Words By David D.

Man, what about those Davidson Wildcats?

Yes, I’m a student and damn proud. But even if I weren’t attending Davidson, I’d have been rooting for the ‘Cats.

Why?

Like most people, I like the underdog. I always want the scrappy fighter to pull out with the win. Interestingly enough, this same desire applies to my interest in certain Hip-Hop artists. At one point, the biggest underdog I ever wanted to win was Canibus.

The man came out and challenged an LL who was at an all-time high of annoyance. His lip-licking, “something like a phenomenon,” antics were begging for someone to throw rocks at the throne. Canibus was that guy.

We all know the story, “2nd Round K.O.” was one of the greatest diss records of all-time. Followed by one of the worst debut albums to ever come out. The album, Can-I-Bus, might as well have been called Can-Of-Shit. But still, I rooted for the man. He was always an ill lyricist but lacked any help in terms of production and concepts.

His second album, 2000 B.C. (Before Can-I-Bus), was severely slept on and everything I could hope for from Canibus. From the first absolutely bananas first track and opening lines:

“My offense is a mixture of Mike and Muhammad
Knock an aggin unconscious and talk shit
In bareknuckled boxin, speed is the option
Weavin and dodging with defense and blocking
In the ring, you can not win, the top ten becomes nine dead if I ever decide to hop in…”

For the most part, Canibus stayed rather pedestrian on the album, staying away from the more obscure (see bizarre) topics that have alienated many of his would-be fanbase.

Collabos with Rakim, Rass Kass and a few others really allow Canibus to shine alongside his contemporaries. No, 2000 B.C. is not a classic from beginning to end, but it’s probably the closest to a dream Canibus album we’re gonna get and a moment for me to celebrate a nice victory with my underdog rapper.

Sound off on underdog MCs you root for…

Canibus_-_2000_B.C._(Before Can-I-Bus)

Loosies

Plies – Who Hotter Than Me

Rich Boy- Haters Wish

Michelle Williams – We Break The Dawn

G-Unit – I Like The Way She Do It

Ya Boy – Ride On Em

Webbie_Feat_Blood_Raw-Independent (Remix)

B.A.G.I._Feat._Kool_G_Rap and P.A. – Hood_Fellaz

Kidz In The Hall’s Feat. Bun B and Talib Kweli – Change” (Work To Do) (Remix)

Bobby_Valentino_-_Your_Smile

Donny Goines – Held it Down

Donny Goines – The Light

Loosies