Big Daddy Kane
Legendary hip-hop artist Big Daddy Kane talks to WHO?MAG TV live from Martha’s Vineyard before his historic performance on the island for the MV Summer Madness Music Conference and Festival. Kane talks about some of his legendary hits, the Juice Crew, meeting Biz Markie and more!
interview by Rob Schwartz
WHO?MAG: Tell me about the creationyour first single “Raw”.
BIG DADDY KANE: “Raw” was basically something I did in 1987. It was my introduction to the world. We had something out called “Just Rhymin’ With Biz” prior to that, but everyone thought that was Biz’s record and not mine, so “Raw” was really just me introducing myself to everyone and that’s what jump started my career.
WHO?MAG: Tell me about how your relationship with Biz Markie started.
BIG DADDY KANE: Biz and I met back in 1984 inside the Albee Square Mall. We were battling each other. After that, we became real close friends. He used to come back to my house, pick me up, and take me to the parties throughout Harlem, the Bronx, and Long Island. He said “stick with me and we’re going to make a record one day”. He was a man of his word. Once he got on, he came back and got me.
WHO?MAG: Tell me about the song “Pimpin Ain’t Easy” and why it never became a single?
BIG DADDY KANE: (laughing) It never really became a single because it was really just a fun song I did with Nice & Smooth. A lot of controversy stirred around it because of the title and some of the subject matter. We were really just having fun. Instead of getting into all of that drama, we just left it as an album cut. It’s funny you told me that. Teddy Pendergrass told me that was his favorite song too.
WHO?MAG TV: At the end of “Pimpin Ain’t Easy”, there were a few people asking to rhyme on the record. Was there ever an extended version with them?
BIG DADDY KANE: (laughing) Nah, nah, that was them just clowning around. That was them acting like they wanted to be on the song, but they were only playing. They were having a little fun, that’s all.
WHO?MAG TV: “The Symphony” is considered by many people to be the best posse cut of all time. Tell me about the creating of this song.
BIG DADDY KANE: The night I made “Raw”, Marley brought the beat back and me and Kool G. Rap rhymed over it and Marley eventually played it on WBLS. A lot of people were requesting it saying “Play that ‘Raw’ remix with Kane and G. Rap on it, we want to hear that”. So Marley told us that he wanted a song with both of us on it and wanted it for his album. So it was originally supposed to be just me and G. Rap. Then after a while, he wanted to put in Craig G on the song who had a song out called “Duck Alert” at that time, so we were like “cool, put him on”. On the actual day of recording, Marley introduced us to Masta Ace because that was his new artist and he wanted to put him on the song too. That’s how it all came about.
WHO?MAG TV: How did you get involved with the Juice Crew?
BIG DADDY KANE: The Juice Crew existed way before me, so I couldn’t really tell you a lot about the history. All I really know is when it was with Roxanne Shante and MC Shan. And then they took Biz in and brought him on the road and he started travelling and he brought me in. And then Kool G. Rap who was in before me as well with Polo and we all just got it popping.
WHO?MAG: What was your favorite tour moment ever?
BIG DADDY KANE: I guess my favorite tour moment was when I went out on the Chocolate City tour in 1990 with myself, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, 3rd Bass, and Digital Underground because we were having a whole lot of fun together, playing basketball together, having water fights. It was a lot of fun, almost like a family.
WHO?MAG: How did the collaboration with Barry White come about?
BIG DADDY KANE: I met Barry White at Quincy Jones’s house. We talked for a while about making a song together and we just finally made it happen.
WHO?MAG: What’s your favorite Big Daddy Kane Song?
BIG DADDY KANE: I guess my favorite Big Daddy Kane song would be “Set It Off”. Lyrically it would be “Mortal Combat”, but I guess my overall favorite would be “Set It Off”.
WHO?MAG: What can you tell aspiring rappers who look up to you today?
BIG DADDY KANE: I guess the main thing I would tell them is to be true to the art. Always try to be a leader and not a follower. If you follow those trends, then you go when the trends go.
WHO?MAG: What are you working on now?
BIG DADDY KANE: Right now I am just only really doing the Kane shows. I toured with my band “Las Supper”. Other than that, just chilling. I go back to the studio in October.