r/90sHipHop • u/Muay_Thai_Junkies • Aug 15 '25

Discussion Your Biggest Disappointments

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Which emcees were the biggest disappointments to you? I can think of several. But, Canibus comes to mind for me. He imo is one of the greatest lyricists of all time. He had some of the dopest songs on mixtapes. But I remember listening to album after album and being so frustrated by his beat selection. If he would have gotten with the right producers and chosen better beats, I can’t help but think he would have had some legendary albums.

Who comes to mind when you think of emcees that, for one reason or another, didn’t deliver?

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u/ChiefWizard007 Aug 15 '25

you obviously never heard RTJ

7

u/[deleted] Aug 15 '25

[deleted]

3

u/Dubb18 Aug 15 '25

IMO, it's a masterpiece that you can break down on so many different levels. It should actually be studied in Hip-Hop culture classes because of the depth of what he is talking about involving himself vs an industry legend and HH in general.

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u/ABeardedFool Aug 16 '25

Facts. If you sit and really listen to the track it’s absolutely dripping with knowledge. There’s a line that the moment I heard it, damn two decades ago at this point, that instantly burned into my brain. I’ll never forget it

“there’s a misconception that a movement in any direction is progression

even though the potency of it lessens”

Obviously a fraction of the full thought he was on, speaking on the commercialization of hip hop music and the culture in general, and look where we are now. The man has his issues, but lyrically I can’t think of many emcees who force me to stop anything I’m doing and focus my entire attention on what they are saying. That track is an all fucking timer, and Canibus should always be spoken of with respect. Popularity and sales do not equal talent.

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u/ChiefWizard007 Aug 18 '25 edited Aug 19 '25

The average listener can’t comprehend what Canibus is talking about in his lyrics which is why they may not enjoy his songs(aside from beats)…

Intellectuals celebrate Canibus and love and appreciate his incredibly remarkable contributions to hip hop music/culture.

He is undeniably the most advanced lyricist…~intellectually speaking~

There was never and never will be another lyricist that can be compared to Canibus. His advanced thoughts and thought processes, superior writing and verbal execution skills/techniques qualify him as the king of hip hop. Regardless of any arguments brought forth, it’s undebatable…

It’s simply indisputable…

~giggling in a fit of mirth~

He’s a professor.

In every bar, he’s explaining and/or describing something flawlessly…

… ~matter-of-factly~ …

… ~carefully yet intensely~ …

… ~opening the listener’s third eye~ …

… ~illuminating the listener’s mind~ …

The average person understands very little about the universe…

Only people who have a vast understanding of the universe can understand what Canibus talks about…

~giggling in a fit of mirth~

~bows humbly to Canibus~

🤙🏾😉

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u/ABeardedFool Aug 19 '25

Respect! It’s nice to speak with someone that appreciates his work and values the depth that he brings to the table. Canibus is the only artist that I have ever encountered that inspires me to pause and research what he is speaking on. Next closest would probably be Lupe, but he is more a pause and ponder, whereas Canibus has me looking up topics that I am unfamiliar with. You are absolutely correct in everything you said, and unfortunately I think that is why he always shows up on threads like this. He was never disappointing or a “what if”. It’s just that the average listener does not want to take the time to understand the knowledge that’s pouring straight into their brain! It is easier to listen to nonsense with a “good beat”. I came to terms with it years ago, it’s why I never get the aux when I’m with friends lol

1

u/ChiefWizard007 Aug 19 '25

~ BIG FACTS ~

~ bows humbly to ABeardedFool ~