Feb. 19, 2018 | Abby O’Neill — One of the greatest to ever bless the mic, Big Daddy Kane treated Tiny Desk to an office block party in the true essence of hip-hop. He performed a short set of classics, including “Smooth Operator,” “Ain’t No Half Steppin’,” “Raw” and a bonus freestyle. Through his warm, engaging and devilishly self-effacing style, the pioneer used an interlude between songs to address the intergenerational divisiveness defining rap today and the importance of fans of all ages supporting whatever they like, while “focusing on what’s positive and keeping that in the spotlight.”
Kane, aka Dark Gable, was a breakout member of the seminal Juice Crew in hip-hop’s golden era during the latter part of the 1980s. He popularized quick-cadence flows and multisyllabic rhyme schemes before passing the torch to early mentees like Jay-Z. Many a night during my adolescence was spent trying to memorize the baritone MC’s lyrics. During those sessions, I could only feel sympathy for the subpar MCs who fell victim to the “Wrath of Kane.”
The smooth operator, Big Daddy Kane, still emits that same palpable swag he did as a lyrical heartthrob during his heyday. He strides into the room and fully commands it with his presence. And now that hip-hop is the most popular genre, with its biggest stars wielding global influence, it’s important to us here at Tiny Desk to continue to make room for the legends who laid the foundation before the whole world became hip. Long live the Kane.
SET LIST
• “Raw”
• “Smooth Operator”
• “Ain’t No Half Steppin”
• “Freestyle”
MUSICIANS
Antonio Hardy, Matt Lambert, Benjamin Geis, Judson Nelson, John Williams
CREDITS
Producers: Abby O’Neill, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern, Alyse Young; Assistant Editor: Dani Lyman; Production Assistant: CJ Riculan; Photo: Claire Harbage/NPR.
Kane one of the greatest. So sharp live too. As a Roots fan, I can’t help but notice how Black Thought, a great from the next generation, clearly modeled his style after Kane! Not to speak of Biggie and Jay Z.
Long Live the KANE!!!
What's he doing these days?
Walkin Legend.
J Minor is Xope!
BIG DADDDDYYTTT GOATTTTTTTTTTTTT God amoung men
The way he controls the crowd, band, and his own lyrics is TRULY the definition of mc.
Yes-Yes-Yes
I Love Me Some Big Daddy Kane Ayyyyyeeeeeee!!!!!
What A G
Ok so I don’t know what the relationship is but this sounds like the Mary Jane Girls produced by Rick James all night Long
This was superb.
The band were impeccable.
The lyrics spoken to perfection.
'SUP KANE!
Kane one of the greatest. So sharp live too. As a Roots fan, I can’t help but notice how Black Thought, a great from the next generation, clearly modeled his style after Kane! Not to speak of Biggie and Jay Z.
How can I thumbs up this video multiple times! BDK is awesome and STILL got it!
Respect. Respect.
he's cool in person!
Modern day jazz
Fact: listening to this will make you listen to it again!
I want to tune his sax so bad.
Just nodded my head off….
When the pen hits the paper…….
BIG DADDY MAC MC MASTERPIECE!!!
God's children always come raw
one of the best 20 minutes in my life!!! BDK is a murda!!! i listen to real Hip Hop since 1988. now i am 45 years old.
Just good lyrics that makes You (everyone) feel good❤
Me, I like his raps but it's late 90s style mixed with chill…not for me but I would listen to the band and big daddy separate
rap GOD
This is so good, 4 yrs later I keep coming back
Big Daddy Kane shows you why they throw Big Daddy in front of Kane right here lol
Confidence
I have to confess …. I have slept on BDK… I'm ashamed of myself… from here forth I will no longer.
What kind of mic is on the video?
Timeless !!!