Genius | Song Lyrics & Knowledge

I want him got and I get him
Auction his wack ass off, then bid him Common (Ft. Canibus) – Making a Name for Ourselves

What is this?

The Genius annotation is the work of the Genius Editorial project. Our editors and contributors collaborate to create the most interesting and informative explanation of any line of text. It’s also a work in progress, so leave a suggestion if this or any annotation is missing something.

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

When Common goes after his opponents, he doesn’t allow them any room to breathe; he “gets” (kills) them instead of allowing them to continue rapping

The references to “bid/auction” seem to be Common comparing other rappers to his slaves, who he can sell / “bid” goodbye to if he pleases

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

Move crowds with kinetic wisdom
It's like a Malcolm X-orcism Common (Ft. Canibus) – Making a Name for Ourselves

Genius Annotation 1 Contributor ?

What is this?

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

Common has the ability to rile up a crowd to the point where they could be considered possessed by demons. As Malcolm X fought to free his comrades from oppressive societal and governmental policies, Common’s fighting to free his audience from the boring rap of the day

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

Making a Name for Ourselves Common (Ft. Canibus) – Making a Name for Ourselves

Song Bio 1 Contributor ?

What is this?

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

Fresh off his feud with Ice Cube, Common delivers a scattershot assault with the help of a young Canibus. Together, they assert their mathematically dubious superiority with potent lyrics, great rhymes and a simple but powerful beat

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

47,545

8 years

The math isn’t as dubious as you think. 2 squared is the same as 2 doubled, 4. There are two men on the song who are your worst nightmare.

Upvote +4 Downvote

7 years

yeah. that’s the same conclusio i came to. the two of them equals the square

Upvote +1 Downvote

Show 1 more suggestion

I'm 'bout to make the name Common Sense a name you fear Common (Ft. Canibus) – Making a Name for Ourselves

Genius Annotation 1 Contributor ?

What is this?

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

Through the course of the song, both Common and Canibus seek to prove to the world that they’re the best MC’s out there, and that other rappers should be in fear of them

Strangely enough, both rappers dropped classic diss tracks in the years before and after this song was released; Common directed “The Bitch In Yoo” at Ice Cube, and Canibus would later destroy LL Cool J with “Second Round K.O.” on his debut album

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

That's double for niggas who ain't mathematically aware Common (Ft. Canibus) – Making a Name for Ourselves

Genius Annotation 6 Contributors ?

What is this?

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

Mathematical wordplay. Of course, squared and double do not mean the same thing. To double a number is to multiply it by two, to square a number is to multiply it by itself. Common is one nightmare squared and Canibus is one nightmare squared. 1 squared + 1 squared = 1 + 1, which equals 2 nightmares, double the original number (1). From a different standpoint, 2 squared is the same as 2 doubled: 2 x 2, which equals 4. Canibus and Common (2 rappers) squared (2 x 2) equals the same sum of rappers as Canibus and Common doubled: 4 rappers.

The second layer of meaning is that that their lyrical threat goes double for rappers not up on their Supreme Mathematics, a concept that is part of the Five-Percent Nation (Nation of the Gods and the Earths)’s philosophical teachings. Five-Percent Nation, which has had a big impact on the New York hip hop scene, teaches that God dwells in all black men. It makes sense that men who know of these teachings would be more powerful than those who who do not because they are aware of the divine inside themselves.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

Mathematical wordplay. Of course, squared and double do not mean the same thing.  To double a number is to multiply it by two, to square a number is to multiply it by itself.  Common is one nightmare squared and Canibus is one nightmare squared.  1 squared + 1 squared = 1 + 1, which equals 2 nightmares, double the original number (1).   From a different standpoint,  2 squared is the same as 2 doubled: 2 x 2, which equals  4.   Canibus and Common (2 rappers) squared (2 x 2) equals the same sum of rappers as Canibus and Common doubled: 4 rappers.

The second layer of meaning is that that their lyrical threat goes double for rappers not up on their [Supreme Mathematics](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Mathematics#Supreme_Mathematics), a concept that is part of the Five-Percent Nation (Nation of the Gods and the Earths)'s philosophical teachings. [Five-Percent Nation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five-Percent_Nation), which has had a big impact on the New York hip hop scene, teaches that God dwells in all black men.  It makes sense that men who know of these teachings would be more powerful than those who who do not because they are aware of the divine inside themselves.

report abuse

1,067

7 years

Its two MCs, each of them is twice as nice: 2 * 2 = 4, 2² = 4.

Upvote +1 Downvote

Show all improvement suggestions

Stressin' how hardcore and real she is
She was really the realest, before she got into showbiz Common – I Used to Love H.E.R.

Genius Annotation 2 Contributors ?

What is this?

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

Gangsta rap, says Common, isn’t really what hip-hop’s about, so rappers need to be real about their past.

Common showcases the literary device called POLYPTOTON, in which words derived from the same root are repeated: real, really and realest.

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

Out goes the weave, in goes the braids, beads, medallions Common – I Used to Love H.E.R.

Genius Annotation 3 Contributors ?

What is this?

To learn more about participating in the Genius Editorial project, check out the contributor guidelines.

From a 1990 Chicago Tribune article

In recent months, Africa-shaped medallions, clothing made of African kente cloth and Malcolm X T-shirts have become popular among school-age children. Some youths said the trend has made it easier for them to express their cultural awareness

A Tribe Called Quest rocked this look in the early 1990’s:

This video is processing – it'll appear automatically when it's done.

report abuse

« Previous 1 2 … 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Next »

What is this?

What is this?

What is this?

What is this?

What is this?

What is this?

What is this?

Integrate the suggestion into the annotation, keeping the contributor guidelines in mind.