Long Live the Kane

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Long Live the Kane is the debut album by Brooklyn MC Big Daddy Kane, released on June 21, 1988 by Cold Chillin’ and Warner Bros. Records. Produced mostly by Marley Marl, it showcased one of the fastest, smoothest and most confident rappers of the Juice Crew era.

The story

Kane arrived with a string of singles that defined his range: the rapid-fire “Raw,” the cool “Ain’t No Half-Steppin’,” “Set It Off” and “I’ll Take You There.” Juice Crew allies Biz Markie, Scoob Lover and Mister Cee appear on the record. The beat for “Set It Off” was originally made by The 45 King for Biz Markie, until Kane heard the James Brown sample and claimed it.

Sound and production

Marley Marl kept the production sparse and quick, with hard drums and lean James Brown samples that let Kane’s breath control and wordplay carry the songs.

Charts and certifications

Long Live the Kane peaked at No. 116 on the Billboard 200 and No. 5 on the R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart, and it was certified Gold in 1989.

Legacy

Its drums and hooks have been sampled by Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Gang Starr, Nas and MF DOOM, among others. Rolling Stone ranked it No. 42 on its 2022 list of the 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums.