Reigning from the golden era of hip-hop, Big Daddy Kane is a lyrical innovator whose quick paced flow and cloudless bars caused an uproar of influence throughout the classes of future emcees. A certified hip-hop legend, King Asiatic recently stopped by NPR’s Tiny Desk to give a live nostalgic performance of his essential classics “Raw,” “Smooth Operator,” and “Ain’t No Half Steppin'” along with an illustrious freestyle that proves he remains a master at the craft of emceeing.
Undoubtedly well-matured, the Golden Era legend starts off with “Smooth Operator” and puts on his display his mastered skill as a showman, encouraging crowd participation while introducing his band members to onlookers. The performance is complementary to that of a jazz singer like Nat King Cole, but of course, this time it is a rapper oozing a classical approach. In between songs, Kane dropped mini splashes of his own wisdom and of course, they are centered on the topic of hip-hop culture. He clearly is not looking to be labeled as one of those “old-school” rappers who express their discernment towards modern day rapping. “…I see like a lot of bias stuff going on you know about this is not hip-hop and this is real hip-hop. But you never know what floats somebody’s boat. Whatever form of hip-hop you like man…love it. Keep it going. Keep it strong. Make sure it stay powerful.” Kane states after a soothing performance of “Ain’t No Half Steppin’.”
“I mean, there’s always gonna be different ways of presenting something and expressing yourself, you know. Everybody gonna have their own way of doing it. But I think what’s most important is those who really love hip-hop they try to focus on what’s positive and keep that in the spotlight.”
After flowing right into his quick pressured tune “Raw,” the Brooklyn legend effortlessly broke into a freestyle which left the NPR office aroused in a clapping accolade as he ended with a ferocious bang “…forget it before I said it, I’m the don.”
Watch Big Daddy Kane’s NPR Tiny Desk concert performance, here.
