Big Daddy Kane

The First BET Awards 2023 Hip-Hop 50 Performance Featured Big Daddy Kane, MC Lyte, And Sugarhill Gang

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The 2023 BET Awards paid tribute to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with a massive slate of decades-spanning performances. The first, taking place just after Lil Uzi Vert’s opening performance of “Just Wanna Rock,” included Sugarhill Gang performing their career hit, “Rapper’s Delight” and an appearance from MC Lyte performing “Cha Cha Cha,” as well as D-Nice (yes, that D-Nice) with “Call Me D-Nice,” and Big Daddy Kane rapping “Raw,” all accompanied by DJ Kid Capri on the wheels of steel. A Biz Markie tribute followed as the crowd sang along to “Just A Friend.” And that was all in the first ten minutes.

There are a ton of performers left to hit the stage, including Kid ‘N Play, Uncle Luke, Warren G, E-40, Fat Joe, Ja Rule, Master P, Remy Ma, Trick Daddy, Trina, the Ying Yang Twins, Chief Keef, Soulja Boy, and Tyga. More contemporary performances are set to include 2023 nominees Coco Jones, Doechii, GloRilla, and more.

The BET Awards aren’t the only ones paying homage to 50 years of hip-hop. The Grammys put on a 10-minute show to celebrate, while UPROXX has held it down with interviews with Just Blaze and Rhymesayers. Stay tuned for more BET Awards coverage as the ceremony continues.

Kendrick Lamar & J. Cole Praised By Big Daddy Kane For Being “True To Lyricism”

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It’s always great to see the old guard compliment the new, especially these days when hip-hop seems more splintered than ever. However, rappers like the legendary Big Daddy Kane are here to remind us that there are still traditions and skills that have endured throughout the years. During an interview with AllHipHop on Saturday (June 10), the Juice Crew MC spoke on the evolution of lyricism. Specifically, he spoke on Paragraphs I Manifest, his upcoming Netflix documentary that will apparently center around similar topics. His breakdown included shoutouts to not just Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole, but also to the Griselda camp and Lady London.

“When you look at the era of the Melle Mel, Grandmaster Caz and Kool Moe Dee and then you see how it evolved and became Rakim and KRS-One, and then you see how it evolved again in the era of Nas, Biggie and Jay-Z, from a lyrical standpoint, you want to see it keep evolving,” Big Daddy Kane shared. “By the time the ’90s came around, hip-hop had become so commercial, that it was more important about having commercial songs and something more simplistic.

Read More: All Of J. Cole’s Biggest Public Beefs

Big Daddy Kane Performs At TrillerVerz

Big Daddy Kane
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: Big Daddy Kane performs during TrillerVerz at Barclays Center on October 17, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images)

“A lot of the artists that came after that, their mindset wasn’t really on being lyrical, it was on writing catchy songs,” he continued. “That’s really where their mindset was. So when you see people like J. Cole, Benny The Butcher, Conway The Machine, Kendrick Lamar and Lady London, I have a special respect for that because they’re true to lyricism.” Of course, this is far from the first time that Big Daddy Kane praised these MCs in particular for their talents.

“J. Cole is my hero,” he expressed earlier this year. “That’s my dude right there. J. Cole is my hero. I love Kendrick as well. Rhapsody, Lady London. Lady London is a monster. She is incredible.” What’s more is that rappers like Cole are able to bring that sensibility to even the most mainstream of rap trends and sounds of the moment. His recent Lil Durk collab, “All My Life,” has been one of the most praised rap tracks of the year so far. Meanwhile, Kendrick keeps wowing audiences of every fandom with every huge festival he headlines. For the latest news and updates on Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Big Daddy Kane, stay up to date on HNHH.

Read More: Kendrick Lamar Net Worth 2023: How Much Is The Rapper Worth?

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The post Kendrick Lamar & J. Cole Praised By Big Daddy Kane For Being “True To Lyricism” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Fat Joe Says Big Daddy Kane Cut Him Off From Biggie & Tupac Cypher

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Although a legend in his own right, Fat Joe lost out on the opportunity from joining Biggie and Tupac in a cypher during a Big Daddy Kane show. However, the Terror Squad rapper thanks the “Smooth Operator” hitmaker for preventing him from embarrassing himself. During an episode of Angie Martinez’s Iconic Records podcast, Fat Joe detailed the freestyle session, which took place at the 1993 Budweiser Fest at Madison Square Garden. Joe explained that he was in the front row when Biggie and ‘Pac walked through the tunnel to an uproar from the audience.

“The whole crowd’s like, ‘Ahhh!’ They couldn’t believe it was ‘Pac and Big,” Joe recalled. He recalled Tupac inviting him on stage where they delivered the iconic live freestyle. However, the Bronx rapper said he was “nervous as hell” to join the two legends on stage as he didn’t have any rhymes prepared. “You want to talk about standing next to somebody, I was on fucking stage with Biggie and ‘Pac! [I was] nervous as hell because all I had was ‘Flow Joe,’ I ain’t have no bars ready, fucking nothing,” he said.

Big Daddy Kane Intervenes

The microphone got passed around the stage with Tupac and Biggie delivering an incredibly rare performance together. However, once it got to Joe, Big Daddy Kane intervened and prevented him from dishing out bars. “They passed me the mic. ‘Yo, Fat Joe!’ Then Big Daddy Kane interrupted and goes, ‘Yo, yo, we ain’t go no time’ … It’s ok, Big Daddy Kane, I love you,” he said. “Big Daddy Kane might have saved me ’cause I would’ve did some bullshit.”

Kane previously corroborated this claim, although he didn’t seem aware that Fat Joe was unprepared. During an appearance on Drink Champs, he explained that he was signaled to wrap up his set, which ultimately led him to grab the microphone from Joe. “Joe was next up to rhyme when they gave me the ‘wrap it up,’ like, ‘You got five minutes.’ So I wasn’t even able to bring Joe on, but Joe was standing with the mic ready,” Kane recalled. “If I would’ve had five more minutes, he would’ve been on there, real talk.”

Women’s History Month: The Female Lyrical Assassins Of Battle Rap

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Female Battle Rappers

While battle rap has been primarily dominated by men, these women are lyrical assassins in the rap cypher. They step to anybody that wants heat and have broken battle rap barriers that have provided a voice for women in rap beyond the Billboard charts. From Battle Rapping In The Park … Any hip-hop head of […]

The post Women’s History Month: The Female Lyrical Assassins Of Battle Rap appeared first on SOHH.com.

Ice-T Stopped Making Solo Records Because Rap Became “Goofy”

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He’s been around the Hip Hop block with a career that has outlasted several of his peers, and Ice-T dropped off an interesting opinion about the evolution of the culture. It has shaped up to be a busy season for the hitmaker as he has celebrated his accolades. Ice-T received his star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame amid the Grammys tribute in honor of Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary. Understandably, outlets have been clamoring to speak with him about where the genre has landed in this generation.

In a chat with Variety, the outlet noted that Ice-T received a Grammy nomination as recently as 2020. It was in connection with his group Body Count, but Ice was asked why he stopped making solo records after 2006. “Hip Hop changed. The music got goofy to me,” said the Rap icon. “The kids started looking weird. It all turned into something I wasn’t comfortable with.”

Ice-T Reflects On The Shift In Hip Hop

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 17: Ice-T attends a ceremony as he is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 17, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)

“There was a point where I was selling tons of records, then it cooled off. I felt a certain way,” Ice continued. However, he recognized he wasn’t the only artist with that problem. “Then I realized Public Enemy, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, and Wu-Tang Clan weren’t selling records, either. There was a paradigm shift. These kids got softer, and soft is not something I’m able to give audiences.”

“The first word in Hip Hop is ‘hip’ so how something stays hip for over ten years is difficult,” he continued. “Besides, I still do my ‘Ice-T: Art of Rap’ shows, which is my legacy Hip Hop. Think of it like seeing Frank Sinatra. You want to hear the classics.” Elsewhere, he also acknowledges he has been acting in various aspects of his career since its inception, including his 1990s hit, “Cop Killer.” Ice-T is one of the longest-running actors on Law & Order, and he told Variety his talents stretched to his music career.

Ice-T Explains Acting In His Music Career

CHICAGO – 1988: Rapper and actor Ice-T poses for a photo after his performance at the Regal Theater in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

“I’m acting in both. I never killed a cop. In ‘Cop Killer,’ I play a man who was mad at the police,” said Ice-T. “Snapped and went after them based on police brutality. That’s acting. Where the media glossed it, is when they said that it was really Ice-T saying to go kill the police. I didn’t do that. The same is true of SVU. I’m not a cop. I’m the furthest thing from a cop. As far as the dilemma with police now — yeah, it is difficult.”

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Today in Hip-Hop History: Biz Markie Dropped His Debut Album ‘Goin’ Off’ 35 Years Ago

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On this date in the infamous year of 1988, the late, great “Human Orchestra” Biz Markie released his debut full-length album Goin’ Off on Cold Chillin’/Warner Brothers Records.

Produced exclusively by legendary Queensbridge superproducer DJ Marley Marl, Goin Off introduced singer TJ Swan and a then-unknown rapper named Big Daddy Kane. The Brooklyn protege of Biz Mark also wrote the first five songs on the album and was even the subject on the second verse of one of Biz’s most famous songs from the ten-track album, “Vapors.”

Forget that he was a member of the World Famous Juice Crew. With several timeless gems from the album, including “Nobody Beats The Biz,” “The Biz Dance,” and “Make The Music With Your Mouth,” Biz Mark solidified his position in the game single-handedly with his debut release. Back in 1998, this album was even listed by The Source’s Mind Squad as one of The Best 100 Rap Albums of all time.

Salute to the Biz(RIP), Marley, TJ Swan, Kane, Shante, Fly Ty, and the rest of the Juice Crew and the Cold Chillin’ crew who made this album a piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Biz Markie Dropped His Debut Album ‘Goin’ Off’ 35 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Rock The Bells Announces Lineup for First-Ever Timeless Hip Hop Cruise with Rick Ross, Lil Jon, Ghostface, and More For Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary

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Rock The Bells (RTB), the global platform dedicated to elevating Hip-Hop culture from its roots to the modern day, announced the lineup for “Rock The Bells Cruise: A Hip-Hop Experience” in partnership with Sixthman, the industry leader in unforgettable music and lifestyle festivals at sea. 

The lineup features Hip-Hop’s most notable icons, including Rick Ross, Lil Jon, Big Boi, DJ Jazzy Jeff, MC Lyte, Ghostface Killah, Trina & Trick Daddy, Just Blaze, Big Daddy Kane, Too $hort, Slick Rick, DJ Spinderella, Mannie Fresh, Pete Rock, DJ Quik, Rah Digga, EPMD, Bun B, Bahamadia, Grandmaster Caz, DJ Scratch, The Finisher Mister Cee, DJ EPPS, DJ Nina 9, Grandmaster Dee, Technician The DJ, and DJ Critical Hype. Hosted by Roxanne Shanté & Torae, attendees will also experience a pool deck party series presented by world-renowned party rocker Kid Capri. 

Commenting on the cruise, legendary Hip-Hop artist and host Roxanne stated: “How could I not Rock the Boat with the Goat? LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells keep the culture afloat. Please believe it.” Too $hort added, “Rock The Bells is Hip-Hop History, and they’re working to MAKE history!”

While the cruise is “sold out,” fans can still go to the website rockthebellscruise.com to sign up for the waiting list, where rooms are offered as they become available.

The post Rock The Bells Announces Lineup for First-Ever Timeless Hip Hop Cruise with Rick Ross, Lil Jon, Ghostface, and More For Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary appeared first on The Source.

Rap Legend Big Daddy Kane Called J. Cole His ‘Hero’ And Explained What He Loved About Migos

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Rap fans might be used to older artists finding fault with contemporary stars, but at least one of hip-hop’s early pioneers had some high praise for rap’s reigning hitmakers. Big Daddy Kane, who is often credited alongside Rakim for sparking one of hip-hop’s earliest stylistic shifts, introducing complex, multisyllabic rhyme schemes and punchlines into slower tempo grooves, called out two names in particular when he was asked about the modern class of artists by Houston radio station 97.9 The Box: J. Cole and Migos.

Calling J. Cole his “hero,” he also gave credit to Kendrick Lamar and Rapsody, as well as battle rapper Lady Luck. He then laments the loss of Takeoff, saying, “I was so hoping to see another Migos album.” He explained his enjoyment for Migos, comparing them to some of his own peers. “Their style reminded me of The Funky Four Plus 1 More with their in-and-out thing. I’m a fan of their music and their fashion.”

Kanye previously praised Cole in 2021, calling him his favorite MC. “This is the brother right here that makes me feel like hip-hop is still alive and it’s here to stay when I listen to this here brother spit and listen to his music,” he said.

Big Daddy Kane Calls J. Cole His “Hero,” Praises Migos, Rapsody, & More

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Hailed as a Rap pioneer with unmatched influence in Hip Hop, people listen when Big Daddy Kane speaks. In 2021, Verzuz paid homage to Rap’s veterans by hosting a show featuring Kane and KRS-One. Several other classic Hip Hop artists joined them for the celebration, proving that from one generation to the next, Hip Hop has an elite class of hitmakers.

Recently, the “I Get the Job Done” artist sat down with 97.9 The Box and was asked which current rappers he admires. “J. Cole is my hero,” said Kane.

Read More: Big Daddy Kane & KRS-One Trade Hits On Star-Studded “Verzuz”

He called Cole “my dude,” while also praising Kendrick Lamar before continuing his list.

“Rapsody. Lady London is a must. She is incredible,” he also shared. “And…man. I was so hoping and praying to see another Migos album because their style reminded me of the Funky 4 + 1 with their in-and-out thing. I’m a fan of their music.”

Funky 4 + 1 was a Bronx-based Hip Hop group that existed from the late 1970s to the early ’80s. The crew consisted of Jazzy Jeff, Sharon Green, D.J. Breakout, Guy Williams, Keith Keith, The Voice of K.K., and Rodney Stone.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 17: KRS 1, Big Daddy Kane and Fat Joe attend TrillerVerz Featuring KRS 1 vs Big Daddy Kane at Barclays Center on October 17, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)
Read More: Takeoff Murder: New Details Emerge About Dice Game Shooting

Kane also applauded Migos’s fashion sense because “you got to be fly.” He added, “Those dudes be fly.”

Migos were hit with devastating news following the November 1 death of member Takeoff. The rapper was a guest at a private party in Houston when a verbal altercation turned deadly. Someone opened fire, striking the beloved rapper. Police noted that Takeoff was an innocent bystander who wasn’t involved in the disagreement.

Patrick Clark has been arrested on charges of murder. He and his lawyer contend Clark isn’t responsible for Takeoff’s death. Clark was released on $1 million bond reportedly paid for by a “concerned citizen” who believes in his innocence.