"Second Round K.O." is a single from rapper

Canibus Germaine Williams (born December 9, 1974), better known by his stage name Canibus, is an American rapper and actor. He initially gained fame in the 1990s for his ability to freestyle, and eventually released his debut album Can-I-Bus in 1998 ...

' debut album, ''

Can-I-Bus ''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 diss track, " Second Round K.O.", which was included on ''Can-I-Bus'' ...

''. The song was produced by

Wyclef Jean Nel Ust Wyclef Jean (; born October 17, 1969) is a Haitian rapper, musician, and actor. At the age of nine, Jean immigrated to the United States with his family. He first achieved fame as a member of the New Jersey hip hop group the Fugees, a ...

and his cousin Jerry Wonder and features spoken vocals from boxer Mike Tyson. The song became Canibus's only top 40 single, peaking at number 28 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.

Background

"Second Round K.O." is a diss track by Canibus directed at LL Cool J. The feud had started after Canibus' appearance on LL's " 4, 3, 2, 1. Canibus' original verse contained the lyrics "L, is that a mic on your arm? Let me borrow that", which LL took offense to. LL responded by writing an indirect diss towards Canibus on the same song. Prior to the song's release, LL approached Canibus and told him that if he wanted to remain on the song, he would have to change his lines, to which Canibus agreed, however, LL kept his original verse. When Canibus' original verse leaked, a feud started between the two rappers. LL suggested the two make a song together to squash the beef after he was done filming ''

Any Given Sunday ''Any Given Sunday'' is a 1999 American sports drama film directed by Oliver Stone depicting a fictional professional American football team. The film features an ensemble cast, including Al Pacino, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid, Jamie Foxx, Jam ...

'', Canibus, however, recorded and released "Second Round K.O." instead. LL would respond with "The Ripper Strikes Back" and "Back Where I Belong" and even thanked Canibus in the liner notes of his album '' G.O.A.T.'' for "inspiration". In the song, Canibus says "the greatest rapper of all time died on March 9.", in reference to

The Notorious B.I.G. Christopher George Latore Wallace (May 21, 1972 – March 9, 1997), better known by his stage names the Notorious B.I.G., Biggie Smalls, or simply Biggie, was an American rapper. Rooted in East Coast hip hop and particularly gangsta ...

, who died on March 9, 1997. Canibus followed up his diss 1 year later, with a record entitled "Rip the Jacker", over a polished remake of the beat from LL Cool J's "I'm Bad".

Track listings

;CD single #"Second Round K.O." (LP Version) - 4:02 #"Second Round K.O." (Clean) - 4:02 #"Second Round K.O." (Instrumental) - 3:53 #"How We Roll" (LP version) - 4:17 #"How We Roll" (Clean) - 4:18 ;12" single Side A #"Second Round K.O." (Main) - 4:02 #"Second Round K.O." (Album version) - 4:02 Side B #"How We Roll" (Main version) - 4:17 #"How We Roll" (Clean) - 4:18

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

References