In praise of Big Daddy Kane and Black Thought
Belatedly, for the birthdays of these two geniuses.
I’ve been meaning to write a piece in praise of Big Daddy Kane and Black Thought, who are two of the greatest rappers in the history of the game and who both celebrated their birthdays recently, on September 10th and October 3rd respectively. In rap-era terms, Kane (who turned 53) is a generation older than Tariq (who turned 48), and in fact the former directly influenced the latter, but I see it as appropriate to link them together, because they’re clearly kindred spirits in the sense that they’re both constitutionally devoted to the art of rocking the mic with as much flair, panache, and showmanship as possible. It’s true that Kane is significantly flashier than the relatively cerebral Black Thought, or at least was in his prime, but the two share a common ethos – they are both very fine craftsmen of superb rap lyrics, and they are two of the most technically virtuosic rappers in history.
Let me call your attention to a few key examples of why each of them is so great. For starters, listen to this – I can’t imagine anyone who even remotely likes rap music not being staggered by Kane’s brilliance here. (Please note that the remix of this song is very bad and should be ignored.) I can hardly even cognize how amazing it is that any human being could or should ever have been capable of this. What a dazzlingly kinetic, electrifying performance it is – well-written, but also performed the fuck out of. Kane’s charisma is so undeniable that it turned him into a world-conquering figure almost by itself. It’s also noteworthy with that with only two possible exceptions (Ultra Magnus and Busta Rhymes), Kane is by far the best rap live performer I’ve ever seen. And I am particularly fond of a lot of the work he’s done in his middle age, notably this, this, this, and this. I think he’s even better as a writer now than he was in his late-‘80s heyday, and he deserves major props for his ongoing excellence. On top of which, this, this, this, and this will always be classics.
Black Thought, meanwhile, is one of the most popular selections for the title of the greatest writer of rap lyrics in the history of the artform, especially among people who make rap music semi-professionally themselves. He’s a little bit of a Velvet Underground figure, in that almost everyone who hears him immediately becomes a rapper themselves if they can. Now, it happens to be the case that I am not as keen on the 1990s work that made him famous as most, but it’s also in incontestable truth that his best work is some of the best rap music that will ever exist in any realm, earthly or heavenly. This absolutely jaw-dropping masterpiece put him in my top five rappers list by itself, because I think it’s probably the best display of pure rap skill ever. It features so much striking imagery, packs in so many absurdly creative and witty bars (a “bar” is a line of rap), and is delivered with such technical wizardry that I don’t think there’s any denying it. Pair that with this and this, and it’s clear you have a visionary and a maestro at work. Respect a true don.
It’s very pleasurable for me to have the opportunity to praise my heroes, particularly to salute two of them in the same breath. These men have made such indelible contributions to the art form to which I have devoted my life that they deserve ceaseless joy, and it is richly meaningful for me to endeavour to offer to them whatever tribute I have the capacity to. God’s joy be upon them! May He sustain them forever!
Great piece