Happy Birthday and Salute to Big Daddy Kane!

Born Antonio Hardy in Brooklyn, New York, his stage name Kane was an acronym for “King Asiatic Nobody’s Equal”. In ’84, Kane met New York rapper Biz Markie, and they both became close friends.

Kane’s first success came as a write for Biz, and both became important members of the Queens based “Juice Crew”, headed by renowned producer Marley Marl. Kane signed with Marl’s Cold Chillin’ label in ’87 and debuted the next year with the 12 inch single Raw.

The following year, Kane released his debut album Long Lie the Kane. In ’89 his second album It’s A Big Daddy Thing dropped, and both went Gold. Kane was the first rapper to ever have sold out two shows at the world famous Apollo Theater – for women only.

Kane is a prolific performer with the use of theatrics, choreography, and costumes. He revolutionized hip-hop fashion and performances. Kane maintained his sex-symbol status by posing for Madonna’s 1992 photo book “Sex”.

Proving that Kane is a true entertainer, he has made appearances on the big screen in the movies Posse, Meteor Man, Brown Sugar, and Gunmen.

Today we salute and wish a Happy Birthday to Big Daddy Kane!