Big Daddy Kane - Long Live the Kane

Big Daddy Kane's 1988 debut still stands as a raw classic from one of hip-hop's most fruitful years. The production is end to end brilliant, with Juice Crew guru Marley Marl soundtracking Kane through nine furious cuts (and one absolute stinker, the slow jam "The Day You're Mine"). Marl's production has rarely sounded finer, a gritty chorus of drums and funk-soul samples that have since been immortalized. "Raw," "Just Rhymin' with Biz," and "Ain't No Half-Steppin'" are the certified anthems, but they're not the only highlights. Check the furious "Long Live the Kane" and "Set It Off" for Kane's up-tempo odes to himself. "I'll Take You There" and "Word to the Mother(Land)" were the obligatory (yet heartfelt) Nation nods, mandatory during this brief late-'80s period of Afrocentricity. Though his image would soon switch to that of a smoothed-out new jack playa, the memory of Kane as one of hip-hop's supreme lyrical rulers lives long on this masterpiece. --Hua Hsu Amazon.com

88, the year to set it straight,there ain't no half stepping!

1988 was a pivotal year for me. I turned 20 that year, and it was also the year that I feel in love with Hip Hop, after hearing PE's 'Rebel without a Pause'. It was also the year that that this, BDK debut LP, was released onto a eager public. We had already been primed as to the lyrical prowess of this Brooklynite, due to the single release of 'Raw'. This is a classic release from the golden age, with only one bad track 'The Day You're Mine', which set the tone for the battle that Kane had with himself, in terms of being a battle type MC, or a Love God.
Despite being 20 years old, this hasn't aged a bit. Personnel favorites are, well to be honest, like my children, I find it hard to pick out one.
One CD that to my mind should be in any Hip Hop lovers' collection.
June 15, 2008

i'm the big daddy kane

loved this back in 89 back in this era of rap rappers did'nt need 12 guest stars and 10 producers kane just does it alone fresj rhymes and all and mr. cee's scratches are def gotta .love the james brown samples too kane samples classic jb tracks like I'm coming, I'm black and i'm proud, the payback, mama feelgood, get up, get into and get involved and others favorite tracjs ain't no half stepping, and raw biz markie stops by on just rhyming with biz classic 88 was a great year for kane. January 22, 2008

The greatest bragging CD ever released

Yes, this is a CD mostly full of bragging, saying he's the best,but he does it well and drops some of the best battling lines ever. Seeing the lyrics will stun you, but his flow is one of the best ever. That's what clinched this record as a timeless record. Let's breakdown the album...

We start off with "Long Live The Kane". Which is a mix of political and battling rhymes. "No I'ma not Chinese/its just rhymes like these/That destroy an MC/with black belt degrees". 9/10

It is followed by "Raw(remix)". The original is what made KANE an underground figure and the impact of that one song was like an earthquake. Dropping jaw dropping rhymes with an untouchable flow. The chorus scratching is crazy. The entire song is filled with great lines and doesn't go more than 3 lines without saying something amazing. 10/10

"Set It Off" is in the same breath but even better flow and a better beat. What makes it better is that it starts right off the bat and the song just flows through. 10/10

Then is the loveman Kane that we will mostly see on his next albums, "The Day You're Mine". Some consider this filler, which I don't get. Yes, its different from the rest of the album, but that's the point. He wanted to cover the four major styles of rap(battling,comedy,political and love). Anyway, yes its cheesy but its a great love song. Kane continues his flow and nice lyrics even though its a different style. 9/10

"On The Bugged Tip" is a great team-up song with an unknown rapper, Scoob. Very nice and both do some rhymes. 9/10

Next is the infamous, "Ain't No Half Steppin'". No words can describe this song and theres a reason its so infamous. "You're just a butter knife, I'm a machete". 10/10

"I Take You There" is the political track on this CD". He's talking about a fantasy place where there is no violence, welfare, etc. Just forever peace and harmony. Amazing stuff. 10/10

"Just Rhymin' with Biz" is just that. They're basically rhyming with no topic. Funny stuff and Biz outshines Kane, crazy uh?. 9/10

"Mister Cee's Master Plan" is a song toward his DJ. Telling him thank you for the times and such. Its a good track but its one of the weakest tracks on this CD. 8.5/10

Another political song, "Word to the Mother (Land)". Very nice, but the beat is weird and brings down Kane. Sounds like he ran out of rhymes and is trying to make a short song, long. Still good but the weakest here. 8/10.

Closing Comments: As you can tell, Kane seems like he ran out of rhymes but the standouts are amazing. If you like Jeezy, don't get this. If you like hiphop, get it. If you wanna know hiphop and its history, get it. If you wanna know where these "battle" rappers got their inspiration from, get it. Classic, golden age hiphop. This is true old school and props to Mr. Marl for providing the production, as always. 5 stars.

-Peace
July 26, 2007

Long Live The Kane

Kane is the best emcee of all times, Rakim, G-Rap, Masta Ace are all nice. But nobody touches Kane. Why? Because he had a veratility that made him ahead of him time. This album isn't the best album of all time, but it's the best album of it's time. Kane outshines everyone, because he can do it all. Nobody else was battle rapping, smoothed out, a pimp and a teacher all on the same album. And Kane was the original sex symbol of Hip-Hop (sorry LL)
"Ain't No Half Steppin" is so smooth, but lyrically Kane kept it raw. "RAW" is as the title says. "Set It Off" shows Kane can rap ultra fast and still come off. Listen to his flow on any song off the album, it's meticlious. He pronounces every word so clearly, I honestly would put his flow on this album, which is 15 years old up against anyone today. And probably would still have it give it to Kane for most incredible flow. Every emcee today was either directly influenced by, or influenced by somebody who was influenced by Kane. He is that damn good, period. September 22, 2006

I have got to give it up to Big Daddy Kane.

This classic debut showcase all his talents. When he was young and when nothing was or could hold him back. This album is one of the blueprints of hip-hop. Melle Mel said "hip-hop is to pick up the mic and CRUSH everything in front of you". Kane killed the mic and the rumored beef with the other greatest MC of the era, Rakim, had us on the edge of our seats. Until this day, his rhymes have maintained their intensity and even in 2006, are still considered to be some of the most lethal battle lyrics ever spit. I can't say no more what's already been said numerously.

Every track on 'Long Live The Kane' is a truly classic. The tracks that steps up to me are "Set It Off" "Just Rhymin' With Biz" "Ain't No Half-Steppin" and "Raw."

I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this hip-hop essential to hip-hop fans from every division.
August 31, 2006

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