Big Daddy Kane On Jay-Z, Tupac, Biggie, LL Cool J, Biz Markie & Kendrick Lamar | CLUB SHAY SHAY

Biggie was 24 when he passed. Pac was 25. when he passed. Given what they were. doing, how big do you think they would. have been? Let's just say they live. another 10 years, another 15, another 20. years. >> Pac would have probably been the Michael. Jackson of hip hop. >> Grinding all my life sacrifice hustle. paid the price a slice. Got to roll the. dice. That's why all my life I've been. grinding all my life. All my life been. grinding all my life. Sacrifice. Hustle.

paid the price. Want a slice. Got to. roll a dice. That's why all my life I've. been grinding all my life. [Music]. Hello. Welcome to another episode of. Club Shay. I am your host Shannon Sharp. I'm also the proprietor of Club Shay. Stopping by for conversation and a drink. today. is an OG original. Uh a master. wordsmith, a hardcore word assassin, a. Grammy award-winning artist, one of the. greatest rappers of all time. He helped. shape the way hip hop is viewed.

worldwide. He defined the term lyricist. He sold over 500,000 album before CD, streams, and social media. A pioneer. from the golden era. He transformed live. performance. He revolutionized hip-hop. fashion. A legendary entertainer, actor, songwriter, producer, and a model. One. of the most influential and skilled. respected MC's ever. He's been active. for over 40 years. An icon, a hall of. famer, royalty. Brooklyn Barm, a key to. the burrow. Here he is, one of the. greatest lyricists of all time. Big.

Daddy Kane. Kane, my brother, when you hear me read off those. accolades after being in the business. for 40 years, what are you thinking? >> What am I thinking? I guess main thing. that come to mind is it's only been 37. >> I gave I added three extra years to that. thing, huh? >> Yeah. Yeah. But it's all good. I take. it, man. I take it. I mean, you know, this is just something that, you know, um, I started doing as a kid and.

realizing that I have a voice and people. want to hear it. I've tried to do the. right thing with it and, um, you know, promote the right message. So, you know, all these, you know, decades later to. have people, you know, you know, giving. you accolades and flowers and things of. that nature, I think it's a blessing, man. you know, >> when you got started, I mean, in the. very be because we this thing goes back. what uh DJ Hurt um Cool Hurt. >> Cool DJ Cool Hurt. >> um in the Bronx and you got uh Melo they.

started this thing. So that was is that. when you got hooked because prior to. that there was nothing else. So how did. you like you know what this is what I. want to do? Um well, you know, um back. when Herk and Africa Bambada and. Grandmaster Flash NOTM started, you. know, I was probably about five years. old, right? >> You know, so I was really, you know, playing with toys and things of that. nature. It wasn't until uh 1977. >> Mhm. >> I heard a DJ in Brooklyn um by the name. of Master D.

>> Okay. >> And he threw on um Love is the Message. um by MFSB. And I I seen the craziest. thing in the world. I just seen all the. uh mature teens and adults line up by. the DJ booth, >> okay? >> And they all just rhyme. They getting on. the mic, you know, dip dip d social age. one my and like I never seen nothing. like that before. That was 77. So. hip-hop had already been going on in the. Bronx and like but this was in Brooklyn. My first time really seeing it.

>> and I was like all right, I don't know. what that is, but I want to be a part. >> You want to be a part of it. >> So you're right. Yeah. Yeah. >> Kane, how did you how did you find your. voice? Because how did you find like. okay this is kind of the the the the. message that I'm going that I'm deliver. because you're great with word play and. you know you KRS1 we're going to get. through the uh the backdrop of that but. how did you decide to say you know what. this is kind of the direction I want to. go. um well you talking about lyrically. >> yes um well you know I'm from Brooklyn.

>> so as a kid you know it's nothing like. like yeah you want to play outside and. have fun But, you know, when you see a. coupe Deville, El Dorado, or Deuce and a. quarter pull up, you know, and one of. the pimps and the hustlers get out, you. know, you rush over there, right? >> Cuz you know they going to give you like. a dub. They going to give you like a 20. spot just to run to the store to either. get them a bill or a Lucy, right? And. tell you to keep the change, >> you know. So you're around that type of. element and then you're hearing them.

talk and the way they talk and everybody. just fascinated about oh they just stand. there [ __ ] because I remember one one. of my first rhymes I used something I. heard one of the um o older um hustler. dudes say you know one of my first. rhymes I said um I know the tricks I. know the trades and I'm sharp as a. [ __ ] razor blade. That was. something my older dude say. You know. what I'm saying? And I'm I'm a kid. putting that in a rhyme. You feel see? So it was like that was I'm like you. know I just want to have that slick. talk, you know? >> Yeah. Brooklyn. You mentioned Brooklyn. What. is it in the water? What is it in the.

soil? Yourself, Biggie, Jay-Z, Kim, Foxy, Most Death, Buster, Fab, Popm. Smoke, Joey, Badass. What is it about. that burrow that's been able to produce. this? I think um that that that quality of. uniqueness, you know, like I just think that. Brooklyn just got their own way of doing. things, >> right? We have our own way of doing. things. You know, I I just, you know,

think that that plays a major part, you. know, from what we we seen in the. streets in Brooklyn and how it impacted. us in a way where this is what we want. to talk about. >> Okay. >> You know, were you the first mainstream. from Brooklyn? >> No. Houdini. >> Oh, okay. Houdini. First mainstream. First hip-hop sex symbols. Houdini. Yeah, >> I remember in 1986 I saw Houdini, I saw.

Run DMC, >> I saw the Fat Boys, >> I saw. I saw about five groups at Savannah. Civic Center. I'll never forget. >> 1986 and it was unbelievable. And now. that you mentioned I was like I did not. know they were from Brooklyn. >> Yeah. Houdini's from Brooklyn. Fat Boys. Yeah. I think the if I'm correct, I. believe the first uh MC to have a. recording deal from Brooklyn was Jimmy. Spicer. He had a song called Super.

Rhymes and Okay. >> Uh Dollar Bill, y'all. But Houdini were. like the first to impact. >> Knowing what you know now is that when. you look back at it and you didn't know. that there were going to be so many more. that come after you, but did you feel. like an obligation like, okay, I'm from. Brooklyn, you know, Houdini, but the. first to like get on there individually. and do your thing. Did you feel like you. had to start this thing off, hold it up. because they were going to be coming. after you, or did you not think that far. in advance?

>> I felt like I wanted to try to help. other talented artists. >> Okay. Get established. That's what I felt. because um that's how I got on, you. know? I mean, I started rapping in ' 82, >> okay? >> I was making demos and things of that. nature and no one was checking for me. I. couldn't get a record deal to save my. life. Then in '84, I met Biz Marquee. And did Is that what y'all started for? The Juice Crew. >> Well, um Juice Crew was um before before.

Biz. That was with Mr. Magic, right? >> Yeah. Mr. Magic, you know, Fly Tie and. all them, you know. Um Roxan Shantae was. the first artist. >> MC Shan was it? >> Yeah. Roxan Shante was the first artist. Then Shan, Craig G. Yeah. >> And then Biz, I believe. Um but um Biz I. met him before he even had a deal. >> Okay. >> And I met him. We battled. >> Yeah. >> We battled. And after the battle, you. know, he says, "Yo, you dope. You should. get down with me.

You know, I do a lot of shows. You make. a little bit of money and I promise you. I'm going to get you a record deal." So. that's that's who believed in me. That's. who took me put me on the stage for the. first time. >> Okay. So, I mean, with everything the. biz did for me, you know, um once I, you. know, got out in the public, I wanted to. try to do that for other artists. >> Okay. >> So, you uh each one teach one and. someone gave gave you an opportunity. So, now naturally, you feel it's Kane's. uh job to give back like somebody gave. to me. Everybody don't look that way. A.

lot of times people get put on realizing. someone helped cut them on. Now, I'mma. pull the ladder up cuz I don't want. nobody else to get on. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. There's a lot of. selfish thinking out there. I've seen. it. I've experienced it. But, you know, that's that's not my style, right? >> You know. Yeah. >> This episode is brought to you by Prize. Picks. You and I make decisions every. day. But on Prize Picks, being right can. get you paid. Don't miss any of the. excitement this season on Prize Picks, where it's good to be right. Week three. of football was very entertaining. Those.

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Download the app today. Use code Shannon. to get $50 in lineups after you play. your first $5 lineup. That's code. Shannon to get $50 in lineups after you. play your first $5 lineup. Prize picks. It's good to be right. You were. Biggiey's favorite rapper. Did you you. met Biggie? Yeah. Yeah. Um I've been. around Big twice. Okay. >> But we had um three phone calls, you. know. It it was always funny, you know,

too cuz we didn't have a direct. connection. It was my DJ, Mr. C, >> okay, >> who would call and put us on the phone. together. >> and you know when he clicked big in he. first thing he say ah the real BI. first and we just laugh and whatnot then. he tell me what's on his mind you know. but you know but I mean he was someone. that I had so much respect for man and I. thought was super talented because I've. seen a lot of MC's you know develop you.

know their style and become better. throughout the years. I saw Biggie do this in like a year. >> Yes. >> And like one year I seen him go from. here to here lyrically. You know what. I'm saying? So I was like had he lived. >> I think he would have probably been the. the. >> greatest MC ever. Wow. >> Did you know that he had that ability? Cuz like you said it wasn't long. It.

wasn't like he had a five year or 10. year career. It like he blew up and then. it was gone just like that. I mean, it's the type of thing where. back then when when Mr. C was trying to. get him a deal, C would be like, "Yo, he. don't remind you of you." Like, nah. And. then he came out with um I believe Party. and [ __ ] you know, rocking. And. he's like, >> "Party and. >> Yeah. And he's asked me again. You're. like, "Yo, you don't." Cuz see, Biggie.

talked about stuff I didn't talk about. >> Correct. You see what I'm saying? So, I'm like, "No, I don't see it." Then. when he came out with the remix for one. more chance, you know, and when I'm. like, "However, I stay coogi down to the. socks." I called see that time. All. right. My bad. I see it now. >> I see it. >> I see it. >> I was like, "Yeah." I was like, "Yeah.". I was like, "Yeah, he's a monster.". >> Big invited you to one of the Tupac. shows. Mhm. >> How did you How did you and Tupac get.

>> I was performing at Madison Square. Garden. Okay. >> For the Budweiser Superf Fest. >> Okay. >> And um Biggie wanted to come. >> Okay. >> And I was like, "Yeah." You know, >> and Biggie was hanging with Pac cuz he. was in New York filming Above the Rim. >> Okay. >> So he asked, "Could Pac come?". >> And I was like, "Absolutely." Cuz I knew. Pac when he was dancing for Digital. Underground. Yeah. >> You know, cuz they like one they they. were the opening act on my first tour. >> Wow. >> So I had known Pac for that, you know. So I was like absolutely yeah bring. them. So when they brought them I just I.

called them you know both on stage and. let them freestyle you know. >> Damn. >> Yeah. How often does that happen that. someone of your il caliber invite. somebody on stage y'all go ahead and. freestyle here? Well, the reason I. really I mean I do it a lot, but the. reason I really wanted to do it that. particular night is because when I first. got on, Bobby Brown did it for me. >> Oh, you know.

>> Okay. Yes. >> Cuz this is when they wasn't really. letting hip hop in the garden like that, you know. Um I think maybe the last ones. to be there might have been like Run DMC. or LL, you know. So, like Bobby Brown had a show, you. know, his first solo album, and he let. me get on and rock with him and perform. one of my songs. So, I, you know, I. Here's Biggie, a new up and cominging. artist. Here's Pac, you know, he filming. a movie. Um, Fat Joe also, but I I ran. out of time. I couldn't let Joe on, right? >> Cuz they was telling me five minutes. left.

>> But, um, I was like, "Y'all come on.". You know, rock. >> You know, Joe going to tell that story. Joe going to say, "You had 25 minutes. left.". You know, Jo add some yeast to that. thing so that thing grow down. >> No, listen. Let me explain something to. you. Ain't nothing better than watching Pokio. do his thing. >> Pinocchio, come on, K. when he getting to his elements. I love. it. I love it. I love it. But I'mma let.

the world know straight up he telling. the truth when he say that he was there. and was supposed to get on that. particular night at Master Square. Garden. telling the truth cuz you know. people say bad you was supposed to go. with K was about to let you on. Nah nah. he's telling the straight up truth and. in all honesty it was something that you. know really bothered me. >> right. >> because you know cuz he was a new artist. at the time so I that would have been a. good look for him but they were like. five minutes and I still hadn't done. Woman of Kane or Ain't HalfP and so I. didn't have no time. >> you didn't have no time to get him on.

>> Did were you Did you ever get in the. studio with Pac? Do you ever see Pac in. the studio? We worked together um uh. before like a year before he passed um. Suge Knight wanted to start Death Row. East, >> right? >> And you know, he invited me out. We went. went out to Tyson Fight and um you know, we talked about working and then we left. Vegas and flew right back to LA, went in. the studio and um I recorded a song. called Wherever You Are with Pac. Um I. wrote a song for Hammer called What You.

Going to Do for Me? And me, Pac, and. Hammer, all three of us did a song. together called Too Late Player all in. the same night. >> Wow. >> Yeah. >> Suge offered you an opportunity. Did he. Did he try to sign you to death? Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Why you didn't sign? >> Um, it was like he asked me what did I want. I said, um, 400,000 an album. I didn't cuz I'm. checking the temperature because at that. point in time no one was really trying.

to sign me. So I'm trying to check the. temperature in the room, you know. So. I'm so I didn't want to go hard. So I. said 400,000. He was like that's a. strange number. It's 400. Why wouldn't. you just simply say 500? Okay 500. And he like man you big daddy came man. He was like I have to make um uh the dog. pound. >> I have to make I forgot what other. artists he mentioned. I have to you know. make them. Mhm. >> You already an established name. >> I would be insulting you to give you.

less than a million. >> Okay, cool. >> And I mean, I'm I thought we had a deal, right? >> But then he said, um, look, I don't know. about your financial status right now, but you know, if you need a little. something, I can, you know, you know, give you a little hundred,000 right now, you know, to take with you, you know, >> and then that's what made me. uncomfortable. >> Oh, yeah. Yeah. You feel if you took. that 100,000, you was going to be. indebted to this man. And all of a. sudden, >> that that just felt like a gangster. move. And I was like, you know, like, nah, I'm good, man. I'm good. And I. didn't do it. Yeah.

Biggie was 24 when he passed. Pac was 25. when he passed. Given what they were doing at the time. of their untimely demise, how big do you. think they would have been? Let's just. say they live another 10 years, another. 15, another 20 years. I think that Pac would have probably. been uh. the Michael Jackson of hip hop.

>> Wow. You know, um cuz you got to understand. um. not only did women love Pac, men love. Pac. >> Yes. >> You know what I'm saying? Men. uh like women wanted to be with Pac. men. wanted to be like Pac, you know. So, I. mean, he was a very very powerful. figure, you know. Anytime you you you. you pass away and people have sightings.

of you, that's when you a bad dude. You. know what I'm saying? >> Yeah. >> You know, >> true, true. >> Like people still see M swear out that. Michael Jackson is still alive. People. still swear Elvis Presley is alive, right? >> People doing that with Pac. >> Mhm. >> You know, >> right. How much do you think. him being something that he's not played. a role? Because a lot of people say Pop. wasn't what he was rapping about, what. he was pretending to be, you know, this. thug life and he had California, you.

know, tatted on him. He He wasn't that. Do you think that played a role in his. demise? Um, I I think that Pac had a lot of hood. ways in him. I think that Pac was a real. dude. I think that Pac was a good dude. I. think that the the bad thing was just. that he was easily influenced. >> You know, I'm I'm not going to sit here. and say that he wasn't about it. He.

wasn't real. I think that he was just. easily influenced. >> He was a chameleon because he get with. executives uh be it TV or or music execs. and he was charming. He was charismatic. Now all of a sudden he gets with people. that live that lifestyle. He could. convince you that he's about that. lifestyle. But you see, you got to. understand when he was a dancer for. Digital Underground. >> Yeah. >> I don't know how many nights there would. be where I would have to sit him and it.

was him and um Money B. >> Yeah. >> Money B wasn't doing that, >> right? >> Pac and my dancers scoop and scrap. >> Yeah. I'd have to sit them down like, "Yo, why are y'all fighting at an. afterparty? Why are y'all You know what. I'm saying?" So, I've seen that side of. Pac before he was Pac, >> right? >> I've seen that side. I've seen him, you. know, get into it and romp with Cats, you know, after a show or backstage. I've seen that side. >> What was that about though, Kane? Because you you're like he's up and.

coming and and then he had an. afterparty. He's squabbbing at an. afterparty. Why? You don't have to do. that. >> We all did that dumb [ __ ] man. I mean I I mean you I you can't just put. that on fire. We all did that, right? You know. >> the things you going through. I mean I. mean you think about it. He passed at. 25. So he had to be what? A late. teenager, early 20s. >> You ain't never had a fight at an after. party. >> Nah nah nah nah nah. >> Come on Sha. >> Nah. I ain't never had no fight at after. party. But then again, you you a big ass.

dude. So yeah, nobody they probably. ain't want that smoke. You So it's Yeah. Yeah. >> Let me ask you this though, Kane. If you. could go back and do anything different. in your career, what would it be? >> If I could do anything different, um, I don't know. That's a dangerous. thing to do, you know? I don't I don't. know if I really want to. Um, >> you ain't trying to rewrite history, too. >> Yeah. I don't think I want to mess up. what I have. Yeah. Yeah. I I don't I. don't think I want to do that. >> The money was was money I mean, look,

there was no internet. There was no. streaming. There was you were selling. hard copy albums. >> and. >> and CDs. >> and CDs. >> So you had to to have somebody go wait. in the line for this drop. and the line be around the building. That was a powerful thing back then. >> Oh yeah. Now I used to love like stuff. like that. Um like I remember like on me. and Alb Shaw we dropped like around the.

same time. So Warner Brothers had us out. on promotional tour and like every day, you know, we just there clowning and. joking and having a good time and to. like come in a record store and see the. line like you said, rapping around the. corner. Oh man, beautiful thing, man. I. sit there and start acting silly and. whatnot, you know, as they start coming. and you know, me and Al sitting there, I'm like, "All right, all the. light-skinned fans on this side, darkkinned fans over here, you know,

>> do you think it'll ever be will it ever. be like that again, Kane? Will will. music ever sell like that? Will people. ever line up to want to hear a a record. to go purchase a physical copy of a. record or CD? Will it ever be like that. again? or we relegated to streams and. other forms of receiving that. >> Um, I think that it's it's like that right. now, just not as strong. >> Okay. >> You have artists that's selling vinyl.

for like $250. a copy, >> you know, and people are buying it. They're purchasing it, you know. Um, so. it's it's happening. It does exist. But. um will it be at the forefront like it. was before? I doubt it. >> Um because the world has pretty much. become, you know, a fast food. The world. is fast food now. >> So it's it's going to be really really. hard. >> People ain't trying to wait on nothing. K. >> Nah.

>> I mean, hey, they don't want to go the. grocery store. They call somebody they. call somebody to shop for. They call. Uber Eats. They call Door Dash. They. call. >> No, no, no. Hold this one. People don't. even want to wait on the truth. Wow. It's not about, you know, getting the. story right. It's about getting the. story first. >> First. >> Yeah. You know, so yeah. >> K, what have you learned about money? >> What I learned about money? I mean, you. know, for one, you know, um you have to.

protect it. >> Mhm. >> You have to protect it and spend it. wisely, you know. And um but how does a. young man that's coming into a large sum. of money coming up from the background a. lot of us came up from impoverished. background um maybe it wasn't a two. parent home it was a mom or a grandmom. and you've never had and you get this. sum of money and all the things that. you've ever wanted as a child or as a. young man. You get an opportunity to get. it all at once. You can get whatever you.

want as much as you want. How does one. refrain from being reckless? Because. when we get money and we in our we in. our 20s, we think we going to be getting. money like this in our 30s, 40s, 50s. >> Yeah. >> So it ain't going to end. That's the. mentality. But you know, you have to. understand that, you know, there was. always someone before you. >> Yes. >> You know what I'm saying? There was a. RunDMC before me. Mh.

>> There was a Melly Mel before me. >> You know, there was um a Jim Brown. before you. >> Yes. >> You know what I'm saying? >> Mhm. >> So, yeah, you have to understand it was. there was someone before me, >> right? >> You were um But to see rappers what they. become, they pl they fly private. They. got I mean, I saw Drake D. I was like, "Whoa, man. That got a 767. decked out. these guys, you know, 30, 40, 50, $60.

million. Nothing for these guys now. A. year. Kane probably looking back like, damn, I'm just 40 years too soon. Well said, man. Well said. But, you. know, I I I am so happy for these casts. like, you know, when I see that, you. know, when I hear about um Drake's. success, uh Jay-Z's success, you know, I I I love.

hearing those stories because I know. >> how difficult, especially with Jay-Z. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Because this is someone who I tried to. get a deal for in the early 90s. >> You know what I'm saying? And no one was. receptive. So to see this dude become a. billionaire, I'm like in the face. Yes. Wow. you know, I I I I love it, >> right? >> You know, and and that goes for the rest. of them as well, you know. >> Kane, what is the biggest difference. with rap when you was coming up and and. moving it to the forefront? Let's just.

say when you first started and then say. the first 10 years versus what you see. now in the rap game. >> Well, I mean, I I I have this. conversation with a lot of people all. the time when they're against certain. things that artists of today do. I try. to explain to them that, you know, when we were doing it, you know, um like. the first rap song came out 79. >> Sugar G. >> Yeah. Rap with Delight. Yeah. That's 79.

>> Yeah. >> I got a deal in ' 88. That's 9 years. later. >> Correct. >> Even at that point, hip-hop wasn't. respected as a music genre. >> You know, we wasn't really acknowledged. And. >> damn near couldn't even really get on. the radio. No. Even at that point, you. know, >> even MTV MTV didn't really play y'all. like that and you didn't get the Grammys. didn't acknowledge you until '92. >> There you go. So, it's like it's the. type of thing where I try to explain to. a lot of artists, you know, from my era. It's like. >> you got to separate the culture from the.

genre because now hip-hop is a genre. It's a music genre just like R&B, just. like rock, you know, just like pop. And. let's just look at R&B. Two of the greatest R&B vocalists ever. Marvin Gay, Luther Vandros. >> Mhm. >> Two of the greatest ever. Both of them had writers.

So you see like an artist of today, you. be like, "Yo, so he not even writing his. own stuff. >> yet. He ain't hip-hop." It's like. culturally speaking, that's we don't n. we didn't do that. I'm I I still don't. do that. I let someone write a hook but. not my verse. Okay? >> You know, that's because I'm a part of. the culture. I'm from that era, from. that cloth. >> But artists today, they're coming out in. this thing as it's a hip-hop genre. So, they're looking at themselves as. artists, >> not as MC's.

So, you know, it's different to them. And some of it is still hardcore cuz I. hear that man, he don't even write. He. got ghostriter. He got this. But I never. heard anybody say, "Well, Whitney can't. sing because she didn't write the song. Mariah can't sing because she didn't. write the song." I never hear that with. other with other genres. except rap. That's because it's like. it's people that understand the culture, that understand hip-hop culture, >> you know, cuz like uh what we called.

biting today, they call paying homage. >> Okay? >> You see what I'm saying? Mhm. >> So it's like it's just it's just it's. just different. Like I mean even like um. what we called a freestyle in the 70s. and 80s um. to today they call it a written rhyme, >> right? >> Yeah. Cuz freestyle I'm thinking okay. they say hey coming to the m hey to. freestyle this is Kane. Okay. They start.

playing a beat. you going through, okay, how you want. to, you know, and then you go, if you. already got the song in your head, you. already know what you gonna say and they. drop a beat. That ain't a freestyle. A. freestyle mean you got to come up there. and give it to him free. You don't No, no, that's that's that's today's. definition, >> you know. No, no, you're not wrong. You're not wrong because that is today's. definition. >> Okay. >> But back in the um in the 80s, we said. off the dome.

>> Yes. 70s they said off the top, >> right? >> Today they say freestyle. with us. If you write a rhyme and it's. it's not about a girl, it's not about. poverty, you know, it's not no gangster. stuff about, you know, who you shot up. >> It's just a rhyme just bragging about. how dope you are. That that rhyme that. you wrote, that's called a freestyle cuz. it's free of style, right? >> You're not talking about no specific. subject matter. >> Oh, okay. >> So that's what a freestyle is. >> That's what a freestyle is back in the. day. is that you're not talking about.

anything specific, >> right? Yeah. Off the dome. So you going. up So you just going up there and you. just talking about. >> what they call freestyle now is what we. called off the dome back in the days. >> Oh, okay. Okay. You just say the first. thing come to mind and make it rhyme, you know? >> Right. But what happened to the. lyricist? Where did they go? Did all. y'all retire at once, Kane? Did all. y'all Did all y'all Hey, I'm up out of. here. I'm up. Hey, were you leaving? I'm. leaving. Where? Where are they? Where. are they now? You know the story that.

used to come on TV like the athletes or. whomever that the entertainers, where. are they now? Where are the lyricists. now? >> Kendrick Lamar is a great lyricist. >> Okay. >> Uh JCole. >> Conway the machine, >> okay, >> is a great lyricist. Benny the Butcher. >> Oh, okay. Benny, >> great lyricist. >> Lady London is a magnificent lyricist. JCole is my favorite of this era. >> Really. >> my favorite, you know, great lyricist.

So, they're there. >> They're there. >> They're there. It's just that uh music. is going through this phase where it's, you know, the fans ain't really focused. on the lyrics. When like you talk to. someone, you ask them about a song, the. first thing they say is, "Yo, yeah, that's a vibe.". >> You know, like the disco era. >> Yes. >> You know, you can as long as you could. hear that. >> Yeah. >> You didn't care what the body was. singing. >> You know what I'm saying? It was vibe, you know. >> Um, streaming now, where where are you. on streaming? You cool with it?

>> Um, well, I mean, I don't have no new. music out, you know, so, you know, it is. what it is. Um, I wish it was different. because I understand that, you know, um, artists are not getting the money that. they're supposed to. >> and, um, they're being paid less for. streams, >> right? um so. >> than they would a hard a hard copy. physical. >> you know so I mean I I I I'm I'm. sympathetic you know for um the younger.

generation that's coming out trying to. make music if that's what they plan to. to to do for their livelihood. >> right. >> you know cuz it's going to be very. difficult you know depending on streams. >> right. >> you know Kane when you sold 500,000. copies did you realize what a a feat. what a what you had accomplished did you. understand at that moment what you had. done. >> I Yeah, they gave me the gold record, so. I knew what I did. But it's it's just a. that's never been my mentality, >> right? >> You know, >> um my Grammy, I didn't let me see. I got.

it in 90, maybe 91. I can't remember. what year it was. I mean, I never put it. up until like 2000, you know. Um. my whole thing was this. What meant the. most to me was someone coming up to me. saying, "Yo, man, your music got me. through high school. >> Your music got me through college, >> right? >> Your music got me through Desert Storm.". That's what meant those were the. rewards, >> right?

>> That those were the most important. things to me cuz I'm doing this for my. fans. You know what I'm saying? Not not. not for a Grammy or Soul Train Award or. you know, >> if I get it. >> Oh, you're appreciative of it. But. >> yeah, I'm appreciative. That's not what. I you know what I set out to do. That's. not why I made music. You know. >> your catalog? You you own your catalog? >> Not yet, >> but you going to get it? >> Allah. >> I mean, Allah willing, I hope so, man. You know, >> Prince he really he never let anybody. sample his songs. But you got one.

>> How? >> Um I don't know. Um somebody told me. somebody told me that Prince liked me, you know. Um I mean musically. >> Yeah. um somebody told me that um because um. we met and um you know he he was cool. and uh. when I wanted to use Pop Life, you know, he was with it, you know, even other. than that um when he did the the Batman. soundtrack.

>> Mhm. >> He did a song called Bat Dance. >> and he asked Benny Medina, you know, to. have me, you know, rap on it. >> and I put a verse on it. And with us. both being Warner Brothers, you know, I. think we thought everything was cool cuz. Batman was coming out on Warner Film. >> Yeah. >> Even though 1989, wasn't it? >> I can't I can't remember. >> Yeah. >> But even though um Warner Brothers. Records had rap artists, Warner's film. didn't want nothing to do with hip-hop, so they took my verse off. >> Oh. >> But Prince had me on the song, you know. Yeah. >> Wow.

What are you Where are you on sampling? You let people say, "Let me cuz I asked. LL." A lot of people say, "Yeah, I uh. I'm not really big on sampling." You. talk to Bobby Brown had him on. He's. like, "Ah, I don't I don't really want. to mess it up." But you know what? If. it's the right person and I hear it. first. Somebody comes to Kane and says, you know, they want to sample something. Do you need to hear it before you let. them put it out or you just sign off on. it? >> I'm going be honest with you. I think I. would probably rather not hear it.

>> Really? >> I would rather not hear. Yeah. Cuz if. you hear don't like it, you ain't going. to let them put it up. >> Yeah. I I wouldn't want to not like it. and then be like, "Nah, don't don't. don't you know I It's like if this is an. opportunity for you to shine and, you. know, become successful, I rather, you. know, yo, you just do you because I'm. from that era. >> That's that's all we did, you know, cuz. you have to understand, Shannon, you. know, when hip-hop started, you know, you can't say, "So, what's the origin of.

hip-hop music?" People can ask that. about country. People can ask that about. rock. People can ask that about jazz. You can't ask that about hip-hop. because the origin of hip-hop music is a. DJ cutting up somebody else's music. See. what I'm saying? >> So, there is no origin. Like like uh. Grandmaster Cass, he said it best. Hip-hop didn't invent anything. It. reinvented everything. Those are the. words of Grandmaster Cass. >> Wow. you know, so the musically it, you.

know, that's all we did was rhyme over. other people to break part of other. people's songs. >> So somebody young, that's what they want. to do. Yo, that's hip-hop to me. you. know, do you um it's um Mama Wildy Music. Publishing, but do you. you know, studio when you go when you going in. there like, okay, I'm just trying to. figure out how Kane got himself cuz like. before a game, I'm I'm I'm getting. myself I'm getting in a train of.

thought. Okay, I'm going go play and go. play these. They call this play and this. down in distance. We get this defense, I. need to be ready, blah blah blah. What's. going through when you go into the. studio? What is Kane thinking? >> Well, it depends on what um what I'm. trying to do musically. >> Okay. Cuz um I'll sit and listen to a. beat, come up with a concept, meaning what I want to talk about, and. then I shut the beat off and go. somewhere else with it. Like if it it's. something I want to talk about something.

sad, I turn the beat off and throw some. Otis Ren on or some David Ruffin and. zone out. zone out like you know how can. I you know interpret this in today's. slang like what O is saying what David. Ruffin is saying how can I you know say. that in today's thing I want to say. something sexy turn it off throw some. Marvin Gay on throw some Eley brothers. on you know. yeah smooth you know are you a writer. because you know I listen to people say. like like Hoveve and Lil Wayne and there.

are guys that don't write down anything. ho and and they tell the great story. like Hoveve hear a and he bobbing his. head up in the corner. and then he'll go in there and he'll. just lay his track. Are you a writer? Do. you like Right. Yeah. Um. I I love to think of myself as an. artist. When I say artist, I don't mean. musical artist. I mean artists like I'm. painting. So, it's like I like to take.

my time and. paint a portrait just right. Even if I. have to walk away from it from for a. couple of days and come back and finish. then, I like to take my time so I can. paint it just right cuz from that first. line to the very last one, I want it all. to make sense and connect. >> Tie it up. Tie everything ties together. It has to have a meaning. >> Yeah. Um, you've been in the studio with Teddy. Riley, Patty Leel, Barry White, Cub.

Hammer, Buster Rhymes, UGK, 36 Mafia, The Game. Like, when you go in studio, is there a different Kane? Is there a. different mindset according to who. you're going in studio with? >> Um, no, no, no, no. Um, >> are you trying, let's just say I'm I'm. one of the dope rappers. I'm one of the. top five rappers out right now. And I. said, Kane, I want to get you on this. track. >> Mhm. You coming in today, you trying to. destroy me or you trying to say, "Hey, the man invited me on the track. Let me. do my thing and get up out of here. You.

trying to you trying to you trying to. outshine me?". >> It depends on, you know, how how you. address me. You know, if you you ask me. to do the song with you and spread love, then I I I I want you to shine. >> Okay? >> I'm going to do something to make my. presence felt, but I'm not going to. overdo it. I want you to shine. >> Okay? >> If you like, All right. You know I can't I need you. to be spitting hard. You know what I'm. saying? Don't come up here. None of that. sexy [ __ ] man. I need you to a word.

Okay. Got you. >> That's what you want. >> Got you. No problem. Yeah. Now I'mma eat. you up. >> Yeah. But when we were talking about uh to go. back when we talked about the lyricist. and you mentioned like some of the. lyricists now Kane. >> bro it's like every other artist was a. lyricist in your time. >> I mean they were tremendous with words.

>> Yeah. >> They did not play. >> I mean you look at uh KRS1 you look at. Cool Mod D. You look at you like. yourself. You look at Molly M. I mean, you got [ __ ] bro. >> Back then it was very, very, you know, important. And I feel like people that were getting. an understanding of hip-hop, >> that's what they were looking for, >> right? >> You know, >> they were looking for lyrical MC's. And. then, especially after um like '86 when.

when when when Rock Kim came out. >> Yeah. Um, I think that like a lot of labels. were really starting to look for lyrical. MC's because. >> proud of that. Were they looking for. that? >> I think that um during the Run DMC on up. to the Salt and Pepper era, they were. looking for people that could have party. songs. >> Mhm. Okay. >> You know, party songs, the songs that. bang in the club and, you know, you. could, you know, dance to. I think that.

they were looking more for that, >> right? you know. Um, but then ' 86, you. know, uh, you had Rock Kim, you had. KRS1. Um, and I think they started really. looking for more lyrical stuff, right? And then 87, you had myself, Coogi Rap, >> you know, and that was just pretty much. Yeah. You got to be like this to get a. to get a to get a deal. >> But did you But uh, did you guys come. from battling backgrounds? Is that where. the lyricist Yeah. the real the true.

because they have a little bit of it. now, but not like then cuz you guys had. like groups and you guys would go and. you guys would battle. >> Mhm. >> You know, and and that and I was doing. research for this thing, Kane. >> Mhm. >> Man, y'all beefed all the time. It. wasn't everything was a beef. I'm like, what? Here I am thinking like, man, these guys beefing out. No, no. Y. uh uh uh uh Juice Crew and the Boogie. and the Boogie Down. I was like, damn.

>> Yeah, there was there was you know um. there was um yeah, MC Shan and Caris. one, you know, they had you know the. juice crew, >> right? >> Boogie Down Productions. Um Beef um MC. Light and Anuanette. >> Yeah. >> Um LL Cool J and Kumo D. >> Y. >> you know. Yeah. Yeah. It it was so this. thing go people look at it now and think. okay and obviously the big one uh uh um. Drake and and and and Kendrick Lamar. >> but then you know people forgot then.

like okay well Biggie and Tupac had a. thing going and then NWA Ice Cube when. he left he came out with no Vaseline and. they were going back and forth Jay-Z and. Nas. >> Jay-Z and Nas uh even um. >> even though LL and Kumo LL and Kumo D. but he had one with Fam. When you go back and look, say like from. 85. to like 90, bro, y'all stayed into it. >> Yeah. >> Y'all stay. Y'all stayed into it.

>> I mean, you got to keep in mind, we were. all very very competitive. >> Yes. >> Very very competitive. >> Yes. You know, I mean, like. I've had like I've had Run, Reverend. Run, >> yes, >> come to me in my dresser room and tell. me how dope of an MC I am, how much he. love me. I go on stage, do my thing, rip. it down. Run the MC come on after me and.

run be like, you know, like, all right, you know. So Kane came up here and did. his thing, you know. Well, we had a lot. of superstars in this house tonight, but. I want you to know this is my M&F MF in. the house, you know, >> like whoa, whoa, bro. >> Like, you know, I mean, this is stuff. I've seen, you know, stuff where like. Eric B is at my house on a Thursday. night, >> right? >> We sitting there laughing at our. fathers. He he brought his pops over and.

we sitting at laughing at our fathers. trying to look at Luke Skywalker videos. and what I mean and Eric sitting there. like look at them play dirty old asses. man we laughing Friday night we got a. show together Eric will walk right past. me like you don't know me. >> you know cuz I mean we we were very. competitive like that you know. >> it's time to lock in now. >> Yeah. Yeah. You know but it was love. It. was love. It wasn't no real beef right. It was like I got to have it tonight. >> Right. >> That's all. I got to have it tonight. You won the Grammy with Quincy Jones, who was the greatest producer of all.

time. What made Quincy so special? >> Quincy, man. Like, Quincy is one hell of a producer. Quincy. has an amazing vision. >> That ear, man. >> You know, you go Ray Charles to Frank. Sinatra to Michael Jackson to. >> Yeah. Nah, I mean. with me knowing this dude don't really. know hiphop like that. I'm like, "Yeah, you made the dude, but you know, okay,

you know, you know, I'm I'm in the. studio and he's like, "What you know. about Sarah Vaughn?". Nothing, you know. Um, what you know about Ella. Fitzgerald? She'd be scatting, you know. You know, he's asking, he's like, he has. someone bring I didn't even know this. existed. Did you know that back in the. 90s they had black encyclopedias? >> No. Neither did I. They brought like. about 20 I don't know 20 30 books in. black encyclopedias and we going through.

and looking up Sarah Vaughn um Dizzy. Gillespie Ella Fitzgerald. And as I'm. looking he's like oh you know uh me and. Miles Davis we used to call each other. such and such. Um you know um Ella um. and and he's telling me all these. stories and he's like that real fast. thing. Can you keep it going? Because. like it reminds me of Ella Fitzgerald. when she does her scatting, when you do. that real fast rapping and I think it'll. really compliment the track. Like this. is Quincy talking to me. >> And I'm like, "Yeah, all right. Whatever. you want." And so I mean it's like he's.

given me direction as a hip-hop artist. how to rhyme on a jazz record. >> That's how bad he was. >> Wow. >> Yeah. Do we appreciate him properly, >> Quincy? >> Yeah. >> Um I think that real music fans do. real. music fans know the importance of him, >> you know, know the impact that he's had, what he's done for, um, uh, people, you. know, like myself, um, I'll be sure. Barry White, you know, what he's done. for Michael Jackson, what he's done for.

Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, and so many. other, so many soundtracks. I think. that, you know, people that really. appreciate music, they Yeah. >> And I mean, he uh, I think he did the. thing for Sanford and Son. So many of. these the jingles for the uh, the these. sitcoms. >> Yeah. He wrote He wrote those. Oh yeah. No. Amazing. Have you ever been starruck. in your in your 30 37 years? I said 40. In your 37 years, have you ever been. starruck by someone?

>> Um. h. >> maybe in the earlier days. I mean now. you you came everybody know who you know. you're one of the greatest lyricists. ever. Um. yeah. I think um the first time I met. Barry White, First time I met Barry. White, it caught me off guard. I was. like, "Oh, you know, you know." Yeah. Uh Barry. White. Yeah. Yeah. That that that one, you know, really had caught me off. guard. And that was at Quincy Jones. house.

>> Really? >> Yeah. A cookout. Yeah. >> How do you determine who you're going to. collab with? People come in, they call. you like, "Okay, we you know, we want a. ride. We want to we want to jump on. something with you. want you to jump on. something with us. How do you determine. Have you ever said no? Would you say no? >> No, I've said no. I've said no. Um to a. lot of people um sometimes it's like um. I don't like the direction of the song. >> Okay. And there's been times where it's. like I I don't I don't really see how I.

can sit in this, >> right? >> You know, and I mean that happens with. with with stuff that I do. I I'll a. track that I'm trying to do just by. myself. I write something to it and once. I say it, it ain't sitting right. Nah, this ain't you know. So, you know, there's been situations like that. >> Is it hard? >> It's what hard? >> Is it hard for you to turn somebody. down? >> Nah. Nah. Cuz I mean, in the end, you. want it to be right, right? >> And even though, you know, in your mind, you may think that it's going to be. right just because I'm on it. I'm. telling you, this ain't going to be. right. >> This ain't it. >> Yeah. Yeah. You know,

>> you did a song with Tito Jackson. How. did you How does. Kane do a song with Tito Jackson? Um. well that came through my management um. you know like uh my manager Seaquan had. um told me about it. You know I was like. you know I'm grew up listening to. Jackson 5. I'd love to. So then they. sent the song and I heard the singing. and I called my manager back and I'm. like man this ain't no goddamn Tito. Jackson man. This they trying to get us. see if we can get Tito on the phone. And. then he um set up a call and Tito got on.

the phone. He was like hey what's. happening baby? What's happening man? Yeah. I thought oh yeah that's him. I'm. like again what you want. >> Right. Because because if you didn't. know cuz the only really voice you ever. heard was Michael's. >> Well, now I've heard Cheeto sing, right? And he has more of a blues feel. >> Oh. >> So like when I heard this with the whole. it had that. >> poppish Justin Timberlake feel. So I'm. like this ain't no damn Tito Jackson, right? >> This somebody trying to use his name, you know? This ain't Tito Jackson.

>> But um then when I talked to him on the. phone I'm like no that's definitely. Tito. >> Right. You've cmulated a lot of relationships. in this business. Uh you OB. um. how did you guys how did you guys meet? Uh I had a show with Wu Chang at New at. Newark Symphony Hall in New Jersey. >> Okay. >> And that was my first time ever seeing. him. >> So I you know I stood up in the balcony. and watched them. And then I told my.

road manager, "Yo, do me a favor. get. the old dirty bastard dude and get the. girl with half her hair braided and. bring them upstairs. I want to meet. them. And then he brought them up and um. cuz I I couldn't really see see cuz I. was way way up. >> So when he brought them up, he was like, "Yo, yeah, yeah." But he's like, "That's. not a girl. That's a little kid, dude. named Shaheen." I'm like, "Oh, okay. My. bad." And they came in and I I told him.

how dope they was. And from that moment, we clicked and Old Dirty and Shaheim. hung out with me that night, right? We. went to a party in Queens and we hung. out and we was tight ever since then. >> How soon can you tell. somebody is really good? You know, sometimes you can meet someone. and. it just, you know, it just feel that. way. um you know like off the cuff you. meet them and it's like you know like I. love this person energy. Sometimes you.

can meet someone and you can't really. figure them out. You have to really get. to know each other because it's like. >> you seen them on TV. >> that image that you know you created a. perception. >> and that's not a great representation. You need to you need to see somebody in. their natural element to get a real. sense or a true feel of who and what. they really are. >> Yeah. >> So you figure you hey hey let's go break. bread. You come to my house, I come to. your house, we get into the studio and. to get a sense of who you are as an. individual. >> Yeah. Like I've I've done that with a.

lot of people, you know, because um you. know, sometimes. people trying to read me. So, you know, it's like, let me talk, you know, let me let me. vibe with you first. Let's see where we. at, >> right? >> You know, >> and you know, I mean, I think that's. important. I mean, I felt like Quincy. Jones did that. Okay. When we worked. together, I felt like he did that when. we worked together. Cuz it was like me, Melly Mel, Kumo D, and Ice Tea. We all in the.

studio. And then he like, "Um, what you doing. tomorrow? Can you come by?" Like, "Yeah, I come. by.". And we just talking. We just sitting. there talking. And then we went in um. and he was doing something to the Secret. Gardens track. >> Yeah. James Ingram and Debarge. >> But he was it was just I I didn't I. didn't hear nobody vocals. It was just. the beat playing and he was messing with.

some EQs or something to to that. >> And then we talking about this and that. >> and like he was feeling me out. >> and then that's when he asked me about. what do I know about, you know, Saravon? you know, next thing you know, here's. all these black encyclopedias and we. chopping it up. >> Right. >> You mentioned something earlier about. Bobby Brown did you a solid. Um, and. there was really at that point in time. there were not a whole lot of mixing. I. mean, he was an R&B and he brought a rap. artist on and gave you 5, 10, 15 minutes. to do your thing.

>> Yeah. Like 10 minutes. Yeah. >> Did you realize how impactful that was. and how that was going to change your. life? >> Yeah. I mean I mean I dreamed of playing. the garden and you know it was like if I. never get to I did it that one time. >> Yeah. You know. Yeah. And you know Bobby. Bobby Bobby was my boy. Like that was my. dude. >> Like I I never forget back in I want to. say. >> h maybe early 2000s I was hanging out in.

St. Louis with um Bobby Wulmat. >> Okay. and he was telling me these stories. about what him and Wilson Picket used to. do. And I'm, you know, I'm taking it in, absorbing it, and I'm laughing. But the. whole time I'm listening to the stories, saying to myself, "Yo, he's sitting here. describing me and Bobby, >> right?". >> Like everything he's saying is the crazy. [ __ ] me and Bobby did together, you. know? I'm like, "Wow, this is amazing, man.".

>> Right. Another another uh lyricist was. Slick Rick, but you all didn't always. have the best relationship. How does. beef. develop between artists? Um, if we were to take women out of the. equation, cuz we know women can, you. know, he was dating her and blah blah, whatever the case may be. But how do. beef develop between artists? >> Sometimes beef can develop, you know, uh, over, you know, you know, status.

ranking. >> I'm better than you. You better than me. >> Yeah. Sometimes it can, you know, it can. be because of that. You know, >> my claim, look, if you got something. that I want and I need to get it, I need. to get at you then. >> Yeah. >> Have you ever have you ever done that? Like, okay, he on top of the mountain, so let me let me go at him. And then. even if I don't get him, at least I'll. get his audience's ear and now they know. about me. Cuz I I tell people that all. the time. A lot of time in this. industry, in the podcasting industry,

sometimes when you're higher up, people. that are a little lower on the podcast. as far as subscription, views, whatever. the case may be, they might take a shot. at you. just so if you respond. your your listeners ear now, they got. it. >> Yeah. No, that's what a lot of people. do. >> A lot of people do that. I mean, me, it. was never that type of situation. >> Okay. you know. >> So, you didn't have no be with Slick? >> Um, me and Slick, we had um a issue.

during the LL tour, but we resolved it, you know? Right. Yeah, we resolved. >> Y'all was going to tour together. >> It's a LL Nitro tour. >> How the hell that go? Y'all got to get. along cuz y'all going to be on that. thing every night. >> Exactly. So, like I said, we resolved. it. We resolved it and continued to. finish the tour and make money, man. Cohen. I mean, he was a big prominent. during that time. He was I'm trying to. think who's the equivalent of him now in. today's industry. Lauren.

>> Who? >> Laura Coin. >> Leo Coin. >> Yeah. Who is the equivalent of him right. now? >> I don't know. Um I don't know. >> because in the uh 80s and 90s that's the. only name that you really heard. >> Um. maybe this maybe the Steve Stat but you. know he's I think that he do he moved. more quietly. >> Yes. Yes. You had a Mike Tyson story of.

of. >> you and Mike was cool. >> Oh yeah. >> I love Mike man. Cuz how long how long. have you known Mike? >> Um. I knew Mike um you know since you know. the late late ' 80s when I came out. >> We met you know we just bonded and we. was cool. So it was like anytime we see. each other we pretty much hanging the. rest of the night. >> right? >> You know. >> Mike tell the story that you you know.

you you good with you good with these. things though Kane. That that what Mike. said. >> I mean I'm 56 years old man. You know, I. ain't fighting nobody. >> No, he ain't talking about now. He. talking about back then. >> I mean, you know, people people tried. the young Kane. >> People try everybody, Sh. People try. everybody, you know. You know, >> I try to stay out the way, Kane. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's that's that's. the that's the best thing to do, you. know. >> Yeah, man. >> Yeah. Cuz you done moved somewhere nice. and quiet. Ain't no rumblings. I mean,

you hear the birds chirping, the. crickets, and the wind the whale. rustling. That's that's all you hear. now. >> Yeah. I mean, but you know, in all. actuality, it's like I I don't think. that even when I was younger, that's. what I I I I wanted. >> Mhm. >> You know, cuz I mean, I'm I'm from the. hood. And. through my career, you never really. heard me glorifying it or or or talking.

much about it, right? >> I talk about the comeup, >> you know? Um, so it was type of thing. where I wanted a better life, >> right? And when I became successful, I. went back to the hood, grabbed cats. from, you know, um, from off of Lewis. Avenue, from where I live, grabbed cats. from, you know, on Brooklyn projects, Brevo projects, LG projects, took them. on the road with me, >> you know, not to show off, but so they. can see what I'm doing to be inspired.

>> Right. Right. Right. >> You understand what I'm saying? I want. to try to help them to try to figure out. a way to get out the hood. What you. thinking about? What you feeling? What. you want to do? >> But you know sometimes when you do that. Kane, people be thinking you be trying. to show you be trying to help somebody. and people think you trying to show out. Trying you trying to shine on them. >> That's the [ __ ] that you left on. the block. That's who say that. You know what I. mean? The one that you took, he get it. >> He appreciate it. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> What do you think the dopest song you.

ever wrote? Um, I would say. the dopest rhyme I ever wrote was a on a. song called Mortal Combat where I said. none of her in front of cuz every one of. my adversaries lack your little son of. obituary columns of read your name if. you ever try to step to the big deck. I. think that was my dopest line, right? >> My dopest song I believe was a song on.

um uh forget the album. I think it might. have been Taste of Chocolate. Uh, called. Mr. Pitiful because it was heartfelt. It. was me talking about um personal stuff. that I was going through at the time. >> You know what I'm saying? And I I'm not. used to doing that. I'm not comfortable. doing that. So, I think that's the. dopest song I ever wrote. But my most. motivational song is um for my first. album, Set It Off, >> right? I I normally perform it first or. second in my stage show because, you. know, it could be nights where, you.

know, um, >> ankle hurting. You know, I have. arthritis in my back. My back, you know, messed up. >> Soon as I hear that, all the pain go away. >> I'm, you know, I'm 20 years old again. I'm 19 years old again. You know, everything is back to normal, >> right? >> That just just, that song just motivates. me. >> Yeah. >> Do you still write today? Absolutely. >> You writing for you or you writing for. someone else.

>> Um for me mainly for me mainly. >> Yeah. >> You looking to put something you looking. to put something out you going to do or. you just like. >> Yeah. Um. I let um I let LL Cool J and Q-Tip. convince me to do M new music. So um. >> Yeah. L said he Excuse me. I had LL on. about a year ago. LL say he going to be. on the stage like MC Jagger. L El L say. L say he going to be out there like 70. 80. I mean I I I think he can do it, you.

know. Um that title that that title the. goat I think he deserves it and he wears. it well, you know, cuz I mean I don't I. don't I don't see nobody else that can. actually say that, you know, they've. charted. for uh what is it like. >> four different decades? >> 80s, 90s, 2000. He three he had he had. five decad five yeah charted for five. decades you know nobody else in hip hop. can say that his longevity is like yeah.

he. >> is he is appreciated is he is respected. as he needs to be because ll really ll. brought the women cuz he was the first. one to start rapping about women when. I'm alone in my room. I think that you know I think that true. hip-hop fans understand and respect Now. it's just that he's become such a big. movie star. >> outside of music. >> Yeah. >> It's kind of like Hoveve Hoveve got his. start in music, but Ho ain't really.

doing anything. He's a mogul. He doing. Yeah. But I think they still respect um. Jay-Z as a a lyricist, as an MC. You. know what I'm saying? It's like. >> he's recent. >> cuz it's like everything that he does. outside of music is business. >> Yes. >> L Queen Latifah, what they do is film. Hollywood. >> Yes. >> So, they're seen more as movie stars. >> than MC's, >> but you know, >> you can sleep if you want to. LL Cool J.

and Queen Latifah will drop a hot 16 on. you and murder the mic any given night. >> Latifah definitely don't get what she. deserve. >> Yeah. >> Because when they start talking about. women and rap and they go to all these. and that's not to to minimize anybody. name that they mention, but y'all forget. about the queen. >> Yeah. And I and it's like you you you. can't do that because she did so much. for the culture. Yes. >> And for female MC's, right? She broke. down so many doors. >> Your song Raw. Did you take Cuz Eddie.

Murphy had a a tour? >> Raw. Is that where you got the title. from or you just did that on your. >> No, just on just on my own. Just on my. own, you know. Um you know, it's it was. just really just uh slang, right? You. know, you know, like um you know, oh. nah, this going to be raw, >> right? >> We going to write No, this going to be. something raw. Cuz it it was when we did. that song, it was like I I had been. figning for months. >> Mhm. >> To put a song out by myself, >> okay?

>> My very first song was me and Biz, okay? >> Or just Rhyming with Biz. >> And it was getting airplay. The problem. was no one was booking me for shows. because all the promoters thought it was. a new biz song, >> right? So even though I have a song out. and it's playing on the radio, I'm not. making no money. I'm sitting at home. broke. You know what I'm saying? Right? Like we had to walk to the walk to the. um corner bodega. >> and steal canned shrimp and Mrs. Paul's. fish sticks to for dinner.

>> while my song is playing on the radio. You know, we stealing food to eat for. the night. So I'm going to the person. that owned the label, Fly Ty Williams, like, "Yo, can I please put something. out with just me?" And he's like, "Yo, we still got life in this song. We need. to let it. >> Yeah, but I ain't got no food in my. stomach. >> Yeah. You know what I'm saying? >> No money in my pocket. >> Yeah. Then finally, I guess he got tired. of me ass. And then, you know, he was. like, you know, Yeah. Go record. something. We see. That's why the very. first thing I say on the song is here I. am. R A W. Because I felt like, okay,

finally I I get to be me. I get to do. me. >> When you get that opportunity, you know, you got to come with it, Kane. You know. you got to murder this. >> Mhm. cuz this is your opportunity. because like you said, you got a song on. there but they think it's an OB song and. not you. And so now this is your. opportunity and like M said, hey, if you. had one chance, one opportunity, would. you capture it? Did you know. this is my this was my opportunity and I. got to do this. >> with RAW? Absolutely. Like I said, I was.

home broke with a song playing on the. radio. So I knew that, okay, this is. this is it, right? This is it. This is. do or die. You know, >> was that common? Was that common, Kane, to have guys had songs on the radio and. they still ain't really got no money in. their pocket? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> How is that possible? >> Well, I mean, I want to say that my. first show I ever did was probably for. $750.

$750. >> $750. I think my first very first performance. was for $750. Did you have to pay to get to the show? >> I don't remember. Um, no. We probably. used a Well, we probably used a li Yeah, we probably used a limo and I had to pay. the limo driver. Yeah. So, yeah. >> Well, damn. >> Yeah. So, you guys I think the thing is cuz a. lot of people do this. You look at and. you look at the athletes back in the 40s. and 50s, 60s, 70s and like damn they.

made good money by standard. But now. they look at athletes in today's time. and they see guys got 60 million, 70. million, $80 million contracts. They. making 30, 40, 50 million off. You. looking at right like man I did my first. show $750 and you see Kendrick making. 134 million a show. >> Yeah. >> Like damn. I used to tell my mom said, "Mom, you couldn't wait 10 years. That's. all you do. You wait 10 years. You and. dad wait 10 years and your boy in the. money." You know, I mean, I'mma be.

honest with you, man. It's like had it. happened that way financially, I would. probably be so much more better, >> but um would the legacy be the same? >> You know what I'm saying? Would the. legacy be the same? >> Like, um I believe that the Big Daddy. Kane legacy will be here when I'm long. gone, you know? >> Yep. And you. what you wrapped about then versus what.

they rap about now. I think what you wrapped about then has. stay in power because it wasn't girls or. getting the bed or what X Y and Z. Well, I wrapped a little about the girls. But I'm look I'm thinking K I'm like. well damn how did you come up with the. name Big Daddy Kane? Where did that come. from? >> Um well it was really just MC Kane. Okay. Like um yeah, it was just MC Kane. Um and I used the name Kane from.

the Kungpoo. >> Yeah. David Keredine. Um Kung Fu, you know, we outside, you know, we. playing tag or Coco Levio, red light, green light, you know. Um 3:00 on. Saturday. Um I'm gone, >> right? >> Game over. I got to go watch, you know, Kung Fu Theater, >> right? >> No. So they'd be like, "All right, we. just lost Bruce Lee. All right, we just. lost Young Grasshopper. We just lost. Kane. So when I decided to change my my.

rap name, I was like, "Yeah, I like Kane. better than Young Grasshopper," you. know? So I just MC Kane, >> but I would use the term Big Daddy a lot. in the rhyme. >> Right. >> And Biz was the one that told me, "Now. you need to just put that all together. >> Put that together to be Big Daddy Kane.". Yeah. >> Not MC Kane. >> Yeah. >> Cuz there were a lot of MC's back then, too, though. >> Oh, yeah. So you and and now Big Daddy. Kane stands apart. >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean that's like.

it's it's funny to me because like to. see that a name like that could actually. have stay power. >> Mhm. >> Cuz there's very few names that really. have that, >> right? >> Big Daddy Kane, Douggee Fresh, right? you know, you know, Scarface, >> you know, cuz like there's some names. like like like. um if your rap name would have been. Shannon D, you know what I'm saying? >> That thing ain't nobody in here. >> It's like certain names. >> Ain't nobody going remember that. >> Yeah. You know, it's certain names that,

you know, didn't have that state stay. power, you know. So, I mean, that's. definitely a blessing that, you know, it. don't sound corny today. You riding. around in your car today. Who you. listening to? >> Same person I always been listening to. >> Okay. >> Willie Willie Hutch or David Ruffin. >> Oh, so you don't listen to You listen to. You listen to old school. >> Yeah. But I mean, as far as the new. artists, when I do listen, I I listen to. new artists mainly in the house, right? >> Um, Lady London,

um, Lady London, Conway the Machine. Those are probably the main two new. artists I love. I love the um the new um. Tyler the Create album. My son turned me. on to it. >> Okay. >> Tyler new album is fire. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> When you listen I give you an example. When I watch a a football game or I'm. watching a sporting event, I'm. critiquing. I'm analyzing. Okay, man. They're in this coverage or they're in. this formation. It's this down in.

distance, this area of the field. This. is what I think they should be doing. This is what I think the defense should. be doing. When you listen to a new. artist, when you listen to rap, are you. dissecting it like that or you just. enjoy. >> I've always done that. >> I've always done that. I've always done that. And um not only. have I always done that, sometimes I. linger around the artists hoping, you. know, that they ask me for my point of. view, >> you know, like I hear something that. where I could have took it to the next.

level, you know, while everybody else. zoning out like, "Yeah, that's fire. That's fire." I'll be up close to the. artist like just here like just waiting, you know, just patiently waiting like. >> just ask me. Just. >> Yeah, just ask me, >> you know, cuz I mean, you know, I I I. want to see everybody shine, man. I want. to see everybody shine, man. >> If you could jump on a track with. somebody today, give me give me four or. five artists you'd like to jump on a. track with today. Uh right now today.

um. uh. JCole of course. >> Mhm. >> Um. JCole, Lady London. Um CeeLo Green, Anthony Hamilton. Uh. I would have never put you I'd never put. you and Anthony Hamilton and then CeeLo. together. I'd have thought you'd have. like, you know, okay, obviously JCole. because you say he's he's your favorite. today because he's a you know, he's a. lyricist. I would have think thought you.

to say maybe somebody like a Wayne or or. you know, whoever, you know, I would I would I would have never put. you with CEO and and Anthony Hamilton. >> CEO a slick talker, man. >> He is. >> He a slick talker, man. >> Yeah. The dungeon. Yeah. Yeah. He he he. a slick talker. You know what you want. to do? You want me to run through with. my gun? Drew, this [ __ ] done did. something that he can't undo and. anybody's with him, they deserve one, too. Like, like I love, man. >> Well, people don't realize, but he has a. tremendous voice also.

>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And Anthony Hamilton, you know, it's like it's like I love. soul music. >> Yes. >> And we don't have too many um you know, soul singers um left. >> No. you know, um, you know, I mean, we. we have, you know, we still got, um, Al. Green, the OJ's, um, Ronald Eley, but I. mean, like from the younger, well, I. mean, from our generation, um, you know, um, you know, Anthony Hamilton, Casey. Haley, Dave Hollister, Fantasia, um,

Jennifer Hudson, right? You know, it's, you know, not too many soul singers, you. know, left. It's a different time and I. don't know if it's ever going to be like. what it once was with the soul singers. when you mention you mentioned uh um you. had uh Barry White and you had Marvin. Gay and you had Hatheraway and you had. Freddy Jackson and you had Teddy. Pendergrass and you had Marvin Gay and. you had this one. >> You had 10 15 20. >> Oh yeah. >> And you had 10 15 20 women.

>> Oh yeah. Abs. Absolutely. because and and a lot of times I uh I've. asked artists that I've been fortunate. enough to sit down and is hip-hop is. hip-hop dead or R&B dead. um maybe in that format maybe as we saw. it when we were growing up Kane I think. that. it's it doesn't have a strong presence. in mainstream. >> okay. >> but it's still there it's still there. because um you you you you got to think.

Even when we had artists like the OJ's. >> Mhm. >> Isley brothers, Teddy Pendergrass, Patty. Leel, >> Mhm. >> in mainstream. >> Mhm. Stephanie and the Stephanie Mills. And. >> we had all them in mainstream. >> Yes. >> We still was able to find artists like. Lenny Williams. >> Yes. >> You know what I'm saying? We still was. able to, you know, find artists like um, you know, um, Sam and Dave. like it was. artists that that wasn't, you know, like.

in the mainstream like that, you know, but soulful artists, >> right? >> You know what I'm saying? That that we. had to search for, >> right? >> You know, and that's what it is today. You just have to search for them, you. know? Only thing is just that there's. not any in the mainstream like there was. then. >> Are we ever going to get another Sam. Cook? Are we ever going to get another. Marvin Gay? Are we going to ever get. another, you know, Barry White? Are we. ever going to get another. >> Aretha? I hope not. Whitney, I hope not. >> Damn. Come on, Kane. Don't you?

>> No. No. I want them to be in the class. by themselves. I don't want another Sam. Cook. I want to hear someone that might. remind me of Sam Cook but got their own. lane, right? Got their own style. Okay. >> You know what I'm saying? Cuz um nah. Cuz I I I don't want nobody trying to. replace Sam Cook Legacy or Marvin Gay. Legacy, you know? I I I mean like um I. um I like October London. Okay. you know. what he does in the Marvin flavor, but. you know he got his own thing.

>> Got his own thing. Yeah. >> Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. So, I mean, >> let me JCole there is I guess it started. out and Kendrick said they talking about. the big three is just big me and Cole. started on this journey like no I'm off. and I've talked to a lot of people that. said look if somebody called you out you. got to jump off the porch. I know Kane. would have jumped off the porch. >> Goddamn right. Um, but. um, I'mma tell you something. Uh, I. remember talking to Papoose about it.

and then Cole pulled the song back and. said that he not there. >> Mhm. >> And I was mad. >> Really? >> I was mad. I'm like, "No, come on, brother. Man, call you out. You got to. come back." Yeah. I was mad. But then as. I watched the Drake and Kendrick battle. unfold, I had so much respect for Cole decision. I respected his decision so much more.

because it was like I don't feel like. the fans were enjoying the battle. I. think the fans were taking too much time. trying to fact check what they're. saying, >> right? >> You know, it's like it's a battle, >> right? So whether it's true or not, I that. >> Well, I mean, if you dissing someone, >> Yeah. >> it's a 50 to 75% chance that you going. to lie about some [ __ ] You know what. I'm saying? >> I mean, when when LL went at Hammer,

>> yeah, >> my old gym teacher ain't supposed to. rap. >> When was Hammer ever ll's gym teacher? >> You know it ain't true, but the line was. funny as hell. >> Exactly. >> You see what I'm saying? >> Yes. >> So, I mean, it's like, you know, just. enjoy the battle. And I don't think I. just feel like I don't think I don't. think the fans would have really. appreciated it. I don't think that it. would have had the impact that the Jay-Z. and Nars battle had um that the um Tupac.

Biggie. >> Yeah. Shan. Yeah. Shan and KRS. I don't. think it would had the type of impact, >> you know. Yeah. Right. you were up close and personal with the. rap beef because I I I and my 1987 we. had an inter mural basketball team. >> and the name of my team was the Juice. Crew Allstars. >> featuring Oh My Goodness. >> Wow. >> I wish Mr. Magic was alive to hear that, man. >> Man, and I'm going try I'm going try to. find I'mma try to find that shirt. because that was the name of Juice Crew.

Allstars. And And I go when I go back. and look, bro, y'all were loaded. Yeah, >> y'all. Uh, Coogi Rap, >> DJ Polo, yourself. Uh, Bismar, MC Sh. Yes. >> Yeah. Glamorous, Deb, Master Ace, Craig. G. Yeah. Tragedy. >> Yeah. >> How y'all How did all y'all come. together? >> Um Well, um I I mean I I would I would.

um. >> cuz that's kind of where you got your. start, right? I Yeah, I would credit. that to Fly Tai and Molly Maul. >> Okay. >> You know, >> did you realize that you were a part of. something special then? >> Absolutely. >> You did. You knew it. >> Well, I mean, Mr. Magic was the official. voice of of hip-hop radio. >> Okay. >> You know, like he's the person that. broke hip-hop records. and I'm part of his crew, >> right? >> So, I don't have to wait outside BLS.

It's like, yeah, you know, this is a new. joint. I'm part of the group, >> right? >> You know what I'm saying, >> right? >> Yeah. So, I knew I was part of something. special. >> Lyricist, you mentioned 1986. Rock him thinking of a master plan, >> but ain't nothing but inside my hand. So, I. >> that song. >> Uhhuh. >> that took rap to another level because. at that point in time, nobody had ever. really sounded like him. I mean, he was. very methodical. You could hear every.

every word he said. You could hear it. >> It was no this now Kane. I don't know. what. >> I think that what Rockim did was brought. lyricism. back into the game. >> Because um you know it's like it was to. me the most important MC ever is Melly. Mel. >> Okay. you know, um because I feel like, you know, Cats in the 70s was basically. trying to either sound like um DJ.

Hollywood, Eddie Chiba, or Love Bug Stski. >> Okay. >> And Melly Mel is the one that presented. lyricism. He started lyricism in the. game. >> Was it the message when he. >> No, no, no. Long before that. >> Yeah. Um, and and it it was like, you. know, when he did that, it I think it. made people start really paying more. attention to the MC because back then it. was really all about the DJ.

>> Flash, >> uh, Africa Bamb cool her, you know, Breakout, it was about the DJ, >> you know. Uh, I think Melly Mel gave the. MC an identity. >> because he put lyricism in it, you know. So, it's like he he created something um. that that that gave us an identity, but. then as um we started making records in. 79 and stuff, you know, the records had. more of a party feel, so the focus. wasn't really on the the the the.

lyricism. >> and and then like when Rock Kim come in. ' 86, he brought it back to that. >> Yes. >> You know, but he felt that you to you. rapped about a song and he's uh I see. leaders and I laugh and he thought you. was taking a shot at it. Say what? Yeah, I was I was uh he. thought you was subliminally dissing him. in a song by saying, "I see leaders and. I laugh.". Nah. Um. what happened was um.

he um what was the line he had? Uh. word the daddy. >> It was a this song. No, no, no. He had. um I think it's follow follow leader. He. had a song. >> for Fita and he said word to daddy. indeed. >> I took it as a disc, >> you know. So I did write, you know, a. line. But what happened was one night. cuz you got understand Eric be brother.

was my road manager, >> right? >> Okay. >> So like me and Eric, you know, was. solid, you know. So this girl got in the. car one night and she gave me a photo. and the photo said, "Dear Kane, I want. to set it off and get RA ain't no half. stepping because I'm going to break your. wrath in half." So when I saw it, cuz at. the same time you talking about that, they were saying that Rock Kim had a. song called Break the Wrath in Half. Dissing Me. Oh, okay. So.

I um gave a picture to Eric brother and. he's like, "Yo, what you mean by break. the raff?" And she like, "Oh yeah, Eric. got this here song." I mean Eric and Ra. Kim got this song called Break the Raff. in Half Trying to Diss You. Um I heard. it and he's like, "You heard it? We. Yeah, he played it for me on Jamaica. Avenue." And I'm sitting there crying, laughing. I'm crying, laughing like and. every time I'm looking at Eric, brother. Aunt, you know, we just start laughing, >> right? So finally the girl, she looks at. aunt, she's like, "Yo, why he keep.

looking at you and laughing saying, "What you work with, Eric?" or. something. And aunt was like, "No, I. live with him, [ __ ] That's my. brother.". >> Wow. And she said, "Well, you know how. [ __ ] talk.". So aunt was like, "Yo, it's going too. far, right? >> Y'all need to talk, >> right? >> Would you talk to him?" I'm like, "I. don't care." So he called Rock Kim, put. him on the phone and um but Rock Kim, see you telling me new stuff. I never he. never mentioned that line when we talked.

on the phone. He asked me about saying. when I said rap soloist, you don't want. none of this or set it off. >> And I was like, "No, no, no. I'm saying. that I'm a rap soloist. Competition. don't want none of this.". >> Right? >> Cuz he had a song where he said, "And. you know that I'm the soloist.". >> Right? >> So I was clearing it up like, "Nah, nah." I said, "I'm the rap soloist. competition. Don't want none of this. Anybody Ram alone is a rap soloist, >> right? >> And he was like, "Oh, okay." Okay. >> And I'm not talking about anybody in. particular. >> Yeah. I'm saying I'm rap to No. Well, when I'm saying competition, whoever can.

get it, right? You know, but I'm saying, but. >> that's what I'm saying. But you what you. were saying, I'm not specifically. talking about you, Rocky. >> No, I was talking about me, right? >> I was calling myself a rap soloist. Not. Not saying that you a rap soloist. You. don't want none of this. >> So he he said, "Oh, okay." And I'm like, "Well, what about this word? The daddy. indeed.". like that sound I mean I'm big daddy. Kane that sound like you coming from and. he was like nah you know other cats say. you know word to mommy in Long Island we. say word to daddy that's like you know. just that's that's just our slang I'm.

like oh okay my bad and that was that. was the end of it that was the end of it. ever since then we've been cool. why can't guys do that today um I don't. know I don't know you see how you just. got hey picking up the phone cuz. everybody know everybody if I don't know. you personally I know your manager I. know somebody close to you and then I. can pick up the phone and say, "Man, look here, man. This is foolish. This is. ridiculous, man. Let's let's let's talk. this thing up. Hey, bro, check this out, man.". >> Well, that was a fortunate situation cuz. like I said, you know, me and Eric was.

cool and his brother was my role. manager. So, his brother, you know, orchestrated it where like, you know, let me get him. >> That thing could have went a lot of. different ways had that not been the. case, though, Kane, >> cuz you probably would have responded. >> Well, yeah, I I I did. I mean, yeah, I. had the line, but you know, once we. talked, I took it out and he told me. that he had some stuff that, you know, he took out. So, you know, we was good, right? This is mix probably 50/50. >> Mhm. >> Beasts, this are they good or are they.

bad for for rap? Um, I think that. they're. bad. for um. careers. >> Mhm. >> I think they're good for MC's. I mean, I'm a battle rapper, so I love, you know, >> you love that one. You love the back and.

for because it keep you on your toes, >> right? >> Oh, he said what? Oh, >> you know, it keep as an MC, it keep you. on your toes. >> Career-wise, it can be career ending and. it and it can cause someone's death or, you know, someone seriously getting hurt. because. >> the fans can take it too far. >> It's not the individual, it's the people. around the individual. >> You're right. >> And now, if I if we just going to keep. this thing on wax, I'm cool with it. >> Yeah. Long as it don't bleed into.

reality. >> Yeah, that's the problem that you have. because we saw Jay-Z and Nas battle it. and now they cool. >> Yeah. >> I don't know if Biggie and Pac would. have been cool. >> I doubt that. >> I don't I doubt that. >> Cuz sometimes you can have a line, you. go too far. You talking about. >> You talking about that man. >> I'm not going to get into that. But. yeah, I doubt I doubt they can resolve. that. >> Let me ask you this. Can Can uh Drake. and Kendrick come back? >> I think so. I think so. I think so. I.

mean, I know I know some some crazy. things was Well, there were some crazy. allegations, but you know, on both sides. >> Yeah. But I mean, if if if if none were. proven, then you can get I think you can. get past move past it. >> Yeah. How'd you meet Hoveve? Uh. there were these guys in Queens called. the shirt kings and one of them they.

made spray paint. >> shirts and one of them asked me about. doing a mixtape with Jazz O. And I was like all right yeah we do it. So we went to Brooklyn to my man Fresh. Gordon crib. we supposed to be doing. this mixtape and then Jazz O was like, "Yo, can my man rhyme on the tape, too?". And that was Jay-Z. So, we did. >> How old was he at this time? >> I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. how old he was. I mean, cuz I think Jay.

is like a year and a half younger than. me. >> Mhm. >> So, I mean, I don't know. Could have. been 20, 19, I don't know. >> Um, but um he asked, "Could this man. rhyme on the tape?" And I was like, "Yeah." So, we did the tape and then. when we riding back to my crib, my man. from the Shirt Kings, he's like, "Yo, we. really wanted you to do this because we. want you to help um you know, to get. Jazz another deal." And you know, I was. like,

"Honestly, I I kind of like the. light-skinned dude better. Is that okay? I'm going to work with him, you know." And that's how, you know, we. connected, >> right? you know, and we we uh we. started, you know, working on stuff. We. was we was working on music and, you. know, I was shopping his music, you. know, the different labels and things of. that nature. >> And then I ended up doing the feels like. another one with Patty Leel, >> right? >> And while we were on tour, you know, I'm. noticing that. Patty is doing outfit changes. So, I'm.

like I'm fascinated and I'm like, "Oh, nobody in hip-hop doing this. Oh, I. can't wait to get back out on the road.". So when I finished the tour with Patty. and went back out on my tour, I grabbed. Jay-Z and another rapper by the name of. Positive K. You know, he had a big song. called Pause. >> Yeah. I got a man. Yeah. So I grabbed. both of them and brought them on. >> What your man got to do with me? >> So you right. Yeah. >> I brought them both on the road with me. and like I would let them come out and. perform in the middle of my show while I. do outfit changes.

>> Okay. >> So him and Jay-Z would be on stage. rapping. >> Yeah. Did you know when you heard this 19, 20, 21 year old hoes rapping, did you ever. think he'd become this? No. No. I mean, it's it's it's crazy because see, there's one thing about Jay that I. didn't really understand until much. later. cuz. P. would be in the room or in the studio. and very much involved. Sauce money.

would be in the room or in the studio. very much involved. Jay would always be. quiet. >> Yes. >> That's the story everybody tells. >> So it was the type of thing where I'm. like, you know, you got to, >> you know, make your presence felt. You. got to So I I didn't see it. But what I. didn't understand was that Jay was being. quiet for a reason. >> Jay studies everything. >> Like years later, I started thinking. about all types of stuff. numerous. nights when he would point out something.

I did on stage, mention it. Oh yeah, you. real funny dude the way you did such and. such. He noticed everything. So he was. sitting there studying, you know, and I. think that that attribute, you know, to. his greatness. writing. Um, it's funny that, you know, you said that real MC's write their own. verse, but some of the some of the great. songs that's been recorded by MC or I. guess they can't call them an MC if you. don't write has been written for written.

by someone else. >> Yeah. There's a lot of, you know, great. songs that were written by other people. But I mean, that's normal in the music. industry. You know what I'm saying? >> Now, not when you not when you were. coming up. Um, >> did you guys did. >> Well, I mean, I I wrote most of Biz Bis. Marquee first album. >> Okay. >> You know, I mean, I've written for other. people. Um, you know, there were artists. Yeah. There were artists, you know, that that. that that wrote big songs for other. people, >> right? >> Um,

but it was, you know, really ghost. writing. Real real ghostriting, >> right? >> You know what I'm saying? Like, you're. not really a ghost writer. If you wrote. a song for somebody and tell you, >> you tell them about it. >> that I wrote that, bro. That's not a. ghost. The ghost is supposed to be. something that you can't see. >> You telling me? >> Yeah. So, it it is it it happened back. then, but I mean now it's standard. practice. Why do you think Jay got turned down by. so many labels?

You know what? If I sat and told you some of the stuff. that people said to me when I played. they demo, you know. what it say? I mean, I'm not I I'm I'm. not going to go into cuz I I don't want. nobody running with it. You know what. I'm saying? Turn it into nothing. negative, man. But I mean, the stuff. that people said, but I I'm going say. this, Shannon. I'm going to say this. I'm glad I'm glad they turned him down.

for the simple fact that at that point. in time that's when Jay-Z was doing that. that real fast rapping. >> Yeah. >> That was a a fad in hip-hop and it. didn't last long. You know what I'm. saying? So, had he came out doing that, he may have been successful for a year. or two, >> right? >> And then he would have faded out with. that style. He came out the right time. talking about the right stuff, doing the.

right thing, and he ended up having. amazing stay power. Yeah. So, I'm glad I. couldn't get him a deal. I think that. what he did years later with Dame Dash. and uh Irv Gotti and whoever else, >> that's what was supposed to happen. And. I'm so happy for him to see him be. successful. Nas, you have a lot of. respect for Nas and he's another uh a. great lyricist that explains things and. can talk. What's your favorite Nas. story? >> My favorite Nas story.

um. would be probably when we first met, we was at Unique Studio and I told him. how much I love Ilmatic and he asked me, "Well, what do you think is wrong with. it?" I'm like, "Nothing." I'm like, "You. know how people be saying this a five. mic album? this a lot of times. Nah, it. might be a four mic, might be a four and. a half mic, but you got a five mic.

album. The album is amazing. I don't. think anything is wrong with it. >> But he wouldn't let it go. He would not. let it go. He just kept But but I'm. saying like, what do you think I should. have did, you know, different? I'm like, I don't think you should have did. anything different. I think it's. >> But but what would you have done. different? I'm like, I mean, me, I would. have probably had one song on there for. the ladies at least, >> right? >> But you, not me. You did what you. supposed to do and it's amazing, >> you know? But I mean, it was just it was.

like, yo, won't just let it go and be. great, man. Leave it alone, man. This. album is amazing. You don't you nothing. you should have did different. I think. the fact that he has so much respect for. you and to hear you say that and it's. like let me just make sure he ain't just. saying that cuz I'm standing here in. front of him. Let me let me let me let. me try a different way. Okay. The album. was good. You say it's five mics. No, I didn't say it was good. I said it. was great. >> Yeah. Five mics. Uh-huh. But if you.

would have done it. Okay. You would have. did Oh, so you said my next album I. should have one for one song for the. ladies. He had Eric B call me. Um I. think maybe a year or two later he had. Eric B call me. I'm I was at a car. dealership and he had Eric B call me and. he's like, "Yo, Nars want to holl at. you." He puts him on. He's like, "Yo, I. did one for the you you heard the ow me. back. I did one for the. excited about it." But I mean it was. like, you know, yo, Elmatic is a. masterpiece. >> Yes. You know, that's like one of my.

favorite hip-hop albums of all time. This is just not in the rap industry. This is in almost every industry. Do you feel this younger generation. gives the older generation the respect. like Nas and Jay-Z like they respect you. and you respect the others? Do you feel. this younger draft generation gives the. adequate adequate respect to the older. generation? >> N. um but I mean you know I don't I don't I. don't blame them. You know it's it's.

it's it's what they're taught. >> Mhm. you know, like um the the the word. irrelevant carries a lot of weight in. the music industry today. >> It's a word that's thrown around on. social media a whole lot. So, it's it's. been, you know, instilled in the younger. generation head. So, I don't blame the. young kids. I just think that we have to. figure out a way to bridge the gap. because I I would love to see, you know, even if it's not my generation, even if.

it's the Eminem Kanye generation, artists from that era talking with these. young cats, giving them game, don't do. this, don't do that, watch out for that. Don't sign something that says, you. know, I I would love to see that, you. know, to try to help them, you know. Um. but no the respect is not there because. it's like you know uh it's it's things. that's instilled in the younger. generation mind. >> What's Kane's responsibility to this. younger generation?

>> My responsibility is to try to educate. them. I have a documentary or excuse me. docu series. >> called paragraphs I manifest. It's. talking about the importance of lyricism. in hip-hop. Mhm. >> And the reason why I really wanted to do. this is so the younger generation can. see how important lyrics are. To see how. when you focus on the lyrics, your song. can have stay power and such touch. someone's heart. Your song can last for. years upon years because of the way um.

this person felt about what you said. And it's called Paragraphs I manifest. It features um JCole, um Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, MC Light, Lady London, um Eminem, um Common, several, you know. Yeah. >> Travis Scott recently went viral. He. said, "I swear the O ends kill me. Know. my Y ends feel me talking about push a. T." What are your thoughts on that line? Because it's and and I hate it. I don't.

I've never had a I've never had a. problem. came cuz I understand where I. am today. There had to be people before. me that stand in these very shoes that. weren't as prosperous, that didn't get. the attention, that didn't get the. notoriety, that didn't make the money. that I make. >> And so, it's my job to pay homage for. those. >> that happen to be born at a time in. which the money wasn't what it is. So, I. never had problem giving people credit. Never. Never. I think these young guys, I mean, for whatever reasons Yeah. and. you you you you got irrelevant.

But the question is. 40 years from now, will you still be. relevant? Because at one point in time, I stood in. your shoes. And I don't think people. realize that. I'm I got a t-shirt that. says I'm the age that I used to think. was old. Can I re can I can I remix your. statement? >> Go ahead. >> 10 years from now, will you still be. relevant? >> 10. Wow. We don't need 40. We need a.

decade. >> Yeah. Yeah. Cuz the lifespan today of an. artist is usually about 8 months. >> Wow. So. >> So I guess you better get everything you. can in those eight months. >> Cuz you don't you're not promised. another eight months. >> Exactly. >> Wow. >> Another young rapper that's always. giving you respect is Eminem. Um he is an anomaly. He's to rap what Tiger Woods was to.

golf. He came in. and. his word play, his cadence, all that. But he's one he's one of these guys. that's never have had a problem showing. the older generation respect. >> Eminem. is a student of the game. He is an. amazing student of the game. in without trying to tell too much in in.

my documentary, he pointed out something. that I did that I never paid attention. to. Wow. Like after the interview, I. went back and started listening to. artists, you know, before me to see if. someone else did this because he was. pointing out that I'm the first person. he ever heard do this. And I'm like, it. had been someone before me. Like he's. the a student of the game that way. >> He that got deep in it. Yeah. But you. know, I'mma tell you, man. Um, M is an.

amazing artist. Um, super talented, super lyrical. But I think the thing I I I I think is. so dope about Eminem is like, you know, when hip-hop began, you know, this was we talking about a New York. thing, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. All of a sudden you got NWA talking. about straight out of Compton. >> Yeah. Now it's on the West Coast. >> You hearing about a West Coast hood.

>> You know what I'm saying? >> That ain't our hood. We know we don't do. that in New York. But you hearing about, you know, the low riders and all this, but you're learning about the hood in. the West Coast. >> Correct. got the ghetto boys, you know, talking about, you know, the wards what, you know, and like now you hear about, you know, the Texas, the hood in Texas, >> you know, >> y. >> ATL, they talking about, you know, you. know, I mean, Lil Wayne, Master P. talking about New Orleans, you know,

it's like you hearing about these hoods. in all these different regions, right? Eminem. talked about his hood, talked about 8. Mile, but he not talking about, you. know, the projects in Detroit. He. talking about trailer park stuff. >> He talking about white hood [ __ ]. >> Yep. >> You know what I'm saying? >> Yep. >> I thought that that was just so dope. >> You know what I'm saying? Because. >> this is this is white ghetto stuff.

>> You know what I'm saying? That we're. learning about now. I'm I'm like, "Yo, this is this is so this is so dope." And. and and I respect him for that because. he wasn't trying to pretend to be. something he wasn't. He talked about his. hood. >> hood. >> You know what I'm saying? >> Where he grew up at, his life. experiences. >> Yeah. So, I mean, I have a lot of. respect for him. Now, >> what what did M get right that Vanilla. Ice got wrong? >> I think that last part I said, >> but. but I mean, hey, man, you know, Vanilla. Ice, you know, he. >> But that song, baby, hey. Yeah, he.

became very successful. He had a, you. know, a mega hit. I mean, this dude had. a movie, you know, you know, you know, he had, you know, one hit and they they. they they dude had a movie. I mean, so. he did his thing, man. So, salute to. Vanilla Ice, man. Hip-hop. Is hip-hop. dying? Is hip-hop dying? Uh. um I don't think the hip-hop is dying.

Um because what you got to understand. is that. when hip-hop first started, it was nothing but block parties. Wasn't. on wax. Yes. It was just block parties. So looking at what's going on right now. when they have those type of hip-hop. festivals or intimate hip-hop events,

you know, you're hearing that that. classic material, you know, that that that you know that. defines what hip-hop is really about, >> right? So I don't know. Maybe I don't. think it's dying. Maybe it's going back. to where it's supposed to be, right? You. know. >> what is the substance? Because you. talked about like how M spoke about. things that he experienced. He wasn't. trying to be somebody else. >> Yeah. >> He talked about the trailer parks. That's where he grew up. That's what he. knew. That's what he experienced. He. talked about his mother's situation. He.

talked about things that were It seems. like now the substance is is that the. hot thing is let's talk about this. Even. though I haven't experienced it. >> Oh, you say even though I haven't. experienced. >> No, I'm saying that's what the rap is. now that Yeah. A lot of rappers are. rapping about you not no gangster. >> Yeah. >> In the studio yo is but you are but not. in reality. >> Yeah. But I mean you know we we live in. you know a a social media world so it's. like whatever is trending whatever topic.

you know what I'm saying. Whatever's. trending. >> that's you know like I um I was leaving. um. I was at I can't remember where I was. I. was Vegas. I was I had my hat my my. fedora case with me. >> Yeah. >> I'm checking it at the airport. and the lady at the airport talking. Oh, okay. You got your cowboy hat? You. you got your your your boots in your. luggage? I'm like, "No, sweetheart. My. boots ain't on the ground. I I'm just.

That's just a regular fedora. It's not a. cowboy hat." Right. >> But, you know, that's what's trending. >> You know what I'm saying? Right now, that's what's trending. So everybody and. their mama are coming out to the concert. with cowboy cowboy boots and the hat and. the hat. You know what I'm saying? It's. whatever is trending. Yeah. >> Drake calls the stir. He said UK rappers. are better than USA rappers lyrically. I said K. See you looking at me man. I.

ain't got no. >> Oh, you wanted me to respond? >> Yeah. Yeah. I ain't got but one head. man. I ain't got one head. You looking. at me like I had three heads. He said. that. I. I feel that. um with the amount of. success that Drake has had in this game, he's entitled to his opinion. You know, in fact, let me I'm sorry. I think that. everything everybody is entitled to. their opinion. You know, that's the.

beautiful thing about an opinion. Everyone can have one. Whether I dis. whether I agree or disagree, you agree. or disagree, everybody's entitled to. have an opinion. Correct. You know, but. I mean, if that's what Drake feel, hey. man, go ahead, homie. >> You were a trends setter because you had. the high top fade, you dressed, you had. had the rags on. How did you determine. what was your persona going to be on the. stage?

Um, well, like as I was as I was saying. earlier, you know, like you you see like. the pimps and the hustlers pull up and. the deuces. I saw how all the other kids. in the neighborhood gravitated to that. >> That was a look, >> you know what I'm saying? And then my. pops was a fancy dresser. My pops wore. three, four piece suits, >> you know, Persian lamb coats, you know. Um, the duster. That's the four piece. >> Yeah. Okay. >> I saw you. Yeah. I was like, "Yeah." No, this the pants, the vest, blazer, and. the duster.

>> Okay, >> that's the four piece. But um you know, I I I I saw um you know, this is this is. what I saw like um for example, uh I did our senior hall and they had. built the whole set with garbage cans. and graffiti and all this stuff and I. had them tear it down and I told them to. put me some of that sexy [ __ ] back up. like how you had it when I was here with. Quincy, >> right? you know, it wasn't um because I. was against graffiti or or the street. It was because it's like me as a kid,

I'm used to seeing, you know, the pimp. and hustlers pull up with fur coats on, that type of stuff. And when we went to. block parties, we put on the alpaca. sweaters, the mock necks, the British. walker shoes, you know, we wanted to. look fly. You know what I'm saying? Like. um I I mean I I didn't I didn't I didn't. actually see break dancing until um the. movie Wild Style came out. >> Wow. >> I mean like I mean actually on the. street, >> right? >> You know what I'm saying? I didn't. actually, you know, see it, you know? So. it was like I'm like that's not the.

background and I'm affiliate. It's it's. it's hip-hop, >> right? >> It's hip-hop. It's, you know, one of the. graffiti is one of the elements of. hip-hop, >> but I mean it's like that's not what we. did on Lewis Avenue. >> where I came from. So, I wanted to. represent my hood. You understand? Yep. >> Fashion today. What do you like or. dislike about what you see today? >> Cuz you know, LL was in a sweatuit, had. a shirt off, he had, you know, had a. tracksuit on. Take his shirt off, big. gold chain. Uh, Run DMC had the Adidas.

outfit, uh, the shell toes, fat shoe. strings. It all It all depends. Are you. I mean, are you still you still Well, yeah, I'm sure. I mean, look how you. come today. come with the white pants, red sweater, you know, LV kicks. So, you. still a fashion icon. You still into. fashion like that, right? >> Do you do you like the way fashion is. headed? You You see kind of where it's. going now? You I'm going to say this. Um. I feel that we as the black youth.

were trendsetters. We were trends setters, >> you know, and not just the artists. Shout out to Dappa Dan. >> Yeah. >> April Walker, >> Carl Cany, >> you know, um we were um um the Shabbaz. brothers, >> you know, we were all trends setters. And I think that now I see uh um a lot.

of younger cats catering to um you know. um what's popular or fashion week as. opposed to. your own creativity. >> Correct. >> You know what I'm saying? Taking those. those hood elements and mixing them. together making them look fly. >> Especially if you a rich artist, right? because you can take it to the whole. next a whole another level because you. got the money to do so to become that.

>> trends setter. >> You know, when Dappa Dan um took the job. at um Gucci, >> you know, all he had to do was just. remake the stuff he was making in the. 80s, >> right? >> You know what I'm saying? That Gucci. never made, >> right? >> You see what I'm saying? So, I mean, it's like, you know, I feel. like you have that power to just grab. those street elements, that stuff that, you know, look look hood sexy and, you. know, bring it together and and create a. a look. How did you become a ladies man?

The hell have I know, Shiny? I just rode. with it, man. >> Yeah, I know you rode with it cuz you. had two shows at the Apollo that sold. out for women only. >> Yes, sir. >> I only know two other artist, only one. other artist that I know of, Teddy. Pendergrass, used to have women only. show. That's where we got the idea from. >> Um it was an idea from um lady that. worked at Warner Brothers uh EA Kiara. Um and we uh yeah, we decided to do two.

shows at the Apollo for ladies only cuz. she she broke it down cuz she went to. the Teddy show. >> Mhm. >> So she was like u so um she was like, "Well, you know, he had um teddy bears. in every seat.". >> Mhm. >> That said, you know, hug on Teddy. So I. was like, "Okay, we got to flip that. Put um candy canes in every seat and let. it say suck on cane, >> you know." So that's, you know, that's. that's what we did, you know. Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. I I I remember uh his documentary.

where he was he they were telling the. story. He was telling that story, part. of it, and then uh man, do you think I. mean, think about it, Kane. A rapper. sold out shows women only. A rapper two sold out shows women only. Is that possible today? >> Drake. You think Drake could do it? >> Hell yeah. Hell yeah. And. >> you the first? >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Rap rapw wise. Yeah, I.

was the first. But I mean Drake. Yeah. Absolutely. I mean you know you know. dude has a massive crowd. He has so many. hits for the ladies. >> Yes. >> You know. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Drake could. do it. >> How do you even get into modeling? >> Um. I can't remember whether it was April. Walker or. Oh man, I can't remember who it was who. asked me to wear this stuff on the. runway. And like I was in my zone. I was.

in my And honestly, I was nervous. because I know how my bop walk is. >> Yeah. I know. And I didn't want to do. that on the runway. And what I did cuz I. remember when I when I told them. afterwards they was cracking up. laughing. I was like the whole time even. though that the house music stuff was. playing or whatever was playing the. whole time I was humming the baseline to. Richard Prior which way is up while I. was walking.

That's what I was humming in my head so. that I'd walk straight you know. Yeah. >> And that Wow. Yeah. I I anytime anytime. I was on the runway, that's what I would. do. >> But you was also offered an opportunity. for to be in Play Girl. >> Um No, no, no. You took it. >> Yeah, we we went for it. Um. we went for it. >> It started as a joke, >> right? >> Um. uh. um the publicist from Warner Brothers, Jean Shelton.

>> Okay. >> He had just got me an Essence magazine. >> Mhm. And he was like, "Man, Young. Bloodood, I've done so many things for. you in your rap career that I never. thought I could do for no rap artist, man. You know, like I'm having so much. fun working with you. Like we done and. we done been in Jet Magazine. We done. been, you know, like we done did. everything.". >> Yeah. >> Um, >> you know, I was He's like, "Ain't. nothing left." You know, um, I was like, and I'm just I just made a joke. I was. like, "Uless is like like Playboy.

magazine." He was like, "You mean play. girl?" I'm like, "Yeah, yeah, play. girl." I was like, "Uless we going to do. something like that." And we laughed and. then we we looked at each other. You weren't laughing no more. You was. dead. You were dead ass. [ __ ] Let's do. it. You know. Yeah. >> Madonna asked you to uh uh to pose for a. sex book. >> Yeah. Um. Warner Brothers sent us on a promotional. tour. >> Okay. >> Myself, Madonna, Color Me Bad. And um we.

were like going to like you know upscale. hospitals you know you like um like the. patients in there were like you know. young white kids. They didn't really. know who I was right. >> and you know uh Madonna sitting there. talking. Do you know who that is? >> That's Big Daddy Kane. He's a famous. rapper. >> here. Let me hear you say ain't no half. stop. And I'm like Madonna know my [ __ ]. Oh. >> yeah. >> Wow. I'm bugging, man.

So, um, afterwards we outside and I'm. like, "Hey, thank you so much, you know, for acknowledging me. I appreciate. that." And then she was like, "No, my. pleasure." She was like, "Um, listen, I'm doing a book. Um, it's just. photographs, not, you know, talking, just photographs. I would love to have. you involved. I would like I would be. honored." And she was like, "But it's, you know, probably going to be real. racy, like nude photos." I like, "Shit, even better. Let's do it. Even better.

>> Yeah. >> But let me tell you how real Madonna. was, man. I mean, it was the like the. day started off so much fun where I'm. like, "Okay, yeah, this the place to be. This is cool.". >> Okay. >> When I got to the set, Madonna comes. running across the room, but ass naked. Kane, so glad you made it. Let me tell. you, I was just standing outside in the. middle of the street in in between the.

divider just like this, no clothes on, with my thumb out taking photos, but not. one single car stopped. Can you believe. that? [ __ ] a Madonna. Nobody stopped for. me. I'm like, "Oh yeah, this going to be. one an amazing day, right?" I'm like, "This day going to be amazing, right?". Cuz she on 10 already. I'm like, "Yo, yeah, she wal already." I'm like, "Yeah, this going to be fun.". Do you believe there's a rapper today. that could do Playgirl or do a sex book. photos like what Madonna did? I think.

that there's rappers today that's coming. from doing that to become a rapper. movies. uh Brown Sugar. Uh you also an equalizer. with Queen Latifah. Is that something you wish you had a. partaken in more? >> Yeah. Yeah. I I wish I would have uh.

stayed uh. you know focused on that and you know um. you know continued pursuing you know my. film career. Um, I think that could have. I could have done a whole lot more, had. a much bigger impact. Um, but I mean, you know, hey man, you know, it ain't too late, you know. I mean, you. know, look how, you know, what age. Morgan Freeman was when he made his. Bones. >> So, you know, it ain't too late. >> It's not cuz I remember uh he was Easy.

Reader in Electric Company. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. That's right. Yeah. >> That's what That's what I do. And then. next thing you know, I get older, he in. movie. I was like, "Hold on, that's Easy. Reader." Yeah, but I mean right now with. this here point, um I I probably would. more focus on, you know, my son, you. know, his his film career because I I. truly believe that he's more of a. natural than I am, right? >> He just got it. >> Have it. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> That you and Dave Chappelle's block. party. >> What was that experience like?

>> I mean, to actually see Dave Chappelle. in his element. >> Yeah. I mean, when I saw the movie, I. was upset about so much funny stuff that. didn't make the movie. >> Crazy stuff I heard him say, >> you know, while we were there, you know, um, filming, >> but um, it was great to be a part of it. because, um, >> Dave Chappelle is that dude right now. Yes. I think he is, you know, the best. comedian of today.

and um he's such a hip-hop fan. >> and knowledgeable. >> Yes. >> You know what I'm saying? >> Yes. >> Knowledgeable. He he knows he know the. history. So um you know I have nothing. but the utmost respect for him and I I. thank him so much for you know including. me in that. >> Your song was featured in Grand Theft. Auto San Andreas. I mean does when you. when you hear your music and things like. that how does that make you feel? I mean it it's it's amazing because you. got to understand these are kids.

>> Yes. >> And it's like you're saying this is Big. Daddy Kane and it's like who? And then they find they hear warm it up. Kane and then that that's you. Oh, I. know that from Grand Theft, you know? So, you know what I'm saying? It it it. it gives me that feeling of um uh of my. girl. >> Yeah. There's children today that know. my girl from top to bottom but don't. know the temptations. >> Correct. You know what I mean?

>> Yeah. Women rappers. I mean, you you the. exception. Uh you mentioned uh Roxan. Shante. Um. give me give me your give me your five. I mean there's some great ones and not. and you know you probably going to tick. some people off because you have when. you say five of anything that means you. leave something off. >> Mhm. >> Give me your five women's rappers. That's right. That's why I'm not going. to give you my five. But um I will say that um.

some of my favorites. I'm going to try to go from. then to now would be um. uh. Shock WD Roxan Shante. um Salt and Pepper Queen Latifah. MC Light. Um, Eve.

Um, Foxy Kim. Uh, Lady of Rage. Lady of Rage. >> If we got. >> Um, if if you call Lauren Hill a rapper, I like to because she's a monster with. the bars. >> Yes. Yes. >> I'd say Lauren Hill. Um, Lady London, Lola Brookke.

Um, I'm probably forgetting a few, but. yeah. Who that said I I forget who said. it that he believes female rappers are. becoming over sexualized. Well, I mean, it it's like, you know, that's what they they they they did to. them back in the days. You know what I'm. saying? Trying to force them, you know, to to to be sexy. That's that's one of. the main things that, you know, um. I've always respected about Queen.

Latifah, >> right? >> You know, she was like, I'mma keep it. afroentric and I'm going to be the. queen. >> I'm not putting that tight [ __ ] on, you. know. I'm I'm you know, that's that's. that's something about Queen Latifah. I've always respected. >> Yes. She's she did it her way. Queen has. always been the queen. I mean, you meet. I mean, you meet her behind the scenes. in front, she the queen. >> Yeah. Bro, I need to know. We. You got me in North Carolina. You from.

You from You from Brooklyn, New York. There could not be anything more. different. than Brooklyn, New York than North. Carolina. How? Why? Um. well, you know, uh yeah, I'm from Brooklyn. Best Star Brooklyn, but uh I hadn't. lived there since 1987.

Really? Yeah. I mean, I I I I said the. same thing that Biggie said when I first. made a record. I ain't never leaving the. hood, but then I realized that I had to. >> You had to. You know what I'm saying? I. felt like I wanted to be here with my. people. You know what I'm saying? We. going to walk this walk together. But. then I realized that, you know, your. people start looking at you different. >> differently. >> So, you know, um I hadn't lived in in in. in the hood since ' 87.

I moved to um Jamaica Estates in Queens. >> Okay. So, I was, you know, in like kind. of like a suburban area almost, you. know, and I had a lot of friends in Long. Island that lived in the real real. suburbs. You know what I'm saying? So when I came down here in the 90s and. did a show cuz like my family is from. South Carolina. >> Okay. >> You know what I'm saying? We you know um. dirt roads and stuff like that. You know.

>> people don't know you and walk up and be. where your name is. >> You know what I'm saying? >> That's where you know where I spent my. summers. >> right. >> in South Carolina. So when I came to. North Carolina and sorted nah this ain't. country you know this long hours. It. looked just like Long Island. >> Raise a family. >> I was like, I could actually live here, >> right? >> And I did it. >> Wow. >> When you were growing up, did you want. to do anything else other than music? Did you want to play sports? Did you.

think that basketball or any like a. sport was going to be your avenue out of. the hood? Um, I played um basketball in the seventh. grade. Um, but you know, I I I got um. I got, you know, kicked off the team and. out the school. So, what the hell you. do, Kane? >> Uh, I did something bad.

>> How you tell your mom? How you tell your. mom you got kicked out of school? You go. home and tell your mom or your grandma, your parents, how you tell them, "I. ain't going to be able to go to school. tomorrow. I don't know when I'm going be. able to go to school again.". Yeah. Um, nah, I um, you know, um, I I I. explained, you know, what I was upset. about and, um, you know, she understood. where I was coming from, but it was. like, you know, like, you still. shouldn't have did that. You should. still shouldn't have handled it that. way, right? You should have just, you. know,

>> so, you know, it was what it was. And we. ended up going to a different school. And um by the time, you know, um I got. to like um like finish eighth grade, I. wanted to be an MC. >> So sports didn't matter anymore. >> Yeah. Cuz see, like I said, when I said. like in the 70s when I saw Master D, I. wanted to be a DJ, >> right? >> So that's how I started. I was like DJ. Sir Romeo. >> and someone broke in my grandmother. crib, stole my turntables. >> Well, you're not a DJ anymore.

>> Yeah. You know what I'm saying? So, I. became, you know, um um Tony T. Okay. Yeah. Glad I left that name alone, right? I became I became Tony T. And, you know, um and when I became MC Kane, you know, that's when I started, you know, really. like like focusing, you know, honing on. the craft of that, you know, but I mean, so I I wasn't really thinking about. basketball anymore. >> So, are you a Knicks or a Hornets fan. now? >> Knicks. Come on, man. I mean, you you I.

come from where. Michael Jordan come and drop 55 on the. Knicks, he got to leave with a 34D on. his eye. >> That's where I come from. You know, I come from from Oakley, Anthony Mason, Patrick Euan. >> Yeah. >> Come on, man. Charles, >> that legacy alone. Yeah, that legacy. alone. Got to love the Knicks, man. regardless to who come after us just for. what they like. They they was gangsters.

>> So you're a Giants or a Jets fan? >> I don't watch football. >> You don't watch You don't watch. football, Kane? >> Nah, man. No disrespect by. >> N. Can I can I just explain? >> Yeah. >> All right. And again, no disrespect, but. it was like I couldn't wait to go to a. Super Bowl party cuz I'm always hearing. about them, >> right? >> So finally I go and we sitting there. finally going to watch a football game. We watching and the cameras zoomed in on. a dude ass in spandex.

and all a sudden a play happens and. everything happened in like 5 seconds. It's over back to the dude ass in. spandex. I'm like and this is what y'all. watch all day? I'm like I can't do it. I'm I'm good. I. >> Yeah. I I just couldn't do it. I just. couldn't do it. >> Yeah. I just couldn't do it. I I didn't. cuz you like with basketball you see. them running up and down. Yeah. you. know, the court, you know, um, you know, even like hockey, you know, >> it was like.

>> I just felt like, nah, I I can't watch. this. >> Yeah. You use a a lot of boxing. references in your in your songs. >> Your boxing clearly, you got to be a. boxing fan. I guess it's that. >> Okay, that's my favorite sport. >> That's your favorite sport? >> Yeah. >> Who's your favorite boxer? >> Ali. >> Like that's how I use a lot of Ali stuff. to win battles. because you know, you go on somebody. else's turf. Yes. >> So already like when I go there, I want. to make him uncomfortable on his own.

turf or I want to make his boys be into. me. >> You know what I'm saying? I want his. boys to like be like, you know, to to to. to to like what I'm saying, >> you know? Yeah. >> Cuz you know, they they they they did a. boo me anyway, right? cuz they with with. this guy, you know, you got Canelo or you got Bud?

Um, I want to say. I want to say, bud, I um. I I I can't really say until I until I. see the weight, >> right? >> I can't really say until I see the. weight, >> right? But I mean just off for like so. far what I've been putting together. right I would say bud. >> Wow that's. you were really close with Biz. Biz passed away with type two diabetes.

Um I think Iv Gotti um had diabetes and. you become very very health consscious. What when when did you start. prioritizing your health? Because I mean. obviously like I said you were very. close with big biz. I mean I I was you. know with that uh way way way. prior uh you know like when I started. like learning you know like what how.

long beef stays in your system. >> Mhm. >> You know like that was like 87 when I. stopped eating beef you know. >> Really? >> Yeah. >> So you chicken turkey fish? >> I stopped eating chicken I stopped. eating poultry period in '89. Just. pescatarian. >> So you pescatar. Okay. >> Yeah. >> So you pescatarian. You pescatarian. before it was even invogue. >> I mean now you know you pescatarian, you. vegan or you know whatever the case may. be. >> But yeah. Yeah. Since ' 89. Yeah. >> Wow. >> You were a a a member or you were in the.

the 5enter. What did you learn from your. time in that? >> I mean, you know, I I still I I still. frame 5%. You know what I mean? It's. it's like um. >> I mean well first of all acknowledge. yourself. >> Yes. >> You know what I'm saying? Understanding. who you are as a black man and you know. and and your power, how much power you. have, you know, and um you know I mean. so so that that's one of the main. things. But then also, you know, um how. to, you know, try to deal in equality.

with others. You know what I'm saying? How to try to deal in equality and try. to bring others up and teach the youth. Huh? >> All that stuff you learn, you know, you. know, from Islam. >> Oh, okay. Thoughts on cancel culture that, you. know, you have a mistake, you have a. slip up, and then that's the end of it. >> I mean, I think that. anybody.

is entitled to make mistakes. >> You know, the name of the game is do. better. >> Yes. You know, don't make that same mistake. twice. >> Yeah. You know, anybody is entitled to. make mistake. You know, it's just do better. You made. this mistake. What did you learn from. it? You know what I'm saying? What did. you learn from it? Don't make this mistake again. You know. what I'm saying? How you going to do. better? How you going to improve on the.

relationship you destroyed or um what. you the black crowd cloud that you. created? How you going to what you going. to do to fix that? >> Right? >> You know what I'm saying? But anybody's. entitled to make a mistake? And I'm going say, let me add one more. thing to that. What's funny to me is. that with that whole cancel culture. thing, uh, they'll do that to someone over the. slightest little thing that they did. wrong and it be that one thing.

But I know of a guy that do wrong things. every day. that everybody just sweep under the rug. Mhm. >> So, I mean, you know, what the hell. really is cancel culture? >> True. Your What's your favorite era of music? My favorite era of music?

Oh, man. That one's hard, Shannon. That hard man. Um, it's like I like the music better in. the 70s, but. the 60s had some hellified stories, man. >> Like, um, oh man, Smoky Robinson. Um, >> well, 60s with Mottown. >> Yeah, Smoky Robinson. But I mean, like,

I'm just talking about the story like. Smokey Robinson. Uh. uh. Chris Kristofferson. there there was there was some writers. that where their pen was just. >> Mhm. >> Goodness. >> Yeah. >> Like what was you thinking man? >> 70s had some good music too though. >> No saying like music um and and even. like um in with the writing in the 70s. um you had some you know some amazing. people. Um Ashford and Simpson um uh. hell of a pen game.

>> See I like the big bands in the 70s. See, I like cooling the gang. Ohio. players, the stylistic, the Barcades, Lakeside. Okay. See, see, I'm just. talking about the writing side, not the. music side. N the music side. I mean, yeah. Eley Brothers. >> Heatwave. >> Yeah. Brothers, Heatwave. Um, yeah. Cameo. >> Yeah. Yeah. Cooling the Gang. >> Cooling. Cooling the Gang. Yeah. >> Uh-huh. >> Yeah. All that. >> Who that? Uh, >> Casey and the Sunshine band. >> Casey and the. >> I mean, everything was bands back then.

And they and they could do it. >> Yeah. >> I still, you know, I still like to go I. still, you know, occasionally if I can. catch them, you know, go see uh uh uh. Ohio players. I love I love band. I want. to catch, excuse me, cooling game. I. want to catch the Ohio players. >> Yeah. >> Because they was the first group. I. mean, all these songs, one word, roller. coaster, >> skin tight, fire, firecracker. You know. what I'm saying? They didn't have all. these all. >> But hey, like that slow song. They had. less. >> N less love. It chase L and the O. That.

Yeah, that was my joint. What are your. thoughts on um H New York losing the. crowd is best rap city? You know, we got. that ATL. I'm just saying we got it now. We got it now. >> Absolutely. No, absolutely. No, I mean, you know, I think that, you know, hip-hop is universal and, you know, everybody, you know, deserved their. shot, you know. I remember when the West. Coast had it, you know. Um Yeah. I mean, it's like it's here. If it's.

entertaining, I'm there for it. I'm I'm. here for it, >> right? >> You know, >> y. >> um like out of the south, >> I love listening to CEO. Um. >> I I I love listening to Outcast. >> Um TI, you know, I love TI, you know, just. >> Luda. >> Oh man, Luda. Forget about it. Love. Luda. >> Love Luda. You know, I mean, I've. always, you know, I I tell you a funny. story. I remember when Juvenile first came out.

with her. >> Yeah. >> And the video came on video Jukebox. >> Mhm. >> And I'm, you know, in New York with, you. know, a lot of my boys, you know, from. the hood. And it came on, they like, "Yo, this is what hip-hop is becoming. This [ __ ] here. This is what we got to. listen to now.". And I just turned my back. I turned my. back and started doing some other stuff. cuz. I like the record. You know what I'm. saying? I thought it was dope, right?

You know what I'm saying? And I was. like, I'm the only one that I'm like, am. I the only one that think this [ __ ] is. hot? You know, cuz I'm sitt Oh, you. about to treat your nose. You know what. I'm saying? I love that song, man. I. loved it. You know? Yeah. >> You mentioned you said you like like. because uh when I asked you about the. women, you like you named off about 10. or 12. You feel the same way about the. guys? um as like like five of your if if I. gave you if I gave you five guys I said. came for the next 10 years you can only.

listen to five. who you playing you only got five guys. you only got five rappers past or. present that you can listen to who you. rocking. first of all um. man you you you you you're getting real. great at this I love how you I love how. rewarded that. >> Yeah. >> Um. >> we going we going to get you down on. something. You you got five. You got. five. >> Um well, I mean, you know,

honestly, it may not be the five that I think are. the the greatest lyricist, right? It. might be the if I had to, it would. probably be the ones who I just like. >> you like listening to. Correct. >> You know what I'm saying? So, you know, we be talking about, you know, um Chuck. D, uh Slick Rick, >> um.

uh. uh. Jay-Z. Um. I don't know. Um Chuck D Slick Rick, Jay-Z. Um, I don't know. I don't know. Honestly, I. I don't know. Um, oh. Um, I would say CEO and Chub Rock. Okay. But. see, like I said, it may cuz it's like I.

love CEO voice, man. I love CEO voice. and I love Chub Rock voice. >> Mhm. >> You know. >> Yeah. >> Have you ever met Chub Rock? >> I have never met Chub Rock. >> Do you know he talks like that in real. life? >> Really? >> Yeah. He talks like that in real life. Like my. brother tripped out when he first time. he heard Chub cuz he's we was in the. studio and Chub just walked into the. studio. He's like, "Yo, yo Kane, that's. John Blaze, man. Who did that?" Mo like. he talks like that in real life. >> I tell people the same thing about E40.

>> Yeah. Yeah. E40 talks. >> exactly like you hear him. That's how. fault he talk. Like I we met. We're. doing a movie together and like I'm. sitting there just staring at him like, "Yo, is he messing with me or he really. talk like this, man?" Yeah. Yeah. You. talking. >> You once said Eminem is the Kobe of rap. Who's Mike? Who's LeBron? >> Um. I don't I don't I I don't honestly don't. know how to answer that, Shannon. I. don't know how to answer that cuz I.

don't I don't know what's the. qualifications of a Mike, what's the. qualifications of a LeBron? I don't know. what the qualifications are for Kovi. when you're making a reference to rap. So, I don't really know how to answer. that one. >> You're still performing. Yes, sir. >> And uh there was a situation where I. think it was Bow Wild. I think it was. Fat Joe. They had a cut at SeaWorld. Did you see that? >> No, I heard about it. You you you hop on the mic at SeaWorld? Not now.

>> Not now. Not now. I mean, they got a. little check. They got a little check. for you. Hey, you know, I mean, I don't know, man. I'm just going to say this, man. Fat Joe. is a hip-hop legend. Bow Wild is a young. hip-hop legend, man. That and both those. guys did a lot for the game. Whatever. decisions they make or decide to do, I. respect it. You know,

the next 50 years. I think rap just had. its anniversary. 50 year anniversary. The next 50 years. What would you like. to see for rap? Rap. I would like to see. young hip-hop artists. >> that um. focus on writing songs. that impact their fan base life and step.

on stage. and be great performers whether they got. production behind them or not. You know, even if you don't have no LED lights and. all that stuff, you still know how to. rip that stage apart, >> right? >> You know, we're going to wrap. Thank you. for coming on Club Shay. Anything. You. got a book just rhyming with Be a. documentary, Paragraphs, I Manifest, any. new music. Um, I heard you dropping your.

own wine and cooking show. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. On wine. Yeah. Um, a. Montterio, you know. Yeah. Um yeah that. you know the book just rhyming with Biz. talking about you know um Biz. discovering me and getting me a record. deal and all the madness we went through. trying to get on you know and I told you. about the documentary docu series rather. you know. >> right lyricist KRS1 N JZ Rockham Rizza.

method man ll JCole Kendrick Lamar Lil. Wayne big daddy Kane Slick Rick will we. ever cause KRS1. Rock him. Y'all were in the LL. Uh, a. lot of you guys were in the same era. >> Mhm. >> Same. It's kind of like if you'd had. LeBron, Kobe, uh, Jordan, Bird, Magic, Giannis, Joic, if you'd had the 10, you. know, 10 and all of them in the same. same era. Jay, I mean, just think you,

Jay-Z, all you got, JCole, Method, all. your guys in the same era. You ever thought about that? What it. would be like if like, man, if man, what. would it be like if I was in this era. with JCole and Kendrick Lamar and Lil. Wayne? What would it be like if they. were in my era with X, Y, and Z? Do you. have you ever thought of it like that? >> Yeah. I mean, I I could tell you what it. been like. You know, I would have been. on the sneaker tongue with my legs up. >> You just So, you the man.

>> Big daddy Kane. Thank you, man, for. joining the club. [ __ ] baby. Appreciate. it, bro. >> All my life been grinding all my life. Sacrifice, hustle, paid the price, want. a slice, got to roll a dice. That's why. All my life I've been grinding all my. life. All my life been grinding all my. life. Sacrifice, hustle, paid the price, want a slice, not rolling dice. That's. why all my life I've been grinding all.

my life. [Music].