Customer Reviews

Hip Hop for Sale

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First and foremost, do not be frightened by the slightly bling-like nature the album cover depicts. As the saying goes "don't judge a book by its cover", do the same for this CD. Nowhere on here is Canibus acting jiggy or throwing us life-less garbage on the microphone like most mainstream artists do. This CD is sorta like Canibus's crack at going mainstream again, but keeping it grimey enough to not alienate his long-time fans. Production is handled nicely by Nottz and the other producers, but not every beat is blazing, some fall in the 'average' pile that do not stand out. The majority of the negative reviews this album has received is because they are unfairly comparing it to a bootleg that wasn't supposed to be released. They are just upset that not every song is 'new material'.

This is another album that was spoiled by early bootlegging in the beginning of 2005. The album was originally supposed to be released in May, but 14 tracks (6 of which appear in altered formats on this album) were leaked as the through the unreleased 'Virtruvian Man' mixtape... Honestly, the Virtruvian Man is slightly better than this album (probably because it was supposed to be pressed as HIPHOP FOR SALE - with the exception of the freestyled tracks)... Rather, some tracks from Virtruvian Man were released on HH4S along with some newer unheard tracks...

Tracks with *'s appeared on Virtruvian Man (I will be as unbiased as possible with song reviews)

Its No Other Than * (5 out of 5) --- This is the album's first single and this joint is a banger. Nottz produced a really funky track and Bis is triumphantly screaming over it. This version is remastered from Virtruvian Man and has extra vocals added into it.

Back Wit Heat * --- (4.5 out of 5) Another Nottz track, but with a much grimier feel than Its No Other Than. Here Bis is showcasing his ability to craft some menacing rhymes over darker production. This version is remastered from its original one.

Benny Riley --- (4 out of 5) The beat is real funky and grimey, although Bis's vocals are way too raspy over this. Still a good track though.

Show Em How * --- (4 out of 5) This is a really funky beat from Nottz. Bis is spitting comical lethal rhymes at the listener.

Dear Academy * (3.5 out of 5) --- This is the track that everyone loves to hate. Personally it's not AS crazy as the other tracks, but it provides a cool introspective on Canibus as he's talking about all the people he's worked with in the past who've blown up since then...

I Gotcha * (3.5 out 5) --- This track's original version from Virtruvian Man was better. DMP is on this version though, but their vocals are too quiet. The mixing on this track ruined what was otherwise a hot song.

So Into You (2.5 out of 5) --- Interesting, pretty much sums up the review here. Canibus is spittin a love ballad, oddly enough its still pretty decent although very unorthodox. He gets points for the versatility...

Da Facelift * (10 out of 5) --- This track did appear on Virtuvian Man but with a different beat. The production on this version is godly. The Canibus of old is 100% present here. ABSOLUTE BANGER OF A TRACK!!!

Hip Hop Body Rock (5 out of 5) --- Like 'So Into You' this is another side from Canibus I didn't see coming, however, this representation is shown MUCH better. A very funky and crazy track!

Take Dat (3.5 out of 5) --- Two very lackluster tracks close off the album. The production on this track is very lacking for Bis's vocals although its not a bad beat. The main problem is after the first minute of the track Bis is done spittin and you get 2 no-names after that.

Punchlines (3 out of 5) --- I want to like this song but I cannot. Lyrically its hot, but the beat is just eeeeehhhhh depressing...

All in all this is still a decent album, but the overall hotness on it comes at random times. Another complaint is that its only 42 minutes long. I WANT TO HEAR MORE!!! I just wish the Virtuvian Man was never leaked because I garauntee that HipHop 4 $ale would've been much hotter!!!

I'd still cop it though!

I'm a huge Bis fan and I love damn near most of his work. 2003's Rip the Jacker was a hip hop classic and Bis's best album. Mic Club was great too but couldn't touch RTJ's quality. RTJ is one of the few albums that I can put on and not have to skip a track because every track is perfect and you can't say that about many albums. I was so excited to finally buy this album and listen to it but before I even did I could tell that Bis went with a new direction with his raps just by the cover(the diamond writing on his name and him sitting in a Rolls Royce holding a stack of hundreds). I thought to myself that this is not Canibus's style at all. What made RTJ so great was Stoupe's unique beats. His beats went so prefectly with Bis's raw voice and lyrics. Hip Hop for Sale just doesn't have the Bis feel as the previous albums do. His rhymes on this album aren't as intelligent as the previous releases either. And my biggest problem with this whole album is the production. Nottz and Canibus just don't have the same chemistry that Bis and Stoupe did. The whole album feels like Canibus is trying so hard to go mainstream. The best track hands down is "It's no other than." I think it's the best beat on the whole album and that is not saying much because the beat is alright, not good but alright. Other than that there's three acceptable tracks being 5,8, and 11. They sound and feel more like Bis's previous work. That's about it, the whole album was pretty much a big disappointment. I understand that not everyone is going to agree with this review because not everyone has the same taste in beats or raps as I do but if you really want this album than purchase it if you can find it. If not than just pick up Rip the Jacker or any of Bis's albums(that doesn't include Mind Control or C! True Hollywood Stories because those albums were not anything special either). Bis, from a true fan, if you're listening, please hook up with Stoupe and make another Rip the Jacker because those are the albums you should be making and those are the albums your true fans want to hear.
I guess I'll have to wait for your next album Bis. I'm not mad at the purchase, just a little disappointed in the direction you went. Until next time, Thanks for reading.

honestly, this album gets 3 1/2 stars from me...and I've been a lifelong canibus fan...his problem lies in his focus...my favorite canibus albums are mic club, 2000 bc and rip the jacker...can-i-bus was a disaster, as was c-true hollywood stories and mind control...hip-hop for sale is decent, dont get me wrong...but his focus is in the wrong direction...yeah, he is all about making an anti-bling cd using the bling (cover art)...but in the process, he does sound very commercial, and with a handful of lame chorus hooks and subject matter choices, his potential is failed to be reached once again...that is...until the team-up with phoenix orion...def con zero is a better option...however, if you like canibus solo efforts, than I am sure you've been with him project to project...but hip-hop for sale is decent...nothing special.

Rip is back for his 3rd album of 2005, about euqal with the other 2 he was on this year and another 4 star album (not his best or his worst work). Just 6 months after his "Mind Control" solo and 1 week after his "Def Con Zero" collabo with Phoenix Orion, you get alot of Bis in '05. With only 11 songs (a lot were released on a leaked mixtape), 5 are solid and 6 are average to pretty good, none are really worth skipping. Guests rap ion1 sogn and do the hook on 2 others so a good deal of Bis is heard. They're all mostly 3 verse 16 bar/verse songs so you don't get his lyrical fury that he usually delivers better than possibly any other rapper. As usual, the production isn't the highpoint. Nottz (who I don't rellay like) does 5 sogns, Jeff Wheeler does 3 and J Hen, Blackmilc, and jay Swift all do 1 song. Not his best album but still rather solid.

#1 - 8
#2 - 8
#3 - 9 (nice beat)
#4 - 7.5
#5 - 7 (bad beat from Nottz -- talks about a lot of rappers and actors cleverly)
#6 - 6.5 (f/ Nottz -- who also provides a sup-par beat once again)
#7 - 6 (a song for the ladies -- out of place for him)
#8 - 9 (tight beat)
#9 - 7.5
#10 - 7.5 (f/ star Awon & Ike Infa Diamond)
#11 - 9 (f/ Hamza -- nice beat)

Germaine Williams -- b. Around 1974

Check all my reviews

By far, this is the best album from Canibus yet!! His other albums, although lyrically top notch, the production has been mediocre at best.
Canibus has really found a pretty good production team which is finally able to match beats with his attack MC style. I own Canibus's other cd's and this one shines like a star.I'm not gonna pick the best songs on this one because they are all better than three stars. Pick it up!!

I haven't fully heard the whole CD, but I must say Canibus has strong potential, but must focus less on bragging about himself anf how dope he is, but stick to intelligent constructive concepts, because he is already spreading good message. Lyrically he got skills, but gotta speak from the heart, not try to commercialize! Decent CD, beats are decent, lyrics as well, looking forward to the return of the poet! [...]

Peace And Respect to all, 1,
Gorilla

I really want to show love to Biz, but his last two efforts have been a huge let down. This is mixtape material, not the classic sound we are accustomed to hearing. I think Canibus really needs to sit down and choose what direction he wants to going in. Either, you go back to being the underground legend we loved in Rip the Jacker, 2000 b.c, mic club, etc or you sell your soul completely by searching for help from clowns like Kanye--look what he did with previous underground dudes like Common.

CANIBUS
HIP HOP FOR $ALE

Finally Biz hits us with another new album of all new material, of course it's also tight he released two other albums on the same day. One official mix tape called "MIC CLUB MASTER VOL 1", and "CLOAK N DAGGA-DEF CON ZERO" an album with a guy called PHOENIX ORION. So with out further a due............

1.IT'S NO OTHER THAN-from what the sticker tells me this is the first single, and the beat definitely has that mainstream sound. NOTTZ produced an excellent beat for Biz to rip up, kinda sounds like something Cassidy would get on. I love the hook with the kid spelling out Biz's name, and u all know Biz kills it. This was definitely a wise choice for a single, it has mainstream appeal with out selling Canibus out.4/5

2.BACK WIT HEAT-Nottz returns to drop an eerie Arabian kinda influenced instrumental, the horns in particular are great. This was defiantly a wise choice to make the final cut of the album. Hearing Biz on the hook telling us he's back to change hip hop, u actually believe that's what will happen if he gets the push he deserves. Biz defiantly comes with heat on this one, this would make a nice lil video for a single if handled right. Like if it was made in old Arabian times with Biz in a cloak and hood with some evil glowing eyes at times at some point or something would be tight.5/5

3.BENNY RILEY-"this is great" is what we hear on this track with its samples from some guy, and to be honest he's right. This horn driven track by JEFF WHEELER while it doesn't live up to the standards set by the other two definitely go hard. Biz also comes with heat on this track, killing all these fake mc's.3.5/5

4.SHOW EM HOW-now this one seems to be either u like it or u don't, my brother loves this track, I on the other hand don't really listen to this one as much as the others. I must admit the beat from Nottz does make me laugh, for some reason it just strikes me funny. As for Biz u know he holds it down, the last verse in particular is fire, lyrically this track stands out.3.5/5

5.DEAR ACADEMY-EXCELLENT TRACK, this is kinda a big shout out to other artists/his history. The sample in the beginning is off the hook, and the beat from Nottz is great. The stuff about who he toured with, and how him, Mos Def, and Spike Lee used to freestyle on the set on "BAMBOOZALED". He even says some stuff about the videos "4,3,2,1, and GONE TILL NOVEMBER", and even mentions Emeniem. Still that intro is great, especially the vicious bite your thought part.5/5

6.I GOTCHA-another good beat from Nottz, and some great lyrics from Biz. The beat reminds me of something but I can't think of what, it kinda sounds funny. DMP features on this song dropping the hook and a verse. To be honest I don't listen to this track as much, but it's still good. 3.5/5

7.SO INTO YOU-once again Biz tries to create a mainstream type love song, and to be honest it is actually pretty good. The beat by J STARR & TICK isn't the greatest one ever concocted but it does get the job done. And to be honest Biz holds it down lyrically with this song, his story telling is on point on this one. This could actually go over well with the 106 & park/trl crowd, and could actually make it high on the count down. JULI ECARO does a pretty good job on this one, over all good track and the MONEY SHOT part is great, plus my girl loves this track [go figure].4/5

8.DA FACELIFT-this track in particular sounds very cinematic, and that can be credited to BLAKMILC. The beat is tight and the instruments and effects go well together, this is that track that every Biz album has. U all know it that straight spittin and going hard with the rhymes all the way through. To say the rhymes are off the hook would be an understatement "I' am like a shoaln monk on crunk", he definitely kills it, and the hook only appears twice trough out the whole song.4.8/5

9.HIP HOP BODY ROCK-this is like an early hip hop throw back, from the simple beat from Jeff Wheeler to the old school hook by Biz. Lyrically Biz holds it down talking about his hip hop roots like breaking. This is actually a pretty good track, but I don't listen to it as much as I should.4/5

10.TAKE DAT-this track is kinda hard to review, as much as I want to like this track a lot I just don't. The dark beat from JAYSWIFTZ is simplistically great, the violin sounds are great but to be honest it isn't any thing revolutionary. U all know Biz comes correct, and to be honest again STAR, AWON, & IKE INFA DIAMOND aren't wack, but they aren't great. Over all this is an average track but is still good for a listen every once in a while.3/5

11.PUNCH LINES-just like his last two albums this one ends with eleven tracks, this might actually be the best track lyrically. Biz talks about how Fat Joe and others were talking about Biz being over seas and slandering his name. But Biz really shines on this track, I can't say enough about how Biz handles this track with ease. And Jeff Wheeler supplies an excellent beat, I love the flutes and horns, also the punch bass is great. And HAMZA sounds great on the hook, this is a nice way to end the album.4.5/5

Over all this is an excellent release and worth any amount of money u dish out, this album needs to hit platinum just like every release he has to his credit.

Canibus is an independent artist. fans of the hardcore canibus seem to complain about albums that they think are less than they expect. Why always expect more of the same? why not allow experimentation? isn't variety the spice of life? true fans know that he has still got it, as the "cloak and dagga" release proves. I admire the fact that he tries different things and although I myself might not think that it is as good as his best stuff, I also appreciate that there is a whole market of fans who are not ready for the hardcore lyrical assasin that canibus can be. Why should he choose whether to either "sell out or be underground"? why not keep as many fingers in as many pies as possible?

canibus, just keep doing your thing!

OKay. let's start off with the obvious. production is lacking. Nottz's style of production sounds too "mickey mousey" for canibus. Production is average at best but mostly boring and sounds to easy to produce. Now the great part of this album: his lyrics. This is the Canibus we all know. it wasn't his greatest outing but is much better than C-true Hollywood Stories.... It was great to hear Canibus again. and with average beats- he stills stands out.