Big Daddy Kane For President. He Rocks Russia With R.A.W. Not WAR (Video)

Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Big Daddy Kane became a global Hip-Hop ambassador. From his roots in New York City rap battles, Antonio Hardy’s brilliant rhyme schemes, supreme confidence, and rich subject matter reached the world, and it left a mark. Across color lines and language barriers, so many out there hung on this MC’s every word and just wanted to be like him. More than 30 years after Long Live The Kane, that power and reach are still quite evident.

At this month’s 2019 V1 Festival in Saint-Petersburg, Russia, King Asiatic rocked a 40-minute concert in the round. With the audience surrounding him in the intimate venue, the 50-year-old world-class MC showed that he is still one of the greatest musical performers of all-timeā€”and very much a man of the people.

Big Daddy Kane Freestyles & Discusses His Place In Rap History (AFH TV Video)

Sporting a shirt representing Saint-Petersburg, Kane gets beyond busy. He performs solo hits like “Set It Off,” “Smooth Operator,” and “Raw.” He also does some of his seminal Juice Crew work. However, B.D.K. also splashes deeper cuts from the 2000s, like his verse on Big L’s “Platinum Plus” and a real rarity in the D&D All-Stars’ “Hot Sh*t” verse. He also uses an interlude at the show to honor fallen peers including Jam Master Jay, Eazy-E, MCA, Biggie Smalls, Tupac Shakur, Heavy D, Guru, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, and D.I.T.C.’s own Big L.

Near the 26:00 mark, the legendary MC takes his set into the crowd, shoulder-to-shoulder with the people. He invites breakers to the stage, and allows many show-goers to get a shout out on the mic and participate. Even with some translation from the P.A. between songs, this show is the essence of Hip-Hop: a global, multi-cultural party with a second-to-none MC.

Big Daddy Kane & Kool G Rap Battle Song-For-Song, In Concert (Video)

This October, Kane will be inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall Of Fame alongside past collaborator 9th Wonder and others. The event is open to the public. Last year, B.D.K. made a guest appearance on Ghostface Killah’s The Lost Tapes.

There are several Big Daddy Kane interviews, along with freestyles, available at AFH TV. We are currently offering free 7-day subscriptions.