big daddy kane Archives

A New Book Details The Rich Hip-Hop History Of NYC’s Latin Quarter Club

In No Half Steppin': An Oral and Pictorial History of New York City Club the Latin Quarter and the Birth of Hip-Hop's Golden Era, legendary musician, archivist, and activist Claude "Paradise" Gray shares over 175 color photographs and flyers. Along with Giuseppe "u.net" Pipitone, Paradise has provided scholars of Hip-Hop... Read more

November 15, 2016 Food for Thought, Lifestyle

Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap & More Takeover The Roots Picnic New York (Video)

This past weekend, The Roots held the first ever New York version of their annual picnic. Pulling out all the stops, they expanded the traditionally one day festival into two days, and built a star-studded lineup. Participating acts included Wu-Tang Clan, D'Angelo, David Byrne, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Swizz Beatz, EPMD,... Read more

October 3, 2016 Video

The Symphony 2016 ft Kane, G Rap, Royce, Monch, Black Thought, Freeway & More (Video)

This weekend, The Roots hosted their first ever Roots Picnic in New York City. Held in Bryant Park, near Times Square, the two-day affair billed D'Angelo, Wu-Tang Clan, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Swizz Beatz, EPMD, John Mayer, David Byrne, The Jungle Brothers and many more. There were also a number of... Read more

October 2, 2016 Video

Big Daddy Kane Releases His Best Verse In A Decade. He Still Kills At Will (Video)

In February of this year, Joell Ortiz and producer Domingo released the song, "Kill At Will." The standout track, with its Big Daddy Kane "Set It Off" cut-in at the chorus, is included on the That's Hip Hop album. The single showcased a hungry, fresh-faced MC Token, who had previously... Read more

September 26, 2016 Video

Big Daddy Kane Says He Intentionally Released “Two Trash Albums” After “It’s A Big Daddy Thing”

For fans of late 80s and early 90s Hip-Hop, there were few, if any MCs who commanded more respect than Big Daddy Kane. His first two albums, Long Live The Kane and It's A Big Daddy Thing, stand among the greatest of all time, in any era. However, many of... Read more

July 31, 2016 Throwback

Craig G Details The Making Of “The Symphony,” Including Who Wrote What (Video)

This month, Queens, New York MC Craig G released his seventh studio album, I Rap And Go Home. The Soulspazm Records effort features Buckshot, Ras Kass, and Jarobi of A Tribe Called Quest, among others. The battle-tested lyricist has enjoyed a professional recording career that has endured more than 30... Read more

June 10, 2016 Throwback, Video

No Sucker MCs Can Escape The Wrath Of Joell Ortiz, Token & Big Daddy Kane (Video)

In March, Joell Ortiz and producer Domingo released a high-powered project titled That's Hip-Hop. The collaborative album was a return to hard drums and pure lyricism, what both men saw as the foundation of Rap. In speaking with Ambrosia For Heads, Ortiz said of the LP "Me and Domingo are... Read more

May 31, 2016 Video

Listen To The Best Hip-Hop Of April 2016 In One Playlist (Audio)

For years to come, April 2016 will be remembered as the month that brought purple snow in the form of Prince's death. In the wake of his departure, there have been countless tributes in the form of covers of his songs, new releases dedicated to him, and vaulted gems that... Read more

May 3, 2016 Audio

Prince & Big Daddy Kane’s 1989 “Batdance Remix” Is Finally Released (Audio)

In 1989, the Batman franchise relaunched with the title film starring Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson, and Kim Basinger. For the soundtrack, Warner Bros. Records tapped Prince for an entire album companion to the blockbuster film. Led by single "Batdance," Prince's 11th album (and a #1 on the charts) appeared to... Read more

April 24, 2016 Audio, Throwback

Phonte Explains Why Big Daddy Kane Is The Reason He Became An MC (Audio)

Phonte is the latest guest on The Cipher Show Podcast. For episode #146, the Greensboro, North Carolina native MC/singer spoke about the evolution of his career. A founder of Little Brother and Foreign Exchange, "Tigallo" had an hour-and-a-half discussion with Shawn Setaro on topics ranging from his "Percy Miracles" character,... Read more

March 15, 2016 Audio

Mister Cee Explains Why Biggie’s “Ready To Die” Sounds Like 2 Different Albums

This morning (March 9), Brooklyn, New York DJ/producer/radio personality Mister Cee appeared on Sway In The Morning. On the 19th anniversary of The Notorious B.I.G.'s tragic (and unsolved) murder, Cee recalled his hand in turning a street-corner MC into arguably Rap's greatest ever. Beginning the interview, Mister Cee recalls friend... Read more

March 9, 2016 Throwback

Big Daddy Kane Tells The Story Of The Night He & Tupac Recorded Together (Video)

Throughout the 1990s, Tupac Shakur and Big Daddy Kane maintained a friendship. It was during Kane's 1993 Manhattan show that 'Pac and The Notorious B.I.G., with Scoob and Shyheim The Rugged Child, famously spit their iconic freestyles together. However, Tupac and Kane would also record together. One song, reportedly titled "Too Late... Read more

January 14, 2016 Video

Big Daddy Kane Returns To Acting, Opposite Keanu Reeves In This Trailer (Video)

In addition to one of Rap's most respected musical careers, Big Daddy Kane is also a professional actor. The Brooklyn, New York native starred in 1990s films like Meteor Man and Posse, before making a return to Hollywood in the 2000s. Recently, Big Daddy Kane has been touring, recording, and... Read more

December 7, 2015 TV/Film, Video

Nearly 25 Years Ago, KRS-One & Friends Urged Us to Heal Ourselves. Have We? (Video)

It was the early '90s and KRS-One had spearheaded the formation of H.E.A.L., a group of artists whose ideologies promoted knowledge, self-awareness, political involvement, and truth seeking. In fact, H.E.A.L. stood for Human Education Against Lies, and as KRS shared with Vibe back in 2012, the inspiration for H.E.A.L.'s formation... Read more

November 19, 2015 Do Remember

DMX May Truly Be Rakim’s Biggest Fan. Watch Them Meet To See Why (Video)

Two years ago, DMX and Rakim released collaborative single "Don't Call Me." The two storied New York City MCs worked together for the first time on the song, and had only ever met briefly before. Street Heat TV cameras recently caught the multi-platinum DMX in rare form when he encountered... Read more

October 30, 2015 Video

Big Daddy Kane Reveals KRS-One Is The Battle He Really Wanted & Why It Never Happened (Video)

Big Daddy Kane was a recent guest on Ed Lover's Sirius XM Backspin show. In addition to adding some context to his championing Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' willingness to work with and support Hip-Hop pioneers, B.D.K. looked back at key career moments with the former "Yo! MTV Raps" co-host. Ed... Read more

October 23, 2015 Video

Jay Z Reacts to His First TV Appearance & Recalls Battling Busta Rhymes in High School (Video)

Last night (October 20), Jay Z appeared as a guest on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." The ABC television program has been taping in Brooklyn, New York this week, reportedly just walking distance from Jay's 560 State Street hustling residence in the pre-Roc-A-Fella Records days (as chronicled on "Empire State Of Mind").... Read more

October 21, 2015 Video

Big Daddy Kane Celebrates Macklemore For Working With Hip-Hop’s Pioneers (Video)

One of the more polarizing occurrences in Hip-Hop this year has been Macklemore's song "Downtown." Since his massive ascension in 2012, the Seattle MC has had both passionate supporters and vitriolic haters, with little in between. The divide was only heightened when Macklemore won the 2014 Grammy Award for Best... Read more

October 19, 2015 Video

Big Daddy Kane’s Long Live The Kane vs. Eric B. & Rakim’s Follow The Leader. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

October 16, 2015 Finding the GOAT

These 1980s Hip-Hop Albums Reach Round 2, With One Battle Left To Be Decided

Last month, Ambrosia For Heads returned to "Finding The GOAT," our annual voting series that polls readers and fans to determine the Greatest Of All-Time. Following 2014-2015's quest to use votes to determine the GOAT MC, we are asking readers to determine the greatest of all-time Hip-Hop album. “Finding The... Read more

October 11, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Big Daddy Kane’s It’s A Big Daddy Thing vs. Queen Latifah’s All Hail The Queen. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

September 29, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Big Daddy Kane’s Long Live The Kane vs. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo’s Road To The Riches. What Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

September 18, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Melle Mel & Big Daddy Kane Vouch For Macklemore & Say Other Rappers Should “Hang Their Heads”

Throughout the last 10 days, a lot of attention has fallen upon Macklemore & Ryan Lewis' "Downtown." Already a video single from the Seattle, Washington, Grammy Award-winning, platinum act, the pair performed the song to open the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards two Sundays ago (August 30). Perhaps most pertinently,... Read more

September 9, 2015 News

Big Daddy Kane Defends Macklemore, Praises Inclusion Of Rap Pioneers

In 1994, Big Daddy Kane—a major label, gold-certified artist, appeared on the Treacherous Three's first album in a decade, Old School Flava. "We Wit' It" featured Kane, alongside Chuck D, Grandmaster Caz, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Heavy D, Tito, and the Treacherous Three lineup of Kool Moe Dee, Special K, and... Read more

September 1, 2015 News

45 King Recalls Early Days Of Queen Latifah & Jay Z, Reveals A Hit He Was Not Credited For (Audio)

In the canon of Hip-Hop producers, 45 King is among the most important. From break-beat compilations to remixes, seminal 1980s 12" singles, to Grammy Award-winning hits, the New Jersey-based DJ/producer born Mark James has nearly 30 years of highly-influential digging, sampling, and arranging. Whether Queen Latifah, Gang Starr, Eminem, or... Read more

July 27, 2015 Throwback

Big Daddy Kane, Whodini & The eMC Headline 38th Rocksteady Anniversary

The 38th annual Rocksteady Anniversary concert has been announced. The free Sunday July 26 event at New York City's Central Park Summer Stage will be headlined by Hip-Hop legends Big Daddy Kane, Whodini, and The eMC (Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Stricklin). Additional performers include Your Old Droog, Queen Herawin (The Juggaknots)... Read more

July 2, 2015 News

There Ain’t No Half Steppin’ On Chris Rivers’ Newest Throwback Freestyle (Audio)

Chris Rivers, son of the late Big Pun, has been going on lyrical tirades lately. From killer freestyles, to adding some of his own Horror-core influences, Rivers is proving to be a standout. He is properly following in Big Pun's footsteps by recording crazy bars of his own on his father's... Read more

June 26, 2015 Audio

GZA Pens An Editorial, Claiming Lyricism Is Absent Today. Do You Agree?

They don't just call him The Genius 'cause it sounds good. Wu-Tang Clan co-founder GZA has used his mental to open many doors. The Brooklyn, New York veteran MC lectures frequently at prestigious academic institutions, including Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The gold-certified MCA Records soloist has incorporated many... Read more

May 31, 2015 Fresh

Nas, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, MC Eiht & More Appear On Mr. Magic’s ’94 Mix (Audio)

John “Mr. Magic” Rivas will forever be respected as a radio pioneer who introduced Rap to the masses. In 1981, "Mr. Magic's Rap Attack" became the first ever exclusive Rap radio show to premiere on a major station (WHBI) and its historic impact on the music industry can still be... Read more

May 30, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT: The Match That Had to Happen – Big Daddy Kane vs. Rakim

The votes have been cast and the decision has been made. Eminem and Tupac will face off against one another in the final battle of the Finding the GOAT competition to name Hip-Hop's greatest MC (as determined by you). Since the elimination, bracket-style tournament was launched in September of 2014,... Read more

May 22, 2015 Throwback

Finding The GOAT (Final 4): Eminem vs. Big Daddy Kane…Who You Got?

Update: Polls have now closed There are now only 4 MCs remaining in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). Both Nas and The Notorious B.I.G. were dismissed at the winning hands of Tupac (even if it took a second, certified ballot in the Nas... Read more

May 15, 2015 Fresh

The People Have Spoken. Here Are The GOAT Competition Final 4 MCs

It's official. Ambrosia For Heads' "Finding The GOAT" MC competition has its final four. Approaching nine months in the making, and more than 200 MCs vetted, voters are nearing the finale. After some outed cheaters compromised the first run of the poll, Tupac Shakur's faithful fans will be pleased to... Read more

May 14, 2015 Fresh

Can An MC Be Considered The Greatest of All-Time After 5 Years? This Short Film Says YES (Video)

“Can it be that it was all so simple then?” The nostalgia effect is a strong one in Hip-Hop, and causes us not only to look back with optimistic revision, but also, at times, prevents us from embracing the greatness of late. It is not uncommon to hear someone argue... Read more

May 8, 2015 Video

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of April 2015 in One Playlist (Audio)

The month of April 2015 in Hip-Hop brought some welcomed surprises. A slew of artists released high quality freestyles over classic 90s beats, including Fabolous, Jadakiss, Styles P and Lloyd Banks, to name a few. Raekwon laid the groundwork for his F.I.L.A. (Fly International Luxurious Art) album, with releases featuring... Read more

May 5, 2015 Audio

Finding the GOAT: The Final 6 MCs Have Been Decided By YOU. Who Will Be The 1?

Round 5's polls have closed today (May 4). Although there was a late push, the definitive margins (and projected winners) held, by and large. With that, Ambrosia For Heads' "Finding The GOAT" series has its final 6 MCs. The Round 5 bye (Big Daddy Kane) returns to competitive combat for... Read more

May 4, 2015 Fresh

Mister Cee Reveals Slick Rick Once Fully Stepped to Big Daddy Kane…Strapped (Audio)

DJ Mister Cee is the latest guest on Cipha Sounds & Peter Rosenberg's Juan Epstein podcast/show. In Part 2 (Part 1 ran earlier this month), The Finisher speaks to his friends and former HOT 97 colleagues in depth about the two figures most closely associated with the Brooklyn, New York... Read more

April 29, 2015 Throwback

Agallah Gets A Career Highlight With A Fiery Big Daddy Kane (Audio)

While the EPMD family tree can quickly point to Redman, Das-EFX, DJ Scratch and Keith Murray as successful proteges, there are plenty more. As K-Solo was a verbal varsity "letterman," Craig Mack blossomed under the fold. Later on, in the '90s, "8-Off The Assassin" l/k/a "Agallah" was within the last... Read more

April 29, 2015 Audio

Finding the GOAT: Here Are Your Top 10 MCs + 1

The polls have closed and, after a fiercely competitive and unpredictable Round 4, 10 MCs advance to Round 5 (along with Rakim who had a bye), making a grand total of 11 rappers remaining in the quest to name Hip-Hop’s greatest MC, as determined by you. Since Round 1 began... Read more

April 26, 2015 Fresh

Hip-Hop Myths: Here Are 5 Common Misbeliefs That Will Surprise You

During its nascent period, Hip-Hop was dismissed by many as simply a passing fad, much like Disco. As we all can see now, those critics were drastically mistaken, and it has not only grown, but has become the most influential cultural presence in fashion, dance, language, art, and of course... Read more

April 26, 2015 Fresh

Few MCs Can Flow on a Big Daddy Kane Classic. Jadakiss is One of Them (Audio)

"Raw," "Ain't No Half Steppin'," "Smooth Operator"...Those are Big Daddy Kane classics, for sure, but for many Heads there is no finer lyrical performance from Kane than the one he dropped on 1989's "Young, Gifted and Black." There was no hook, no smooth R&B, just BDK detonating a two minute... Read more

April 24, 2015 Audio

Finding The GOAT (Round 4): Big Daddy Kane vs. Erick Sermon…Who You Got?

We have now reached the critical Round 4 in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 21 MCs remaining (with the largest winning margin, Rakim receives a bye for the round), things are really coming down to 10 match-ups, leading AFH’s bracket-style series towards... Read more

April 21, 2015 Throwback

This Throwback Hip-Hop VIDEO Mix Will Blow Your Mind (Video)

Here's an absolutely devastating throwback Hip-Hop video mix from UK DJ E Double D. The mix and song selection, from the late 80s and early 90s, would be enough but, the added layer of overlaying visuals takes it to a completely different level. E Double pulls out clips featuring Eric... Read more

April 20, 2015 Throwback

Finding the GOAT: These MCs Are Going to Round 4

The polls have closed and, after a fiercely competitive and unpredictable Round 3, there are only 21 MCs remaining in the quest to name Hip-Hop's greatest MC, as determined by you. Since Round 1 began in September, more than 200 MCs have been considered and millions of Hip-Hop fans have... Read more

April 12, 2015 Fresh

Listen to the Best Hip-Hop of March 2015 All in One Playlist (Audio)

Along with the start of Spring, the month of March brought much to celebrate in Hip-Hop. Action Bronson released Mr. Wonderful, his major label debut album. DJ EFN hit Heads off with a slew of amazing collaborations on his Another Time LP. Earl Sweatshirt fired the latest salvo from Odd... Read more

April 3, 2015 Audio

Watch Big Daddy Kane Tear Down the Stage in This Rare Concert Footage from 1999 (Video)

If you've ever been fortunate enough to witness a Big Daddy Kane show, live and direct, you know no one goes harder. In addition to top choice lyricism, Kane provides all-out choreography, complete with jumps, kick-stepping and even splits. Legendary DJ, and former Fat Beats staple, DJ Eclipse attended a... Read more

April 2, 2015 Throwback

Bumpy Knuckles & Big Daddy Kane Scorch Mics Over An Oddisee Beat (Audio)

For Heads paying attention, Bumpy Knuckles' Soundcloud page is the place to be. The Long Island, New York MC/producer regularly shares gems from his 29 years of catalog. From circa the mid-2000s, Freddie Foxxx shares a track ("The Fires Gettin' High") he made with his longtime friend Big Daddy Kane.... Read more

March 27, 2015 Audio

Big Daddy Kane Names His List of the Greatest MCs of All-Time. Who Made the Cut? (Video)

"Me, KRS and Rakim changed the whole way people rhymed..."--Big Daddy Kane Big Daddy Kane is widely considered to be one of the greatest MCs of all-time and, for many, he is the GOAT. So, when Kane speaks about his list of Hip-Hop's best lyricists, it takes on a different... Read more

March 24, 2015 Video

Finding The GOAT (Round 3): Big Daddy Kane vs. Kool G Rap…Who You Got?

We have reached the third round in the ultimate battle for the title of the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). With 42 MCs remaining, we are asking you to help us rank who is the greatest MC to pick up a mic. We will take over 35 years of Hip-Hop into... Read more

March 24, 2015 Throwback

Are You Really Ready for Some Super Dynamite Soul? DJ Cosmo Baker is on the Job (Mix)

In the DJ world, Cosmo Baker is a giant. Whether in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Philadelphia, or pretty much any part of the globe, Cos' can seemingly spin any genre, with style and finesse. Swinging through Drexel University's WKDU Eavesdrop Show, Baker brought nothing but a box of 7" 45's, and got... Read more

March 2, 2015 Mixes

Ever See This Big Daddy Kane Freestyle with Biz Markie Beatboxing? (Video)

The history between Big Daddy Kane and Biz Markie runs deep. As Cold Chillin' Records label-mates, the two were featured on some classic collaborations in the late 80s and early 90s, including "Just Rhymin' with Biz" and "Erase Racism." They also did countless shows together during this period and a... Read more

February 28, 2015 Throwback