesel
Trapped in the desert with eagles
Thoughts of ghetto acapellas in cathedrals
Spilling heavy gospels with cheaters
Twisted up, high off the reefer
Lost beyond regions of logic and reason, just being
We high so be not so obedient to society's laws and limitations
Lost in this ghetto population
I'm just another face that's facing all types of, like
Stereotypes and hatred
But I ain't going to whet that and get all stressed out
I'm just trying to make it and strive with my own
Hellbent
Hell went through changes, emotions, inner thoughts and rages
Relieved and released on pages
My life in its cycle of stages
Seen through descriptions in nature
Ever since back in the days when niggas was loving and hating
Everyone trapped and two thou caught The Matrix
With diseases of judgement that breed through the hatred
Conceived through these scenes and then painted
Now what really defines the line of a hater
And what defines the line of someone even greater
And what makes somebody jump that line trying to take it
Wrapped behind enemy lines trying to make it
Mind in another universe while my physical's stuck on the earth
In these inner city mazes
[Vast Aire]
Yo (11x)
Lay that shit down
What is you, a clown?
You wanna see a little kid get shot?
Give me two good reasons so I don't smack you
For flashing a gun in my face just to get some respect
All in all, it's all love and I'm here to protect
You only twelve years old, someone'll snap your neck
You let your pants sag, but your thoughts gotta pull up
Mental calisthenics, raisin brains can't push up
Or even sit up to fight for what they believe in
He thought about it
I said, "Peace, keep breathing."
I see him mumbling, shrugging his shoulder
He probably cursing, but he know better
He had a beretta with the rubbed off serial digit
And I know he got it from Carlos The Midget
The only cat I know cold enough to hustle shit to kids
Him and his three-man team form an eight arm squid
And they laugh in the face of
Any possibilities of them doing bids
We're all from the same ghettos
And these are the same hollow tips that knock milly out of stilettos
He cocked first, I cocked second
And in that exact second both of the gats burst
"Man, this is your last fucking chance."
"Fuck you, this is your last chance."
[Vordul]
Live and orchestrated
From blocks where animals grew up to sport lazers
We twist mad sages
Rock the sky pimping jays all day blazes
Wrapped in these inner city mazes
Relaxing on corners where cats stay wasted
Choking on 4-0 basics, you taste it?
My life's an oasis, this trife's what I make it
Straight through these days spitting raps that laced it
I'm just trying to blaze these mics on the stages
Write on these pages like life as a scene, in amazement
Like, "Ima stay blazing mics until I'm fading
Off of this earth to return to my nature"
In the meantime, spit flows and cop acres
Put my fam in it with shelter that spacious
Everyday life, yo, is rap in these mazes
I'm just trying to make it
The O-E slowly dissolves in my belly, got me aching
Niggas up the block, yo I swear, trying to take it
But I'mma stay patient, watching every move made in the jungle
It's live trying to strive in this struggle
New York state of mind, that's the home that I come to
Nothing but pigeons living, trapped in this system
Bleeding, screaming...phoenix
We need it, thats raps with a meaning stay shining
Trying to escape out of hellfires and lakes
Brain on another plane gliding through acid rain
That's stress trying to master pain
Spit words, not to hurt, but to bash your brain
That's the worth of an MC wrapped in the vein
New York
Isaac Carter
You're a legend for this
aDankPancake
this used to be the worst track on the album for me but this lowkey might be my favorite. A truly underrated masterpiece
Sun Pictures
Big grower. Vordul goes bananas
Nev
@Sun Pictures def can agree w grower...but dang was also one of my favs right off the bat
Nev
@Sun Pictures but for real Vordul goes megatron on this shit
Sun Pictures
@Nev dead set. Initially I was drawn into vast aire’s raps more. But the more I listened - I realised how underrated vordul was/is. Bloke is next level on the whole album
Nev
@Sun Pictures I was actually the exact same way
The_Frontdoorplz
That final line of the song gives me shivers
T TTT
Greatest gangsta rap song that nobody knows of