Big Daddy Kane Talks Prince & Rick James ‘80s Studio Stories, Answers Qs from Eminem, Nas, Pusha T

For more stories rooted in the spirit of perseverance, check out Tres Generaciones Tequila: www.tresgeneraciones.com/
On November 30, 2023, IDEA GENERATION and Tres Generaciones Tequila hosted an event with rapper Big Daddy Kane.
The legendary MC and IDEA GENERATION Founder Noah Callahan-Bever sat down together in Brooklyn, NY in celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip hop and Tres Generaciones Tequila. In front of a live audience, the Smooth Operator himself and NCB discussed Kane's iconic career, getting the only sample ever cleared by Prince, hitting the studio with Rick James in the '80s, being left of the Batman soundtrack, and the many challenges he's faced in his career and how he's continued to persevere. The room was packed with fans sipping on Tres Generaciones Tequila, and the after party was jumping thanks to DJ Perly and DJ Drewski.
Special thanks to our partners at Tres Generaciones for bringing this experience to life. More about Tres: www.tresgeneraciones.com/
0:00 Intro
2:00 Being a Hip Hop Heavyweight champion
2:50 Start as a DJ / getting into rap
4:30 Rap battle against Kool Moe Dee
6:00 Working with Biz Markie
12:20 Working with Marley Marl
14:00 Making of "Raw'
18:00 Musical background / having an ear for samples
20:00 "Ain't No Half Steppin'" / "Just a Friend"
23:30 Second album
25:30 Joining RUSH management / Lyor Cohen
30:00 Working with Teddy Riley / "Smooth Operator"
31:30 Being in the studio with Rick James
34:00 Working with Quincy Jones
37:30 Third album
43:00 Working with a young Jay-Z
46:00 Tupac and Nas
49:00 Fourth album and stepping away from music
52:30 Late '90s and early 2000s
54:40 Versuz with KRS One
56:00 Questions from Pusha T, Eminem, Nas

[@antoniogiardiello2663]

What a legend

[@perspicaciouscritic]

Legend: an overused word, but not the wrong one.

[@godscience7821]

Facts got to be top 10 greatest coming from Brooklyn I met him once in Al bee square mall downtown Brooklyn it use to be the hangout. He said what’s up Chief to me never will forget that. Cool brother salute 🫡

[@cld_crush_brthers_ultra_ma60]

Even has your first name⁉️⁉️⁉️

[@iceygivenz3117]

I cannot say it enough. There is nothing wrong being a well spoken hip hop artist. We owe it to the culture to emulate our forefathers. The music can evolve but we have to remain as educated as possible. Kane has always been a mentor. From fashion to rhyming to self confidence. To be a hip hop icon because of sales is one thing, but to be an icon with pride in what you accomplish as a humble person is priceless. Long Live the Kane. And I want that jacket.

[@SilvaBlakk]

You can have the jacket, I want the hat!! Lol...speaking well was seemingly frowned upon in Hip Hop because it meant you weren't "street" enough...salute to Kane and his well spoken peers for keeping it really real...Long Live the Kane!!

[@znuffstarrmusicheavenrecor9448]

Couldn't of said it better.

[@kenm6065]

​@@SilvaBlakkit is only recently frowned upon. Same with sports. Until this century, they were usually intelligent and well spoken.

[@isiahbraun8704]

I want em both

[@SilvaBlakk]

@@isiahbraun8704 looooool!! You can have one or the other, which one would you choose?

[@grownmantravels]

Kane sits on the throne with RAKIM as the greatest to ever grip the iron mic 🎤🎤🎤🎤🎤

[@i_am_non_a]

That offbeat snare on "Raw" single handedly carried jungle and drum n bass.

[@meatyyumsteve]

I thought Kane's Get Into It was incredible. That was the first song I heard from him. The A-Side to Something Funky & Rhymin' With Biz. His rap style on that song was ridiculous.

[@Thedrumsthebass]

All Massive

[@dolphthadon3023]

Man as a kid I thought I was BDK...He had it all...Perfect rapper💯💯💪🏾💪🏾👑

[@Skelly.B]

Amazing interview. Salute to Big Daddy Kane one of my all time favourite MC's 👑✊🏾

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

🫡

[@Killakane77]

I idolized this man as a teen.

[@rellyWrotethat]

this dude asks some really fucking great questions man

[@allviralaccessmedia3664]

Yo that Rick James Impression was on fucking point. Surprised tf outta me. Salute the one of the greatest of all time. BDK

[@Andrew-Antioch-Kim]

Happy 35th anniversary to Big Daddy Kane's debut album!

[@Rizzlyricist]

This interview was thorough

[@TheDoknoh]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed.

[@Rizzlyricist]

👍🏻@@TheDoknoh

[@Youknowmeozone]

The ip man of rap .. nobody’s equal ..👏

[@sunwalla77]

I swear I absolutely love hearing a rick james rip or prince rip stories man thoes guys were amazing 😂

[@LORD_HYBRID]

The rapper that was most influential on me. I wanted to be Kane. Coolest rapper ever!

[@KD_SWAGGER]

Big Daddy Kane is one of the greats. Hoping we get another album from him. I enjoyed this interview!

[@ReedMySole]

Kane stillrocks a crowd. Dope interview.

[@kendricjonrs8581]

'....88 time to set it straight, and ain't no half-steppin; WORD.... I'm ready! '

[@marlontherealemcee9733]

Despite what people may say, Taste Of Chocolate was amazing. Even lookin back on it, i think it was ahead of it's time.

[@MaggillaKutz71]

Ok, if you say so

[@pablodados]

"Do I want vanilla? Or do I want a taste of chocolate? Nah, I want something slamming."

[@mongoslade277]

If Taste of Chocolate was the debut album they'd be no issues but the change was night & day from the first 2 albums. Especially the 1st one. Love Mr Pitiful btw

[@meatyyumsteve]

Listening to it now, it's not bad BUT it doesn't hold up to LLTK or IABDT.

[@deepee9601]

​@@pablodadosKane would of body that dude

[@Goatchild90]

Old School Hip Hop stories are the best stories

[@mistakfresh3494]

1 hour of pure hip hop convo. I dig this 💯🔥🔥🔥

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

🙏🙏🙏

[@TheA6surdNerdz]

58:01 Leave it to Pusha T to ask a question involving Kane😭

[@punaforager]

This was amazing. His track ‘Young, Gifted and Black’ was so hard… as were many other tracks. ‘Another Victory’ was hard, too.

[@chimniebanks4787]

Kane you are loved brother. This interview is well structured.Its easy to ask general questions A true interviewer must ask the highly challenging questions and you have done an excellent job.

[@R0jira]

In my Top 5 GOATS DoA! Long Live The Kane!

[@lowbo47omsascotave]

*Eastside Low Bottoms sh*t !* _Tappin' in from South Central LA_ Salute to the Kane ✊🏾 I grew up around the time when Run DMC was beginning to blow up. Back in the early 80's ('83 on up) there were many count down music video shows. I'd sit thru all of the androgynous pop videos hoping a Hip Hop video would show. I was 10 or so when 1580 KDAY, the first all Hip Hop radio station was born here in LA so this music was a heavy influence on my generation. Big Daddy Kane was my first 'favorite artist'. Raw came out and was hard ! But what did it for me was Ain't No Half Steppin'. To this day is still one of my favorite songs. And back then, his "foe" in the video looked almost exactly like a friend of mine named Domino (RIP). We used to tease him about it all the time ! I remember the first time I heard Get Into It. I was at a salon getting a Jheri Curl 😂 They had a little juke box and it came on. I didn't know what it was and it had been yearrrrs since I'd heard it again. I remember walking to a local supermarket which contained a small record store to get Long Live The Kane on cassette tape. I wore that b*tch OUT ! 😂 That second album is still a banger as well ! One of my favorites I still listen to in my lowrider is Young, Gifted and Black. That horn !! My sh*t was also Wrath Of Kane ! One of my relatives who knew I was a heavy Kane fan thought I only liked it because it was by him, because he didn't really like it. That Prince Of Darkness album had some hard songs as well. I still listen to The Lover In You, Prince Of Darkness, but my favorite fromthe album is Groove With It. I can obviously go on forever about Kane but I'll land my plane with this: One of the coldest of his time. Much love, respect and reverence 🙏🏾

[@MichaelCobbs]

Great interview. I loved the KRS 1 vs Big Daddy Kane Verzuz. BX vs Brooklyn.

[@user-cq1pc5yw3k]

The interview guy is awesome, he does good research🔥 no one else asks questions like this.

[@meatyyumsteve]

He's been around for years. One of the few solid writers in Hip-Hop. #sohh

[@truthteller5521]

@@meatyyumsteveSohh forum member from 2001 to 2012 🙌🏽

[@meatyyumsteve]

@@truthteller5521 I own SOHH. Wow.

[@vanjones1749]

Kane from a generation that was street but knew how and when to turn the streets on and off when necessary

[@kel-melprevail8127]

It was..Rakim.. Slick .Kane..G Rap .

[@markieffmorris9263]

Big Daddy Kane the only man to go up against Dolemite and live to tell it✊🏿

[@hawkzulu5671]

Kane was like a SuperHero to us kids growning up. Aint a dam thing changed. I almost as much gray in my beard as big bro now.. but he's STILL a SuperHero.

[@49erNell]

Kane's a good dude. A legend & one of thé best to ever do it.

[@alfredmuveestarrmickens6841]

I agree 👍👍👍👍

[@KidAlmighty30]

awesome interview. Great questions.

[@moniquehamblin4381]

Glad To See Big Daddy Kane; A Legend, Yes

[@mikedeangelo286]

THE LIVIN LEGEND, GAVE UP PROPS TO PRINCE, ANOTHER GREAT LEGEND OF ALL TIMES (REST IN GLORY). ONE OF THE BEST INTERVIEWS IVE SEEN DONE RESPECTFULLY AND SHOWED THE WISDOM OF KANE!

[@alisoncopeland8890]

Shoutout to the interviewer he really gave him his flowers Big Daddy Kane is a Multi-talented MAN 💯

[@J.ELDRIDGEVISUALS]

LONG LIVE THE KANE !!! ONE OF THE GREATEST ❤️🎹🎙️

[@googleaccount1276]

I was at the versuz too , it was dope. This is great interview

[@brian_moseti]

The LV bucket hat and jacket are fire.... salute BDK

[@danielrobinson9270]

This man right here! Legend! Mr. BIG DADDY KANE! I look up to him, admired him. Wanted to be him. A true Hip Hop legend. The GOAT Great interview.

[@mrmiggedy123]

I love hearing about stories from the OGs. I really really love the love he showed to Rick James. He put a lot of Black artists on his tours and showed them BOTH sides of show bidness.

[@OgDj2024]

RESPECT! ✊🏾

[@challahsmith3257]

Ima finish watching the entire interview if it takes a week 🎉

[@colossus112785]

My top favorite rapper 🎤🎶

[@apex_prowler95]

'88 Nassau Coliseum... Biz leads off the set and Kane, Scoob and Scrap come out blazing minutes later.

[@startervisions]

Rakim is the James Brown of Rap, Big Daddy Kane is Sly Stone...Kool Keith is George...lol

[@cld_crush_brthers_ultra_ma60]

DAMN, KOOL KEITH STILL *”HOUSING THINGS‼️‼️‼️”*

[@startervisions]

@@cld_crush_brthers_ultra_ma60 what?

[@ambidextrous29]

I've been watching the "Big-Daddy" interviews on KZbin for the last year. This is the best one yet, and the Louis Vuitton outfit is classic.dope.

[@alfredmuveestarrmickens6841]

Kane is the truth.

[@menocu87]

Rick James Wonderful is amazing.

[@newberg7854]

He remembered everything in his life except for the SYMPHONY. Long live the KANE

[@jaydubbxperiod]

yes, and I've heard pieces of the story in other interviews. I guess he just didn't want to get into it today.😂 Long live the Kane!

[@meatyyumsteve]

I heard it was some legal stuff that happened with The Symphony. No one in the Juice Crew talks about what happened. That couldn't happen today.

[@messiahblack2295]

Kane is the man🙏🏿👊🏿💪🏿👑

[@tster4181]

Thank you! Grateful this interview had a legitimate trade craft discussion. Let’s be real, Big Daddy Kane is one of the best rappers ever. But also a great musician and all about the music. I really appreciated his reference to phrasing, specific tempos and what works best for him. I could go on forever…..my favorite sample and lyrics in rap history is Another Victory with the Booker T and The M.G.s cut Melting Pot with a Steve Cropper guitar riff. Handful of rappers with confidence and skills to hang with the samples on BDK’s tracks. He phrases like a bebop horn player…..this is what greatness sounds like.

[@spiceproductionsmusic]

Keep up the great work Noah.

[@Reevesbeatz1]

Great interview

[@misterjahi]

Well done. Probably in the top 5 interviews. Up there with the Preemo interview.

[@johnhardy9935]

Something from Kane that really resonates for me. Elevate your game. You have to be willing to change with the times. Great message for the ages!

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

That part!

[@TWes-ku6et]

Kane is my dude!

[@toyia5650]

Very Dope BDK 4 life❤

[@clizark1]

Dope interview 💥💥💥💥💪🏾

[@leeharrison8222]

for the Prince fans: go to 1:10 as the approx. starting point where Kane talks about meeting Prince. And BTW, what a great interview with one of the godfathers of rap and hip-hop!

[@chenieves8976]

GREAT SHOW IS THE HOST STEVEN BALDWIN IVE BEEN SMOKING ALL DAY. 1❤❤

[@DappadanD87]

It’s the Kane ….RAW

[@aria1974aria]

great interview!!!

[@vanjones1749]

Man great interview

[@gclark8228]

One of the greatest to ever pick up the mic...a legend!

[@rondefrom310]

i literally love seeing our hip hop legends still here, still looking good, still healthy, and still pushing knowledge/experience. all these new rappers “don’t wanna be rapping till they’re 40” shit is so lame.

[@STREETLIFE167]

Was blessed to meet Kane Twice.. The first time was at the premier of Posse somewhere in midtown. My brother worked for Warner Bros at the time and got me a pass. I took a girl that asked me to her prom. We were getting friendly and just at that time Kid Capri and Kane were walking up the aisle.. Kid Capri hit us with "looks like yall making ya own movie" ..lol. The second time I met him I was trying to get to Astoria from Harlem over the Triboro Bridge. I had missed the last M60 bus from 1st Ave at like 1am. I wasn't about to walk all the way back to Lexington to catch the 4 Train. So back then, EZ Pass didn't exist and the toll was like 5-6 bucks cash. So I figured I'd ask if I paid somebody's toll they'd give me a lift to the other side of the bridge. I saw a Mazda MPV pull up at the light. I hit em with the question and the driver said bet. I get in and It's none other than Mister Cee driving and Kane in the passenger seat. NYC is bugged. I've met damn near every hip hop hero I've ever had here.

[@browndamon]

Wonderful convo

[@gerardreynolds5232]

Dope interview

[@GranFinale]

Kane's Lyor Cohen impersonation is hilarious. 🤣

[@dreameryoung38]

Yo I forgot my man played in the movie Posse,dang good movie ,got to get the DVD since VCRs have played out

[@marlonbascombe3427]

Warm it up Kane!!!

[@shamgarsitar1170]

👁️❤your interaction

[@Ahkumuzik]

Prince cleared a guitar sample for Public Enemy's Brothers Going To Work It Out.

[@AEG1906]

dope interview.......

[@hulkthanos1332]

Long Lived The Kane (Hip Hop Royalty).

[@MrNokia8210]

Respect to Bdk. Very honest interview

[@khen7603]

Kane... You were really r and b in those two albums, but dark chocolate and prince of darkness were really underated albums. I love those two albums. I still play them today. people need to listen to those two albums more

[@jamesmuhammad8891]

BDK!Peace God something in that Brooklyn Atmosphere!!

[@jamesmoss3329]

Big up kane

[@kincamell]

Gratitude Peace to King Asiatic Nobody's Equal and The Juice Crew. Peace to Rick James. Peace to 8 track tapes (no rewind option).

[@keenkingjames]

8 track tapes were amazing. You’re tripping.

[@Npolowy]

🔥

[@darrylwashington5592]

Legendary Rapper

[@blacktriad]

Salute and Respect All The Time BDK.......‼️✌🏿👊🏿☝🏿💪🏿👍🏿✊🏿👏🏿✅️🔥

[@SilvaBlakk]

29:11 Kane didn't want to discuss that!! Lol...Dude's memory is on point and he can't remember that? Hehehehe...Salute Kane for not wanting to speak on any beef or disagreement!!

[@ViaVictorHugo]

@53:29 lmao 🤣 I can't breathe!

[@chenieves8976]

2024. PEACE WORLD. Water. 1❤

[@pozitivitymusic]

Where is the Prince-mention?

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

around 1:00:00 within the Nas question…. we’ll add to the chapters too

[@googleaccount1276]

My Goat, father to few other Goats.

[@kingallah7911]

Peace to the God

[@saquan7185]

👑👑👑👑👑

[@yopauly580]

I saw BDK i clicked ,cool channel

[@IDEAGENERATIONOFFICIAL]

hey thanks

[@mgk_moloko]

❤

[@ryanhahn9543]

The Kane in the flesh of course I'm fresh u think that forgotten I beg u pardon!

[@elonnelson5024]

💎❤️‍🔥✨️💫⚡️

[@MrEhu3]

His voice imitations are dead on......

[@coochiecrook7120]

Kane filled up that space quickly! LOL White dude had to lean back

[@MaggillaKutz71]

He never spoke of Get in to it or Just Rhyming with the Biz.

[@baustin8281]

Big Daddy Kane is my guy, but the interviewer ain't ask about Nas he asked about Pac 😂

[@chenieves8976]

RIP. BIG L. N L.I MARKIE. 1

[@stonefacephotography]

NCB THOUGHT HE ATE WITH THAT NORMAN MAILER QUOTE.🤨