Video After The Jump
In this episode of "People's Party With Talib Kweli," Kweli and Jasmin Leigh sit down with rapper, writer and actor:
The King Asiatic Nobody's Equal, Dark Gable, Blackanova, Count Macula...
BIG DADDY KANE
Truly a legend among legends and always a top contender in the conversation for the greatest of all-time, Kane blessed us with one of our best. Here's what we covered:
• The origins of his name coming from the show 'Kung Fu' and film 'Beach Party'.
• How Five Percent Nation teachings have inspired Kane through his life and career.
• Getting the attention of Marley Marl through his friendship with Biz Markie.
• The Bridge Wars rivalry and being stuck on the Juice Crew side while friends with KRS-One.
• His hometown of Brooklyn and the sights and sounds there that influenced his writing.
• Working with Rudy Ray Moore on 'Big Daddy Vs. Dolemite'.
• The legacy of Brooklyn emcee Jaz-O.
• Acknowledging Kane's influence on Eminem's pen game.
• All the reasons why 1988 should be considered the best year in hip hop.
• Sex and violence in hip hop and how the radio and censorship has shifted.
• The significance of the flat top hair cut to Kane and his legacy.
• An update on the potential for a Verzuz battle between Kane and Rakim.
• Mentoring the Wu-Tang Clan and a classic ODB drunk out of his mind story.
• Recording with 2Pac and MC Hammer at Death Row studios.
• Black Thought's style being a combination of Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap.
• Kane's "all over the place" approach to subject matter in his rhymes.
• Activism being a trend and celebrating victories while not losing sight of the big picture.
• The reason why Kane chose to make his move to Raleigh, North Carolina.
• Forming the band Las Supper with singer Showtime and what it's like to be on tour with them.
TIME STAMPS:
3:02 -- Kane elaborates on the origins of his name taken from the character of David Caine from the TV show 'Kung Fu' as well as the Big Daddy from the film 'Beach Party'. Talib tells Kane about him being his son's first favorite rapper, Kane reflects on everyone thinking he was older than he really was when he first hit the scene at age 19 and Jasmin asks Kane how the Five Percent Nation teachings have influenced him and which parts of the doctrine he's held onto over the years. Kane also touches on how he always found purpose in opening other people's eyes about knowledge-of-self, especially those who needed it most.
12:12 -- Talib turns the conversation to Biz Markie and notes how much being on tour with him so early on in his career gave him a leg up. Kane also tells how Biz's health is currently, how long it's been since he's been able to speak with him and he tells the classic story of how he got the attention of Marley Marl through knowing Biz, leading to his eventual signing with Cold Chillin'. They also discuss the Bridge Wars rivalry between BDP and the Juice Crew and how Kane felt being a battle rapper from Brooklyn caught in the middle, having close ties with KRS-One. Jasmin also asks Kane what he thought it was that made people want to emulate him even outside the realm of hip hop.
21:16 -- Kane speaks of his hometown of Brooklyn and all the incredible emcees that it produced following his first stepping on the scene. He reflects on his starting to write in 1982 and the things around him growing up in BK that influenced his pen game. Kane also tells about how Eric B. connected him with Rudy Ray Moore to make 'Big Daddy Vs. Dolemite' and what the scene was like with Rudy in the studio in full form. Talib then asks Kane to speak on rapper Jaz-O and how he fits into the legacy of Brooklyn emcees, him being the hottest unsigned artist in BK early on.
29:55 -- Kane is asked about his memories of being on tour with Jaz-O and Jay-Z before Jay was known, and if he saw signs of his potential to become one of the future GOATs back then. Kane talks about his long-time friends and back-up dancers Scoob & Scrap as well as his DJ Mister Cee and how it's always been a family thing. Kane also talks about receiving an intervention from Jay-Z and Sauce Money during the making of 'Show N Prove', Sauce being the funniest when he's upset, Kane is asked if he recognized his influence on Eminem when he was blowing up and Kane talks about what he thinks of Em as a lyricist.
39:12 -- Talib tells how Kane's 'Ain't No Half Steppin'' shattered his previous perspective of the definition of cool when he dropped that track. He illustrates the moment he heard the song come on the radio, his reaction, he lists the albums that made 1988 his favorite year in hip hop, and he asks Kane if he has a favorite year that comes to mind. They go on to discuss the changes that took place during '88, why Kane felt it was important to portray black royalty on the cover of his album 'Long Live The Kane' as well as his thoughts on sex, violence and diversity in hip hop and how the radio and censorship has changed over the years.
52:15 -- Kane gives the history behind why he used his flat top as a focal point for him and his crew since the beginning, becoming one of his trademarks. Talib thanks Kane for songs like 'Young Gifted & Black' as well as 'Lean On Me'. Jasmin asks Kane for any updates on a potential Verzuz battle between him and Rakim, they discuss Kane's influence on the Wu-Tang Clan, meeting the GZA when he started out with Cold Chillin', as well as the first time Kane saw the WU perform and inviting ODB and Shyhiem to his friend's Birthday party afterwards. Kane then goes on to tell a hilarious story about ODB drunk out of his mind asking Kane for the keys to his Pathfinder.
1:03:08 -- Kane gets asked about what it was like to record with 2Pac. He talks about first meeting Pac at a Tyson fight in Vegas and taking a plane back to LA the following day to record two tracks in Death Row studios along with MC Hammer. Talib notes his feelings of Black Thought being a combination of Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap. He asks Kane how he felt when he first heard Black Thought emulate him and G Rap on 'Boom!', as well as the full circle moment of performing with him at Dave Chappelle's Block Party. Kane also tells how his DJ Mister Cee has been doing and gives him his props for always being so dependable.
1:11:49 -- Kane touches on his "all over the place" approach to writing. Choosing the subject matter in the moment, based on how he's feeling at the time and what he sees going on around him. He also notes his respect for those that write with a single mission in mind like Public Enemy. Jasmin brings up Kane's recent song 'Enough' about police brutality, they discuss why it's so important that people take advantage of activism trending, celebrating the victories of more black representation in positions of power but not overlooking the big picture of how much it's really helping on the ground level with the people that need it most.
1:19:59 -- Kane talks about his move to Raleigh, North Carolina after New York no longer resembled the New York he remembers growing up. Talib goes on to bring up Kane having some of the best breath control in hip hop despite his having asthma and asks him if he feels that extra challenge helped or hurt him. They also discuss Kane forming the band Las Supper with singer Showtime. Kane tells how much he's appreciated having Showtime and the Lifted Crew by his side during his live shows, they talk about Kane's podcast on the way focusing on many untold stories over his life and career, and Kane's asked if he has anything coming down the line music-wise.
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