Big Daddy Kane has a solution regarding the state of Hip Hop — which has yet to secure a No. 1 album or single this year — and believes that bridging the gap with younger artists like Lil Uzi Vert and Kodak Black might be the answer.
During an interview with V-103’s The Big Tigger Morning Show, the “Ain’t No Half Steppin’” rapper noted that while Hip Hop reaching its 50th birthday is a great feat, the older and younger artists will need to work together to sustain the genre.
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“To get another 50, I believe that we need to bridge that gap between the older generation and the younger generation,” he told Big Tigger. “We had our shot, we did our thing, we’re still around, and we have a fan base that supports us for our catalog. So we’re not trying to threaten the younger generation, not trying to replace them.”
He continued: “I would love to sit down with the likes of like Lil Uzi Vert or Kodak Black or Migos, any of these cats, just to build. I think that’s what’s important when there can be a connection where the past generation can talk with the future generation and give them [the] game.”
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The rapper also discussed who makes the cut regarding his Mount Rushmore of rappers, which included iconic rappers like KRS-One, Rakim, and more.
“If we’re talking during that era of late ’80s, early ’90s, I would say myself, [KRS-One], Rakim, and [Kool G Rap]. It changes with each era,” he said. “There are artists that did great things in their era, so I acknowledge them that way. I mean, going all the way back to Melle Mel, Kool Moe Dee, Grandmaster Caz, those cats.”
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Big Daddy Kane seems to have taken the younger generation of artists under his wing and doesn’t hesitate to give rappers their flowers. He recently showed some serious love to J. Cole and Migos, even going so far as to refer to the former as his “hero.”
The comments were made while he was a guest on 97.9’s The Box earlier this year, where the rap legend applauded Cole for his contribution to Hip Hop as well as shouting out Kendrick Lamar, Rapsody, and Lady London in the process.
“J. Cole is my hero,” he said when asked which new-generation rappers inspire him. “That’s my dude right there. J. Cole is my hero. I love Kendrick as well. Rhapsody, Lady London. Lady London is a monster. She is incredible.”
Kane also saluted the trio of Quavo, Offset, and the late TakeOff, comparing them to a pioneering group from Hip Hop’s early days.
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“I was so hoping and praying to see another Migos album because their style reminded me of The Funky 4 + 1 with their in-and-out, and I’m a fan of their music and their fashion,” he added. “Because that’s something that’s important to me. Those dudes be fly.”
