Canibus

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{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Canibus

| image = Canibus at Amager Bio 4.jpg

| caption = Canibus performing 2007

| birth_name = Germaine Williams

| alias =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|12|9}}

| birth_place = Kingston, Jamaica

| origin = The Bronx, New York City, U.S.

| genre = {{hlist|East Coast hip hop|hardcore hip hop}}

| discography = Canibus discography

| occupations = {{hlist|Rapper|actor}}

| years_active = 1996–present{{cite web|url=https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2016/09/lost-boyz-dogg-pound-canibus-music-makes-me-high-video/|title=Lost Boyz, Tha Dogg Pound & Canibus Had Heads High On The Music (Video)|publisher=Ambrosia For Heads|date=September 1, 2016|access-date=September 26, 2019}}

| label = {{hlist|RBC|Universal|Archives Music|Babygrande|Gladiator|War Lab}}

| current_member_of = The Hrsmn, Refugee Camp All-Stars

}}

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)",{{cite web|url=http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/Top50Emcees.htm#step20|title=Top 50 MCs of Our Time: 1987–2007 – 50 Greatest Emcees of Our Time|date=September 7, 2012|publisher=Rap.about.com|access-date=February 14, 2013|archive-date=November 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123105721/http://rap.about.com/od/toppicks/ss/Top50Emcees.htm#step20|url-status=dead}} while in 2012 The Source placed him number 44 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time.{{cite web |url=http://www.thisis50.com/forum/topics/the-source-s-top-50-lyricists-of-all-time-complete-list-inside?xg_source=activity |title=The Source's Top 50 Lyricists Of All Time |publisher=thisis50.com |date=July 7, 2012 |access-date=March 5, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504085220/http://www.thisis50.com/forum/topics/the-source-s-top-50-lyricists-of-all-time-complete-list-inside?xg_source=activity |archive-date=May 4, 2014 }}

Early life

Williams was born on December 9, 1974, in Kingston, Jamaica. He is of Jamaican descent.[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p293559/biography|pure_url=yes}} allmusic ((( Canibus > Biography )))]. Allmusic. Accessed February 22, 2008.Parker, Lyndsey (August 7, 2000). [http://music.yahoo.com/read/interview/12026742 Exclusive LAUNCH Artist Chat]. Yahoo! Music. Accessed February 22, 2008. {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} His father, Basil Williams, was a Jamaican and West Indian cricketer.[http://www.riotsound.com/hip-hop/rap/interviews/canibus/index.php Canibus : Rap, Hip-Hop Interview] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526072927/http://www.riotsound.com/hip-hop/rap/interviews/canibus/index.php |date=May 26, 2012 }}. Riot Sound. Accessed February 22, 2008. The family moved frequently, living in The Bronx; Newark, New Jersey; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; Miami; Buffalo; and LondonMillner, 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|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410004523/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/1998/09/08/1998-09-08_the_canny_canibus____rapper_.html |date=April 10, 2008 }}. The Daily News. Accessed February 22, 2008. due to his mother's career requiring constant relocation. Canibus stated that he was an introverted child growing up.Johnson Jr, Billy (February 16, 1999). [http://music.yahoo.com/read/interview/12048009 A World Wide Phenomenon]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Yahoo! Music. Accessed February 22, 2008.

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. He studied computer science at DeKalb College in Atlanta.Strauss, Neil (May 10, 1998). [https://www.nytimes.com/1998/05/10/arts/pop-jazz-a-rising-rap-star-puts-content-ahead-of-style.html POP/JAZZ; A Rising Rap Star Puts Content Ahead of Style]. The New York Times. Accessed February 22, 2008.

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.riotsound.com/hip-hop/rap/interviews/canibus/index.php |title=Canibus : Rap, Hip-Hop Interview |publisher=Riotsound.com |access-date=May 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526072927/http://www.riotsound.com/hip-hop/rap/interviews/canibus/index.php |archive-date=May 26, 2012 }}

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's, mocking an unspecified person believed to be Canibus.{{cite web | url=https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/canibus-questionable-lyrics-ll-cool-j-diss-1234736658/ | title=Canibus Clarifies Questionable Lyric in LL Cool J Diss Record, "2nd Round KO" | date=February 21, 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://news.yahoo.com/ll-cool-j-takes-blame-144533591.html | title=LL Cool J Takes Blame for Canibus Beef: "I Wasn't There Yet Mentally" | date=May 11, 2023 }}

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

File:Canibus at Amager Bio 3.jpg

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".Heinzelman, Bill (March 19, 2007). [http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=8450 Canibus My Life] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070328174858/http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=8450 |date=March 28, 2007 }}. XXL magazine. Accessed March 24, 2008.

= ''Melatonin Magik'' (2010) =

In December 2009, it was announced that Canibus was in the process of releasing his 9th studio album Melatonin Magik.{{cite web |url=http://www.ballerstatus.com/2010/01/05/canibus-set-to-return-with-new-album-melatonin-magik/ |title=Canibus Set To Return With New Album, Melatonin Magik |date=January 5, 2010 |publisher=BallerStatus.com |access-date=May 5, 2012}}

= ''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.{{cite web|last=McDevitt |first=Michelle |url=http://www.hiphopsite.com/2010/08/11/canibus-to-release-c-of-tranquility-lp-on-october-5th// |title=Canibus To Release "C Of Tranquility" LP On October 5th » Canibus, Tranquility, Billboard, Can-I-Bus, Lauryn, Blak |publisher=HipHopSite.Com |date=August 25, 2008 |access-date=May 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415062225/http://www.hiphopsite.com/2010/08/11/canibus-to-release-c-of-tranquility-lp-on-october-5th/ |archive-date=April 15, 2012 }}

= 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.{{cite web |url=http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/06/12/canibus-uses-notebook-rap-battle/ |title=Canibus Uses A Notepad During Rap Battle |publisher=Rapfix.mtv.com |date=June 12, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2013 |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005020808/http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/06/12/canibus-uses-notebook-rap-battle/ |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://musikreform.com/blog4/2012/06/11/cannibus-line-of-twitter-disses-from-saigon-alchemist-freddie-gibbs-more/ |title=CANNIBUS' Line Of Twitter Disses |access-date=June 13, 2012 |archive-date=June 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619014638/http://musikreform.com/blog4/2012/06/11/cannibus-line-of-twitter-disses-from-saigon-alchemist-freddie-gibbs-more/ |url-status=usurped }}{{cite web |url=http://musikreform.com/blog4/2012/06/11/cannibus-line-of-twitter-disses-from-saigon-alchemist-freddie-gibbs-more/ |title=Cannibus' Line Of Twitter Disses From SAIGON, ALCHEMIST, FREDDIE GIBBS, & More |publisher=Musikreform.com |date=June 11, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2013 |archive-date=June 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619014638/http://musikreform.com/blog4/2012/06/11/cannibus-line-of-twitter-disses-from-saigon-alchemist-freddie-gibbs-more/ |url-status=usurped }}{{cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9KjsBIsr2g |title=Canibus Forfeits In Pay-Per-View Rap Battle | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=June 10, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2013}}{{cite web |last=Starbury |first=Allen |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9KjsBIsr2g |title=Canibus Forfeits In PPV Rap Battle, Pulls Out Notebook In Final Round |publisher=BallerStatus.com |date=June 11, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2013}}[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9KjsBIsr2g] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801075805/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9KjsBIsr2g|date=August 1, 2015}} The battle was part of King of the Dot's Fresh Coast division in L.A.{{cite web |last=Starbury |first=Allen |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9KjsBIsr2g |title=Canibus To Headline Upcoming Los Angeles Rap Battle, 'Vendetta: Battle Royale' |publisher=BallerStatus.com |date=May 10, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2013}}{{cite web |author=Sydney Lace |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9KjsBIsr2g |title=Hip-Hop Rumors: Canibus Is Coming to Pay-Per-View |publisher=AllHipHop.com |date=May 10, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2013}}

A fake open letter, attributed to Canibus appeared on Tumblr,{{cite web |url=http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/06/13/canibus-apology-notebook-freestyle/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616011531/http://rapfix.mtv.com/2012/06/13/canibus-apology-notebook-freestyle |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 16, 2012 |title=Canibus Issues Apology After Notebook Freestyle |publisher=Rapfix.mtv.com |date=June 13, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2013}}{{cite web |author=Sydney Lace |url=http://allhiphop.com/2012/06/13/hip-hop-rumors-canibus-apologizes-for-rap-battle-dizaster/ |title=Hip-Hop Rumors: Canibus Apologizes For Rap Battle "Dizaster" |publisher=AllHipHop.com |date=June 13, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://ripperapology.tumblr.com/post/24985717845/canibus-apology-from-the-ripper |title=Ripper Apology : Canibus' Apology … from The Ripper |publisher=Ripperapology.tumblr.com |date=June 12, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2013}} though it was later debunked by his manager.{{cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.20086/title.canibus-manager-debunks-his-tumblr-apology-for-notepad-freestyle |title=Canibus' Manager Debunks His Tumblr Apology For Notepad Freestyle | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales |publisher=HipHop DX |date=June 13, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2013}} 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."{{cite web |url=http://www.facebook.com/canibusmusic/ |title=Canibus Music |publisher=Facebook |access-date=February 14, 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.xclusiveszone.net/2012/06/canibus-issues-an-apology-for-battle-with-dizaster/ |title=Canibus Issues An Apology For Battle With Dizaster |publisher=Xclusives Zone |date=June 14, 2012 |access-date=February 14, 2013}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.rapartists.com/artists/canibus/biography |title=Canibus Biography |publisher=Rapartists.com |date=September 11, 2001 |access-date=May 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125090452/http://www.rapartists.com/artists/canibus/biography |archive-date=January 25, 2012 |url-status=dead }}

Discography

= Albums =

Solo

Can-I-Bus (1998)
2000 B.C. (Before Can-I-Bus) (2000)
C! True Hollywood Stories (2001)
Mic Club: The Curriculum (2002)
Rip the Jacker (2003) (produced by Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind)
Mind Control (2005)
Hip-Hop for Sale (2005)
For Whom the Beat Tolls (2007)
Melatonin Magik (2010)
C of Tranquility (2010)
Lyrical Law (2011)
Fait Accompli (2014)
Time Flys, Life Dies... Phoenix Rise (2015) (produced by Bronze Nazareth)
Kaiju (2021) (produced by Body Bag Ben)
One Step Closer to Infinity (2022)

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)

= 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){{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/c/1619944097|title=Canibus & Pete Rock – C |publisher=Apple Music |accessdate= April 29, 2022}}

Filmography

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

References

External links

{{allmusic}}
[http://conspiracyworldwide.podomatic.com/entry/eg/2009-02-25T15_18_02-08_00/ Epic Canibus Interview (CWR Radio)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813230545/http://conspiracyworldwide.podomatic.com/entry/eg/2009-02-25T15_18_02-08_00/ |date=August 13, 2011 }}

Category:1974 births

Category:American rappers of Jamaican descent

Category:20th-century American male rappers

Category:AT&T people

Category:East Coast hip-hop musicians

Category:Perimeter College at Georgia State University alumni

Category:Hardcore hip-hop artists

Category:Jamaican emigrants to the United States

Category:Living people

Category:Male actors from the Bronx

Category:Rappers from the Bronx

Category:United States Army soldiers

Category:Underground rappers

Category:21st-century American rappers

Category:21st-century American male musicians

Category:The Hrsmn members

Category:21st-century American male rappers