I’ve been listening to The Lost Boyz “Beast From The East” track from 1997 all morning long, because I forgot just how nice Canibus’ verse was at the end! I’ve always been a Redman enthusiast, and his verse is good on here, but Canibus took it to the NEXT level once he got going…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy75KeDDVhU
It’s been over 10 years, and you’d still be hard-pressed to find much of anything that apporaches the level of lyricism reached in this one verse. Too bad Canibus never lived up to his potential. I guess he should have left L.L. Cool J. alone or something…Just about everyone who ever beefed with L.L. had their career go extinct soon afterwards. L.L. has always been on that Randy Orton, “Legend Killer” sh*t when it comes to taking down his rivals.
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Canibus has always been one of the best lyricists in the game. This verse was fire and he actually has some that are a lot better. The only problem is that he sometimes gets too complex with his bars. The average hip hop fan is not going to understand metaphors about WWII and spaceships. Canibus raps about that kind of stuff at times and that is where he loses people. Despite it all, he has talent.
See that’s the thing about great lyricists, they shouldn’t have to dumb it down for common folk to get it. We, as listeners are responsible for educating ourselves when we are introduced to concepts or unfamiliar information. At least in my opinion anyway. This is the EXACT reason I have always loved Canibus, Pharoahe Monch, (pre G-Unit) Eminem, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco, Big L, and Black Thought. That list is a lyrical DREAM TEAM!!!
Canibus could have lasted in the game if he had good production.
Poet Laureate II by Canibus
http://www.sendspace.com/file/powjb8
Nunca by Chino XL
http://www.sendspace.com/file/gvn82l
Halos feat. Crooked I
http://www.sendspace.com/file/8zogo4
Camp Cupcake by Donwill
http://www.sendspace.com/file/wajhwc
Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead by Playalitical
http://www.sendspace.com/file/xnm6vl