Rewind to 1998, a mostly unknown rapper by the name of Canibus drops a track called “Second Round Knockout” directed at legend LL COOL J. The world is caught off guard-where did this kid come from because he fucking killed it! AND he’s backed by Wyclef Jean? And for that matter, WHAT has Mike Tyson got to do with anything?
Back in 1998, Canibus’ rap career was at its peak. Here came this kid out of nowhere, single-handedly decimating one of the most prolific battle rappers in the game. Sure, LL dropped a response that was decent, but it paled in comparison to the marvel that is “Second Round Knockout.”
But the public was hungry for more. What about the album, the masses wondered. They wouldn’t have to wait for long.
In 1998, Canibus had ENORMOUS pressure behind him to succeed. His debut album would have be a tomahawk slam in the fourth quarter over Patrick Ewing in order to meet the expectations the public had for him . Instead, it was more like a Allen Iverson crossover in the second quarter that got called for travelling, “meh.”
Still, I think Canibus’ debut album, Can-I-Bus, is a good album. The man can flow, for sure. Joints like “Patriots” or “Buckingham Palace” still bang as hard as they ever did. Songs like “Niggonometry” and “I Honor U” are entertaining and original. Maybe it’s the nostalgia talking, but songs I used to think were booty (“Hype-nitis”) have replay value now. Just don’t ask me about “Rip Rock” because that song just sucks.
As expected, a lot of formerly “diehard” fans of Canibus jumped off the bandwagon once Can-I-Bus dropped. Some stuck around, hoping that he’d do better with his sophomore effort. The reasoning was that he would do better without Wyclef-which Canibus himself boldly proclaimed on a song from said album. The sad truth was that 2000 B.C. wasn’t better than Can-I-Bus, nor was C: True Hollywood Stories (haha), nor was Mic Club.
The man who had stepped onto the rap scene like a father’s first born war hero son is now more like the weird uncle who sits in the corner at reunions.
But he did have that debut album, and it’s worth a listen.
Extended listening: Episode 16 – All Beef #1 (chronicling the LL COOL J/Canibus beef).
