Verified archive entry

Lyrical Law vs. Joey Cupcakes

By Canibus · Targeting Joe Budden, Royce da 5'9"

Lyrical Law vs. Joey Cupcakes is a diss track by Canibus targeting Joe Budden and Royce da 5'9". The recording also credits Born Sun. The track comes from Canibus' dispute with members of Slaughterhouse and responds to their recorded or public comments.

Released2011

Annotated3

ExplicitYes

Addressable transcript

Lyrics & breakdown

Demo lines only. Select a line number to copy a stable deep link.

01
[Verse 1: Canibus]
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First things first man, you fucking with the worst
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You better bring a ice pack when I see you in person
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And I'ma bring Arsonal, ask Joe who the fuck he talking to
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He the softest nigga in the group
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Blood thicker than water, wash it off after the Slaughter
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Green Hornets, black microphone marauders on set
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Break necks without breaking a sweat
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People wanna see mic wreck, you wanna tweet texts
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I am Hip-Hop Ron Artest, the bars I said
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Off with they head, everybody I gon' dead
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Who they got, Kid Vischis? You wanna piece of me?
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One day we gonna see who's the better emcee
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What a tangled web you weave
Multi-line diss block
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I'm the only MC the whole world'll ever need
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Agreed, you drunk or high? Doesn't make a difference when you die
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Couldn't tell you what wasn't on his mind
Block noteImagines the battle as physical destruction
TargetJoe Budden
MeaningWhat it means: In “Agreed, you drunk or high? Doesn't make a difference when you die,” Canibus converts lyrical defeat into death, shooting, burial, or bodily harm directed at Joe Budden. Why it was said: The track comes from Canibus' dispute with members of Slaughterhouse and responds to their recorded or public comments. The violent image makes the response sound final: instead of proposing an endless exchange, the artist depicts Joe Budden as unable to return for another round.
ContextThe track comes from Canibus' dispute with members of Slaughterhouse and responds to their recorded or public comments.
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Saying you the best and not proving it, proves less
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Disrespectful piece of shit, I'm coming for you next
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Malcolm XOX showing contempt instead of showing respect
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That proves his stress, jabs don't connect
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Leave his face like Jonah Hex, ice pack cold and pressed
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Internet snitching like a little bitch
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Joey Low Life, living off rice and goat tripe
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He boasts on the mic, then he posts on the site
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Then exposed his whole life for the dope, for a price
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Don't rep the culture right, sold his soul for the hype
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Got known overnight for niggas fucking his wife
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Got bust in the eyesight and still wouldn't fight
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Bare hands to the gun, to the knife, you a gutless type
Multi-line diss block
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I'ma show you what your guts look like
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You're a disgrace to Jersey, you suck on the mic
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You and 5'9" is like two moist butt wipes
Block noteAttacks the target's ability to rap
TargetJoe Budden
MeaningWhat it means: In “You're a disgrace to Jersey, you suck on the mic,” Canibus challenges Joe Budden on writing, delivery, flow, or command of the microphone rather than relying only on a personal insult. Why it was said: The track comes from Canibus' dispute with members of Slaughterhouse and responds to their recorded or public comments. This goes to the qualification that gives Joe Budden standing in a rap battle; if the craft is weak, the reply loses authority before its other claims are considered.
ContextThe track comes from Canibus' dispute with members of Slaughterhouse and responds to their recorded or public comments.
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Walking around all uptight, buzzing in the club all night
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Two drunken mics hollering, "Thug Life"
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You 'bout as bright as a broken floodlight
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Can-I-Bus you in the head with a bottle of Bud Light
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One love, one life, one shot, one kill gunfight
Multi-line diss block
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Joey Cupcakes Budden got a bear cub bite
Block noteMakes the confrontation explicit
TargetJoe Budden
MeaningWhat it means: In “Joey Cupcakes Budden got a bear cub bite,” Canibus addresses Joe Budden directly and makes the situation described in the quoted line the point of confrontation. Why it was said: The track comes from Canibus' dispute with members of Slaughterhouse and responds to their recorded or public comments. Naming or plainly addressing Joe Budden removes the safety of a subliminal and makes the quoted claim something the target can either answer or leave standing.
ContextThe track comes from Canibus' dispute with members of Slaughterhouse and responds to their recorded or public comments.
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[Interlude]
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"I thought Canibus killed him, but for some reason..."
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"What fuckin' reason?"
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"Relax, you got your muscles tight. Relax, alright."
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[Verse 2: Born Sun]
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Stood at thresholds of greatness, impatiently waiting for shine time
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As if you need divine mandated