Big Daddy Kane - Long Live The Kane

Released in 1988

Big Daddy Kane entered the rap scene with a bang in 1988 with his debut album Long Live the Kane, laying down a rap classic that hasn't lost an ounce of its strength and fury over time. In fact it would be fair to say that Kane in his prime would decimate most, if not all, would-be MCs of today.

The heavy majority of Long Live the Kane consists of battle rap, a style of macho posturing and sharp lyrical wordplay that has become a lost art since the 80's. Big Daddy Kane does take a whack at creating a crooner with The Day You're Mine (which was a precursor of what would be to come in later years), but it sounds completely out of place in the midst of this energetic and raw audio assault.

Long Live the Kane was produced by the renowned Marley Marl, who lent this album a sparse (by today's standards) yet powerful mix of banging beats and funk infusions. Fans of 80's rap will certainly have no problem diving into the music, but the feature attraction on this album is Kane's lyrical wizardry. Few 80's MCs (and arguably none of today's) possessed the ability to belt out edgy and creative rhymes with such sharp precision.

Some of the album's highlights are:

• Long Live The Kane – The album opener offers a perfect example of Big Daddy Kane's lyrical muscle. Pure battle rap like only the Kane can produce.
• Set It Off – Another furious bout of boasting and flexing from this raw battle rapper.
• Ain't No Half Steppin' – The tempo is turned down a notch on this anthem, but the intensity and quality remain. This is the song that achieved the greatest impact on this album.

If you're a fan of classic 80's rap then chances are you have already added Long Live the Kane to your collection, but if by chance the album somehow slipped under your radar I would advise locating a copy of this rap classic the next opportunity you get.

Rating: 8 stars

Track List Long Live the Kane Raw Set It Off The Day You're Mine On the Bugged Tip Ain't No Half Steppin' I'll Take You There Just Rhymin' With Biz Mister Cee's Master Plan Word to the Mother (Land)

Additional Resources

• It's a Big Daddy Thing Review

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