Canibus

Twelve years past his debut album, Can-I-Bus, which had the naïve MC fatefully teaming up with Wyclef Jean (who produced the bulk of the affair), Canibus is back for his second album drop this year ― did anyone else know that he released Melatonin Magik in February? ― looking to make a stand against his many haters. With a serious upgrade in production for C of Tranquility ― DJ Premier, Jake One, Scram Jones ― Canibus brings his A game, yet it still falls short. If you haven't heard him in a while, you forget how grating his voice can be, albeit the man writes some serious lyrics. The disc is a mix of good (Jake One's stutter-funk on "C Scrolls" and Preemo's ill "Golden Terra of Rap") and bad ("Salute," which rips off M.O.P.'s classic "Ante Up"). Although this offering is decent, after listening, it's doubtful you'll be a fan if you aren't already.