Canibus

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American rapper (born 1974)

title: "Canibus" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1974-births", "american-rappers-of-jamaican-descent", "20th-century-american-male-rappers", "20th-century-american-rappers", "at&t-people", "east-coast-hip-hop-musicians", "perimeter-college-at-georgia-state-university-alumni", "hardcore-hip-hop-artists", "jamaican-emigrants-to-the-united-states", "living-people", "male-actors-from-the-bronx", "rappers-from-the-bronx", "united-states-army-soldiers", "underground-rappers", "21st-century-american-rappers", "21st-century-american-male-musicians", "the-hrsmn-members", "21st-century-american-male-rappers", "american-battle-rappers"] description: "American rapper (born 1974)" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canibus" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American rapper (born 1974) ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox musical artist"]

FieldValue
nameCanibus
imageCanibus at Amager Bio 4.jpg
captionCanibus performing 2007
birth_nameGermaine Williams
birth_date
birth_placeKingston, Jamaica
originThe Bronx, New York City, U.S.
genre
discographyCanibus discography
occupations
years_active1996–present
label
current_member_of
module{{Infobox person
signatureCanibus sig.svg
::

| name = Canibus | image = Canibus at Amager Bio 4.jpg | caption = Canibus performing 2007 | birth_name = Germaine Williams | alias = | birth_date = | birth_place = Kingston, Jamaica | origin = The Bronx, New York City, U.S. | genre = | discography = Canibus discography | occupations = | years_active = 1996–present | label = | current_member_of = | module = {{Infobox person|embed=yes | signature = Canibus sig.svg

Germaine Williams (born December 9, 1974), better known by his stage name Canibus, is a Jamaican-American rapper. First having gained recognition for his freestyling abilities, he signed with Universal Records to release his debut studio album, Can-I-Bus (1998). He has since released 13 solo studio albums, and several collaborative projects with other rappers as a member of the Four Horsemen, Refugee Camp All-Stars, Sharpshooterz, Cloak N Dagga, the Undergods and one-half of T.H.E.M.

About.com placed him at number 32 on their list of the "Top 50 MCs of Our Time (1987–2007)", while in 2012 The Source placed him number 44 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time.

Early life

Williams was born on December 9, 1974, in Kingston, Jamaica. He is of Jamaican descent. His father, Basil Williams, was a Jamaican and West Indian cricketer. The family moved frequently, living in The Bronx; Newark, New Jersey; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; Miami; Buffalo; and London due to his mother's career requiring constant relocation.

After completing high school in 1992, he spent a year working for AT&T Corporation and another year as a data analyst for the U.S. Department of Justice.

Career

Debut album (1997–1998)

Canibus' debut album Can-I-Bus was released on September 8, 1998. The song "Second Round K.O.", produced by Wyclef Jean, was a success, with the video featuring Wyclef and a cameo appearance by boxer Mike Tyson. This song formed part of Canibus' famous beef with LL Cool J.

The album contained a lot of socially-conscious material, such as corruption within the U.S. government, AIDS, and violence in modern America.

Canibus had a feud with LL Cool J over a verse that Canibus gave on LL's track "4,3,2,1" from his album Phenomenon. The track featured Canibus, Method Man, Redman, and DMX. Canibus's verse began with the line "Yo LL, is that a mic on your arm? Let me borrow that," referring to the microphone tattoo on LL Cool J's arm which LL Cool J interpreted as Canibus insulting him. When the final cut of the song came out it featured LL Cool J's verse after Canibus', mocking an unspecified person believed to be Canibus.

Feud with Eminem (1998-2003)

In 2003, a bootleg album known as Straight from the Lab was released, containing several unreleased tracks by rapper Eminem. Among the contents of the album was a diss track called "Can-I-Bitch", which is a word play on Canibus' debut album Can-I-Bus. The track targets mainly Canibus and partially the Pet Shop Boys. The feud stemmed from Canibus and Wyclef confronting Eminem and asking him if he had ghost-written the track "The Ripper Strikes Back" by LL Cool J. Eminem denied that he wrote the track. After he was confronted, Eminem said Canibus was "rude" to him. After plans of Eminem being included on the track "Phuck U", from his album 2000 B.C. were shelved, Canibus continued to diss him on the tracks "U Didn't Care" in 2000, and "Dr. C. Phd" in 2002, and over a year later, the track "Can-I-Bitch" leaked.

''For Whom the Beat Tolls'' (2007)

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Canibus_at_Amager_Bio_3.jpg" caption="Canibus performing in 2007"] ::

When the record was originally announced in March, there was only one confirmed track – the third installment in Canibus' "Poet Laureate" series, "Poet Laureate Infinity". The track has 1,000 bars, in the form of five 200 bar verses, and is layered in such a way that "when you mix it and spread it throughout five channels, [you have the ability] to mix the track differently every time".

''Melatonin Magik'' (2010)

In December 2009, it was announced that Canibus was in the process of releasing his 9th studio album Melatonin Magik.

''C of Tranquility'' (2010)

C of Tranquility was released on October 5, 2010. Producers include DJ Premier, Jake One, Scram Jones, Tha Bizness and J-Zone.

Canibus vs Dizaster (2012)

Canibus completed his first rap battle for King of the Dot on June 9, 2012. Canibus participated in the first two rounds before pulling out a notepad to read his bars during the third round, after admitting defeat and wishing to recite what he said were "30 pages of rhymes" that he had failed to memorize. The battle was part of King of the Dot's Fresh Coast division in L.A.

A fake open letter, attributed to Canibus appeared on Tumblr, though it was later debunked by his manager. Canibus later released an official statement on his Facebook page. About the battle itself, Canibus commented that "Sometimes people need laughter and entertainment at the expense of others embarrassment but hip hop means so much to me I don't care."

Army service

In 2002, Canibus signed up for the United States Army. In a 2005 interview, Canibus stated "I enlisted because I wanted to get away from the music... I wanted to do something that gave me a separate definition from what I had done all through my teens and twenties. I was 28 when I enlisted." In 2004, he was caught smoking cannabis and was subsequently discharged.

Discography

Main article: Canibus discography

Albums

Solo

Collaborations

  • The Horsemen Project (2003) (with Killah Priest, Kurupt & Ras Kass, as The Four Horsemen)
  • Def Con Zero (2005) (with Phoenix Orion, as Cloak N Dagga)
  • In Gods We Trust – Crush Microphones to Dust (2011) (with Keith Murray, as The Undergods)
  • Scars n Stripes (2010) (with Matt Maddox;)
  • Lyrical Warfare (2011) (with Webb, as T.H.E.M.; recorded from 1993 to 1995)
  • The 2nd Coming (2013) (with Bronze Nazareth, Cappadonna, M-Eighty, Nino Grave & Planet Asia, as Almighty)
  • The Last Ride (2021) (with Killah Priest, Kurupt & Ras Kass, as HRSMN)
  • Microphone Land (2021) (with Jaximus)
  • Self Licking Ice Cream Cone (2023) (with Johnny Slash)
  • Play No Games (2023) (with Ras Kass & Shane Dollar)

EPs

  • Canibus & Keith Murray Are The Undergods (2009) (with Keith Murray, as The Undergods)
  • Historic EP (2014) (with Killah Priest, Kurupt & Ras Kass, as HRSMN)
  • Full Spectrum Dominance (2018)
  • Full Spectrum Dominance 2 (2018)
  • Matrix Theory I (2018) (with Marty McKay)
  • Full Spectrum Dominance 3 (2019)
  • Matrix Theory II (2019) (with Marty McKay)
  • Full Spectrum Dominance: Repolarization (2019)
  • Matrix Theory III (2019) (with Marty McKay)
  • Matrix Theory IV (2020) (with Marty McKay)
  • Matrix Theory V (2021) (with Marty McKay)
  • C (2022) (with Pete Rock)

Filmography

  • Eyes on Hip Hop (1995) – self
  • Bamboozled (2000) – Mo Blak
  • Beef II (2004) – self
  • The MC: Why We Do It (2005) – self

References

References

  1. (September 1, 2016). "Lost Boyz, Tha Dogg Pound & Canibus Had Heads High On The Music (Video)". Ambrosia For Heads.
  2. (September 7, 2012). "Top 50 MCs of Our Time: 1987–2007 – 50 Greatest Emcees of Our Time". Rap.about.com.
  3. (July 7, 2012). "The Source's Top 50 Lyricists Of All Time". thisis50.com.
  4. [{{AllMusic
  5. Parker, Lyndsey (August 7, 2000). [http://music.yahoo.com/read/interview/12026742 Exclusive LAUNCH Artist Chat]. Yahoo! Music. Accessed February 22, 2008. {{dead link. (June 2016)
  6. [http://www.riotsound.com/hip-hop/rap/interviews/canibus/index.php Canibus : Rap, Hip-Hop Interview] {{webarchive. link. (May 26, 2012 . Riot Sound. Accessed February 22, 2008.)
  7. Millner, Denene (September 18, 1998). [http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/1998/09/08/1998-09-08_the_canny_canibus____rapper_.html The Canndy Canibus Rapper's No Dope, As Rep Goes From Bad To Verser With Release of his First Solo Album] {{webarchive. link. (April 10, 2008 . The ''Daily News''. Accessed February 22, 2008.)
  8. Canibus stated that he was an [[extraversion and introversion. (September 2017)
  9. He studied [[computer science]] at [[Georgia Perimeter College
  10. "Canibus : Rap, Hip-Hop Interview". Riotsound.com.
  11. (February 21, 2023). "Canibus Clarifies Questionable Lyric in LL Cool J Diss Record, "2nd Round KO"".
  12. (May 11, 2023). "LL Cool J Takes Blame for Canibus Beef: "I Wasn't There Yet Mentally"".
  13. (April 25, 2024). "Pet Shop Boys look back on Eminem’s diss track ‘Can-I-Bitch’: “He does it very humorously”".
  14. (September 6, 2009). "Eminem Straight From the Lab".
  15. (November 19, 2002). "Canibus – Eminem's Enemies, Rivals and Beefs – Eminem Lab – eminem enemies, eminem fight, eminem beef, eminem beefs, Eminem lyrics, eminem wallpapers, eminem downloads, eminem". Eminemlab.com.
  16. (November 19, 2002). "Canibus – Eminem's Enemies, Rivals and Beefs – Eminem Lab – eminem enemies, eminem fight, eminem beef, eminem beefs, Eminem lyrics, eminem wallpapers, eminem downloads, eminem". Eminemlab.com.
  17. Patel, Joseph. (December 2, 2003). "Eminem's Benzino Dis Turns Up In The Lab". [[MTV]].
  18. link. (March 28, 2007 . ''XXL'' magazine. Accessed March 24, 2008.)
  19. (January 5, 2010). "Canibus Set To Return With New Album, Melatonin Magik". BallerStatus.com.
  20. McDevitt, Michelle. (August 25, 2008). "Canibus To Release "C Of Tranquility" LP On October 5th » Canibus, Tranquility, Billboard, Can-I-Bus, Lauryn, Blak". HipHopSite.Com.
  21. (June 12, 2012). "Canibus Uses A Notepad During Rap Battle". Rapfix.mtv.com.
  22. "CANNIBUS' Line Of Twitter Disses".
  23. (June 11, 2012). "Cannibus' Line Of Twitter Disses From SAIGON, ALCHEMIST, FREDDIE GIBBS, & More". Musikreform.com.
  24. Horowitz, Steven J.. (June 10, 2012). "Canibus Forfeits In Pay-Per-View Rap Battle | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX.
  25. Starbury, Allen. (June 11, 2012). "Canibus Forfeits In PPV Rap Battle, Pulls Out Notebook In Final Round". BallerStatus.com.
  26. link. (August 1, 2015)
  27. Starbury, Allen. (May 10, 2012). "Canibus To Headline Upcoming Los Angeles Rap Battle, 'Vendetta: Battle Royale'". BallerStatus.com.
  28. Sydney Lace. (May 10, 2012). "Hip-Hop Rumors: Canibus Is Coming to Pay-Per-View". AllHipHop.com.
  29. (June 13, 2012). "Canibus Issues Apology After Notebook Freestyle". Rapfix.mtv.com.
  30. Sydney Lace. (June 13, 2012). "Hip-Hop Rumors: Canibus Apologizes For Rap Battle "Dizaster"". AllHipHop.com.
  31. (June 12, 2012). "Ripper Apology : Canibus' Apology … from The Ripper". Ripperapology.tumblr.com.
  32. Horowitz, Steven J.. (June 13, 2012). "Canibus' Manager Debunks His Tumblr Apology For Notepad Freestyle | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX.
  33. "Canibus Music". Facebook.
  34. (June 14, 2012). "Canibus Issues An Apology For Battle With Dizaster". Xclusives Zone.
  35. (September 11, 2001). "Canibus Biography". Rapartists.com.
  36. "Canibus & Pete Rock – C". [[Apple Music]].

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

1974-birthsamerican-rappers-of-jamaican-descent20th-century-american-male-rappers20th-century-american-rappersat&t-peopleeast-coast-hip-hop-musiciansperimeter-college-at-georgia-state-university-alumnihardcore-hip-hop-artistsjamaican-emigrants-to-the-united-statesliving-peoplemale-actors-from-the-bronxrappers-from-the-bronxunited-states-army-soldiersunderground-rappers21st-century-american-rappers21st-century-american-male-musiciansthe-hrsmn-members21st-century-american-male-rappersamerican-battle-rappers