Can-I-Bus
| Can-I-Bus | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by Canibus | ||||
| Released | September 8, 1998 | |||
| Recorded | 1997–1998 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 48:00 52:07 (with "How Come") |
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| Label | Universal | |||
| Producer | A Kid Called Roots, Canibus, Clark Kent, Jerry 'Wonda' Duplessis, Joe Servilus, LG, Salaam Remi, Wyclef Jean | |||
| Canibus chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    |
| Entertainment Weekly | B |
| MVRemix | 7/10 |
| NME | 8/10 |
| RapReviews | 5/10 |
| Robert Christgau | A |
| Rolling Stone | |
| Wall of Sound | 66/100 |
Can-I-Bus is the debut album by rapper Canibus, released on September 8, 1998 through Universal Records. The album was released after the rapper's success with his LL Cool J , "Second Round K.O.", which was included on Can-I-Bus, with additional support from heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson.
However, the album received mixed reviews. The beats, created mostly by Wyclef Jean, were criticized for their blandness and unoriginality (with a fair amount of the criticism coming from Canibus), but lyrically, the album was praised. Tower Records referred to Canibus as "one of the most innovative new MCs in hip-hop. With Can-I-Bus, the debut album, Canibus delivers more of the battle-rhyme lyrics that are his stock in trade. Still, he manages to cover new ground with conceptually strong cuts like 'I Honor U,' which is dedicated to his mother. With his lyrical skills, Canibus represents the elements that helped build rap music." The album was certified gold by the RIAA. The song "How We Roll" also appeared on the bonus 3rd disc of Eightball's album Lost.
Can-I-Bus garnered mixed reviews from music critics who admired Canibus' battle rap skills but felt exhaustive at times, along with subpar production and half-hearted attempts at different topics.
Hugo Lunny of MVRemix praised Canibus' battle rhymes but felt that the production didn't give them the necessary energy needed, highlighting "I Honor U" and "Channel Zero" for finding the right balance, concluding that "Overall, this is a good album, although anyone who's heard Canibus on 'Desperados' or 'Making A Name 4 Ourselves' is likely to find the album a bit too over hyped. However, listen to the album with fair expectations, and you'll enjoy it."David Browne, writing for Entertainment Weekly, praised Canibus for being able to go beyond the battle rapper image and show versatility in his topics but found the production a hindrance to his goal, concluding that "His devotion to the lyrical slam and to self-respect earmark Canibus as a contender, but it wouldn’t hurt him to learn a few things about record making–from, say, LL?"AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine found Canibus' aggro delivery tiring at times no matter the beat or subject but still gave credit for remaining impactful, concluding that "Unfortunately, those moments only occur sporadically over the course of this overlong debut, but when they do happen, it's easy to see what all the hype is about."
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