Big Daddy Kane - "Long Live the Kane"

Big Daddy Kane’s debut, “Long Live the Kane,” was released on June 28, 1998 on Cold Chillin' Records. The name "Kane" is actually a take off of David Carradine's character "Caine" from the 1970s TV show "Kung Fu." Production on the album was handled mainly by legendary producer Marley Marl, who was really beginning to establish himself as one of the greats in 1988. On the album, Marley Marl's fast-paced drums and Kane's rapid fire delivery are a perfect marriage. If you're even moderately into Hip Hop music it's hard not to hear the influence Kane, Marley Marl and this album had on other rappers and producers. According to WhoSampled, elements of this album were sampled 457 times. I have to believe it's more but even at 457, it makes it one of the most influential Hip Hop albums of all time

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Chris: Hey Mike! It’s been awhile since we’ve been able to do one of these. I think that it is only right that we comeback with a classic, “Long Live the Kane”! Obviously, I know that Big Daddy Kane is your favorite rapper of all-time but what made you want to review “Long Live the Kane”?

Mike: Chris, feels good to be back on the Rewind, it’s always a fun time. I wanted to review “Long Live the Kane”, because this album, along with Eric B. and Rakim's "Paid in Full" really laid down the landscape for what Rap would later become. This one just happens to be better. Come at me Rakim fans!

Chris: Haha well, I’m looking forward to having that debate with you!

Chris: I hear a lot of people refer to the Golden Era of Hip Hop as being from 1992 to 1997. Whereas I have always maintained that the Hip Hop’s Golden Era was like 1986ish to 1992. “Long Live the Kane” would have fallen right into the middle of that. What do you consider as the Golden Era of Hip Hop?

Mike: That’s a great question, which comes down to both age and personal preference. I was born in 1986, so clearly I wasn’t checking the latest jams from 86 to 92, yet I regard that Era as the Golden Age, without a doubt. 1988 being its pinnacle year, with this album being a big reason why that year takes the cake, in my opinion.

Chris: When I think of Big Daddy Kane’s style, I think of his versatility.  He can come in fast like on “Set It Off” or on a laidback vibe like on “Ain’t No Half-Steppin’”.  What do you enjoy most about Big Daddy Kane’s style and what song on “Long Live the Kane” do you think best exemplifies his style?

Mike: I really think he birthed the well-pronunciated rapid fire flow, so that a bragging right for Kane as is, but it’s the charisma of his laid back flows that i prefer. At Rap music’s young age at the time, most were working on these raps solely.  Kane was working on raps AND adding his personality to the mix. I have to cite his style on "Aint No Half- Steppin’" as being the most exemplary of his repertoire, as it was an early hit that shaped his career style, or "brand". In his later albums, he took the laid back vibe a little bit too far, but by then that was Kane’s signature sound.

Big Daddy Kane – “Ain’t No Half Steppin’”

Chris: One thing that stood out to me on this album was how many elements, whether it was Kane’s vocals, or just his vocal pattern, or a chorus or the beats, have been sampled in other Hip-Hop songs. I was making a list as I was listening and I recognized elements that Big L, Gangstarr, Doom, Heiro, Biggie, Edo G., Nice & Smooth and Pete Rock and CL Smooth used and I am sure there are much more. In my opinion, that shows just how influential this album was. Did these stand out to you as well?

Mike: Well you beat me to the punch on this one. I definitely geek when I catch a line that I am familiar with from a later rapper, that Kane had birthed. But also, as you started, his rhyme pattern. From Kane originally rapping, "if rap was a game, I’d be MVP, the most valuable poet on the M-I-C" to his flow, the influence he had on Big L, who cited Kane as a big influence, sticks out to me most. 

Big L – “MVP”

 

 Big Daddy Kane feat. Biz Markie – “Just Rhymin’ with Biz”

 

Chris: The second track on “Long Live the Kane” is a called “Raw” (Remix). I don’t know if you’ve heard the original version but it features Kool G Rap. I prefer the original. What say you? Original or the remix?

Mike: This one took some research, because theres’ a version on "Best of Big Daddy Kane", simply titled "Raw" that I assumed was the original, yet it’s another completely different version lyrics-wise. Like the remix featured on “Long Live the Kane”. It also omits Kool G Rap from the track. Although, the YouYube offerings of the original with Kool G Rap are very Lo-Fi recordings. I can look past that for the greatness that is Kool G. So I’d say my favorite is the original, second is the version simply called "Raw" and 3rd would be the remix featured on the studio album. At the end of the day, they all sound nice! Word up to Mister Cee on those cuts!

Big Daddy Kane feat. Kool G. Rap – “Raw”

 

 Big Daddy Kane – “Raw” (Remix)

 

Chris: What did you think of the production on “Long Live the Kane”. I did not know this until researching this album but there is actually some controversy as to how much of this album Marley Marl actually produced. Supposedly the majority of the album was produced by Kane and other producers. Does that change anything for you?

Mike: While that is indeed news to me. It doesn’t change the way I feel about the production, which overall I dig a lot. Whether Marley Marl or Kane produced the track, it has a cohesive sound that I’m sure can be attributed to Kane and Marley working together extensively prior.

Chris: What is your favorite track on the album?

Mike:  “Set it Off”. If aliens came to Earth and wanted to hear what Hip Hop is all about, this is the track I’m playing for them! Kane absolutely demolishes the track with his signature rapid fire flow. Can’t ask for anything more.

Chris: “Set it Off” is my favorite as well and probably my favorite Big Daddy Kane song. I love the drums and Kane just rips the entire song. You ever try to rap along with it? You won’t make it the second verse without losing your breath. One interesting thing that I learned was the “Set It Off” beat was made by the 45 King and was originally intended for Biz Markie. I’m not sure how it became Kane’s but clearly the right choice was made.

Big Daddy Kane – “Set It Off”

 

Chris: Probably one of the most stacked line-ups in terms of crews is the Juice Crew (Marley Marl, Roxane Shante, MC Shan, Biz Mar, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G, Craig G. and Grand Daddy I.U.). Can you think of a better crew Hip-Hip?

Mike: This is definitely a hard one to answer. As I’ve collectively listened to far more Wu-Tang than I have Juice Crew. Yet the fact that there likely wouldn’t have been a Wu-Tang Clan without the Juice Crew previously paving the way, I’m going with Juice Crew. For that matter, I’ve listened to more Jay-Z in my lifetime, pun included, who is considered a protégé of Kane, than the O.G. himself, yet when citing favorite MCs, it’s a no-brainer that Kane is the champ between the two.

Chris: That’s a tough point to argue and I’d be inclined to agree with you. Some other crews that I was considering were the Native Tongues or D.I.T.C. but it’s hard to argue with the credential of the Juice Crew and as you alluded to, Kane was their anchor. That just speaks to his greatest.

Juice Crew – “The Symphony Pt. 1” 

Chris: Mike, that was a lot of fun! We will do it again soon and now to close, how do you feel about “Long Live the Kane” now versus when you initially heard it?

Mike: I like it tenfold better nowadays. As with my answer to many questions when regarding pre 90s Hip Hop, so much depends on what Era first drew you into the genre. Getting into hip hop in the late 90s, the production levels had a more grandiose, rich sound than the beats on “Long Live the Kane”. As a young student of the game, I deemed Kane too primitive, as i was turned off by the minimalist beat selection. As I got older, i realized Kane is so gifted, he is the main instrument, something very few MCs have been able to pull off. Not only that aspect, but the beats have grown on me, those heavy drums get me going! “Long Live the Kane” sounds fresher than ever!

Chris: I would say that I definitely have a greater appreciation for it. There were so many moments on this album where I was like, “Oh! That’s where they got that from!” In another conversation we had about Big Daddy Kane, I said that Big Daddy Kane is the LeBron James of Hip Hop and a lot of people consider LeBron James to be the greatest of all time. 

Prince Paul - "A Prince Among Thieves"

Prince Paul’s 2nd studio album, “A Prince Among Thieves”, was released on February 23, 1999 on Tommy Boy Records. On the Prince Paul produced “3 Feet High and Rising”, Prince Paul came up with the idea of including skits are a way to piece the album together to tell a story. This idea of telling a story on a record eventually became the idea for his Rap opera or a “movie on wax”.  Prince Paul watched a bunch of B-rated crime dramas and eventually came up with the plot for “A Prince Among Thieves”. Rapper Tariq, played by Breeze Brewin’ of the Juggaknots, needs $1,000 in order to finish his demo before his meeting with RZA. Tariq, who is convinced that this meeting will lead to a record deal, against his own better judgement agrees to help from his friend and mentor True, played by Big Sha of the group Horror City, and hustle the money. The album chronicles the highs and lows of the life of a dealer and a friendship scorned by jealousy. Prince Paul recruited an all-star cast for support roles in his Rap opera, like Big Daddy Kane, Kool Keith and De La Soul. The album is produced entirely by Prince Paul and features both new and classic Prince Paul beats. It’s a familiar story but it’s also often humorous and keeps your head nodding throughout. You can’t knock the creativity that went into making this album nor its cast of characters. “A Prince Among Thieves” is one of a kind.

Review with Jav (@javdunyan)

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Chris: Going into this review, “A Prince Among Thieves” was probably one of my favorite Hip Hop albums. It’s just completely unique and because of that I thought it would be an interesting album to review. I guess I probably heard it not too long after it came out because at the time, I was pretty obsessed with anything related to my favorite group, De La Soul. Do you have any memories of listening to “A Prince Among Thieves” before this review? 

Jav: Fond memories indeed, thinking back to this era of Hip-Hop feels great, not just for the sake of nostalgia for an old school Hip-Hop “head” but the time when the internet was budding and a few years before downloading music from the internet would absolutely destroy your computer. The album’s story and theme requires time to unfold, each song is an episode in the overall Hip Hopera which needs some time to grasp the whole concept. 

Chris: I can think of a few Hip Hop concept albums from over years, like “MM..Food”, “Deltron 3030”, Masta Ace’s “Disposable Arts”, and “Dr. Octagonecologyst” but none of them are what “A Prince Among Thieves” is, which is a true Hip Hopera. I wonder if you remember when MTV put out that musical, “Carmen”, that starred Beyonce, Mekhi Phifer and Mos Def. I remember them calling that a Hip Hopera but come on. I guess, it was Prince Paul’s idea for “A Prince Among Thieves” to be a film but Tommy Boy balked at the idea. They did, however, give him $10,000 to shoot a trailer/music video. Are there any other concept albums in Hip Hop that you can think of? Also, I read that Chris Rock owns the rights to any potential theatrical versions of “A Prince Among Thieves”. Given a decent budget and all the characters from the album being used in the film, what’s your interest level in seeing it? 

Jav: I’m DOWN to see a live action version of the album, funny that Chris Rock owns the rights to that? Not sure who I would expect to own it but hey! Better than Martin Skrelli being the sole owner to an unreleased Wu album.  MTV is so lame, throwing Mos Def in there to bring some needed street cred into the mix. I imagine the board meeting with Beyonce’s agent like hey it’s a modern day opera! The kids will love it and it comes on after Real World, who remembers that show?

Chris: Good point! Chris Rock, please do something with this! Is the Real World not on anymore? Road Rules gone too? Haha

”A Prince Among Thieves” (Extended Music Video)

 

Chris: The album, the story of Tariq, is supposed to be loosely based on the struggles, in both the music business and personal life, of Prince Paul. I guess as a fan it’s hard to think about someone like Prince Paul being outcasted by the industry and struggling to find work in music. Do you have any thoughts on Prince Paul as producer and Hip Hop contributor? And what did you think of the production on this album?

Jav: Boggles the mind that Prince Paul would have problems and maybe it is expected. He would not do well with LL Cool J or whomever was the breadwinner throughout the 90’s lol. De La Soul is legendary, and Mr Paul is the producer that made the first three albums, I wonder what the impact of De La’s legacy would be without Prince Paul’s production. Hard to say at this point (not to cast shade on the album Stakes is High). Who remembers the second Gravediggaz album that came out without Prince Paul producing? Exactly. 

Chris: I think the thing I appreciate most about Prince Paul is the wide array of genres he samples from. He’s very eclectic with his sample sources. He’s not afraid to challenge himself or be himself and because of that we’ve gotten so many quirky but quality projects to listen to. From his work with De La, to his work with the Gravediggaz, to his work with Dan the Automator.

Chris: I really enjoyed the production on this album. Again, a very eclectic choice of sample sources from Albert King to Extra Ts, from the Average White Band to Magnum.

Average White Band – “Reach Out”

 

 Chris: One of the things I really enjoy most about this album is that it cast some not as well-known rappers in the most prominent roles and some of the most prominent rappers, legends really, in support roles. You have Everlast as the corrupt cop, Kool Keith as the arms-dealing nerd, you have Big Daddy Kane as the pimp supreme, you have Chubb Rock as the crime boss, you have De La Soul as junkies and then Sadat X, Xzibit and Kid Creole as the intimidating but also sage inmates. Which was your favorite character(s) on the album and why?

Jav: Kool Keith stands out to me as the arms-dealing nerd, love the way you put that by the way. His monologue at the end of the song gets me everytime. “with the aluminum skin of an alligator” like what kind of sales pitch is that Keith c'mon man!? Don't worry i wont tell nobody in the projects. Something about Big Daddy Kane as a pimp in a movie, and his track “Count Makula” feels like a 70’s b movie which makes sense, knowing you mentioned Prince Paul watched a lot of B movies for inspiration, it just works somehow. 

Chris: I really enjoyed both of those tracks too. Kool Keith’s wordplay and then the subject matter, it’s like all the stars align. The same can be said for the Big Daddy Kane track. He just comes off so smooth and believable in his role.

My favorite feature though was “More Than U Know” featuring De La Soul. Pos and Dave playing drug addicts and then the metaphors for getting high and taking a plane flight and a drug dealer as travel agent. I thought that really funny and creative.

Prince Paul feat. Big Daddy Kane – “Count Macula”

 

 Prince Paul feat. De La Soul – “More Than U Know”

 

Chris: Did you have any favorite tracks?

Jav: I was totally a huge Sadat X fan so “Handle Your Time” is one of my favorite songs. “Weapon World” has my favorite beat, those strings and Keith’s high pitched voice match so well together, wonder what a Kool Keith and Prince Paul album would have sounded like?

Chris: Oh man! Can you imagine? The Dr. Octagon stuff with Dan the Automator was so ill and no disrespect to Dan but I could only imagine an album with Prince Paul sounding better or at least funkier. On another review, I talked about how much I would have enjoyed hearing an album with Chubb Rock and Prince Paul, an album with Kool Keith and Prince Paul would be incredible.

An additional track, I liked was with two Juggaknot members, Breeze Brewin’ and Queen Herawin, on “The Other Line”. Tariq calls his girl, Tammy, to convince her to call-in to work for him and Tru. I just really enjoy the back and forth. In my opinion, the dialogue between the two is like modern Shakespearean.

Prince Paul feat. Kool Keith – “Weapon World”

 

Prince Paul feat. Breeze Brewin’ and Queen Herawin – “The Other Line”

 

Chris: One of the things I read about the making of the album, is that the Rappers/Actors were all left in the dark about what was going on with the project as a whole. Prince Paul recorded them all and then pieced together all the dialogue and everything else himself at the end. So you’ve made beats and you’ve worked Rappers, what do you think of Prince Paul’s method for putting together this album? In your experience, have you tried to implement something like this yourself and if not, do you feel like maybe the finished product would have come out better if you had?

Jav: I have not taken such a task, mainly small projects and home-produced music that does not match the quality of a legendary producer. The amount of thought and creative effort that it must have taken to put this together is astounding. It is unimaginable really, the time required to make all these beats and come up with dialogue AND to piece them all together after the recording was done! Maybe as a virtuoso producer such as Prince Paul, the beats maybe would not take as much time, but sitting in a dark and smoky studio editing and matching the vocal tracks, dialogue and background sounds of a cinematic experience doubles his workload, in film industry there are departments alone that create sounds like cars and people walking, that takes time to set up and make sure everything is lined up correctly, wonder how many people helped with the engineering of the album. Prince Paul is like George Lucas, like nope that jail cell slamming sound was a little too loud, can we knock that down a tad?

Chris: Thank you for taking the time do this review with me, Jav! I appreciate your perspective and I hope that we can do it again! “A Prince Among Thieves” turns 22 on the 23rd, has it stood the test of time for you? Also, did you feel bad for Tariq?

Jav: I do feel for the guy, from the beginning it's like hey would I trust Tru or not, hmmmm. All of Tru’s verses have the feeling like hey I'm totally going to betray you because I feel I’m the better rapper and Tariq is so wack. I honestly did not know who Tru and Tariq were played by until recently, which gives the great opportunity to listen and discover some older unheard music, thanks Chris for giving me the chance to give my thoughts to this piece of art! I'm ready to do some more anytime Man! The best way to close out the decade with this gem of an album for sure.

Chris: I felt bad for Tariq as well. He was getting played from the start. I think that time has only made me appreciate this album more and I’m glad we got to review it because I really got to delve into it.

Thanks again, Jav!