Our Top 10 Big Daddy Kane Songs list looks at a legendary rapper, producer and actor. Big Daddy Kane has been considered one of the most influential rappers in hip-hop music. He is from the golden age of hip-hop music. He rose to fame in the 1980s. The rapper is known for his fast rhyming. He is a trendsetter because of his style of rap as well as his fashion sense. He has been picked on many lists as one of the greatest rappers of all time. He was included on our list of “25 Best Rappers Of All Time.” Big Daddy Kane’s albums are considered classics. Some of his hits include “Ain’t No Half-Steppin’,” “Smooth Operator,” “Groove with It,” “The Lover in You,” “Very Special,” as well as others.
Antonio Hardy was born on September 10, 1968. He got his start in music by writing lyrics for Biz Markie. They were both members of Juice Crew. In 1987, Big Daddy Kane released the single “Raw” which went on to be a hit. Big Daddy Kane got his nickname from a character David Carradine played on the TV show Kung Fu and from a character Vincent Price played in the movie Beach Party. He released his debut album Long Live the Kane in June 1988. The album peaked at number 116 on the Billboard 200 charts and number five on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts. The album features the singles “Raw,” “Ain’t No Half-Steppin’,” “Set It Off” and “I’ll Take You There.” The album sold over 500,000 copies.
It’s a Big Daddy Thing dropped in September 1989 and peaked at number 33 on the Billboard 200 charts and number four on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts. It features the singles “Smooth Operator” and “I Get the Job Done.” The album sold over 500,000 copies. Taste of Chocolate came out in October 1990. It peaked at number 37 on the Billboard 200 charts and number 10 on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts. “Because I Can Do It Right,” “All of Me” and “It’s Hard Being the Kane.” Prince of Darkness came out in October 1991. It peaked at number 57 on the Billboard 200 charts and number 25 on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts. It features the singles “Groove with It,” “Raw ‘91” and “The Lover in You.”
Looks Like a Job For… came out in May 1993. It peaked at number 52 on the Billboard 200 charts and number nine on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts. It features the singles “Very Special” and “How U Get a Record Deal?” Daddy’s Home was released in September 1994. It peaked at number 154 on the Billboard 200 charts and number 26 on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts. It features the single “Show & Prove.” Veteranz’ came out in April 1998 and peaked at number 62 on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts. It features the single “Uncut, Pure.” He also released a collaborative album.
Big Daddy Kane made a name for himself in the golden age of rap music. He has become one of the most influential MCs in the music business. He raps about a variety of things which means he has something for everyone. Our Top 10 Big Daddy Kane list will give us a chance to honor the legendary rapper.
# 10 -Keep ‘Em on the Floor – ft. Barbara Weathers
The 10th song on our Top 10 Big Daddy Kane Songs list is “Keep ‘Em on the Floor” from the Taste of Chocolate album. The single was released around 1990/1991. The song is about getting people to dance. Big Daddy Kane is the smooth operator and musical maestro who can get the crowd going with his spectacular performances. He wants to create a fun atmosphere where people can dance and have fun. His skills get people moving even when they have a rough day. He has a soothing effect on people. In the second verse, he promises his fans that they will enjoy his show and they won’t get a chance to sit down. He believes his vocal strength is comparable to Sarah Vaughan and his flow is on point.
This song is about escapism. He wants people to dance and have fun. He wants his music to unite people. The song is a reminder that music can bring people together no matter what type of day they are having. It’s a great song to listen to when you are feeling down and need something to pick you up. “Keep ‘Em on the Floor” has the classic hip-hop 90s beat. It’s upbeat and energetic which is what a song like this needs.
The song will make a great dance anthem. We applaud Big Daddy Kane for writing a song with a positive message. Big Daddy Kane sounds like a maestro on the mic. He sounds like he belongs in the hip-hop game. Former Atlantic Starr singer Barbara Weathers is along for the ride. She sounds different from her days with Atlantic Starr, but her voice is strong.
# 9 – To Be Your Man ft. Chuck Stanley and Blue Magic
The ninth song on our Top 10 Big Daddy Kane Songs list is “To Be Your Man” from the It’s a Big Daddy Thing album. The single was released in 1990. This song is about a man who falls in love at first sight. He’s so in love with her that he’s ready to make a commitment with her even though he doesn’t know her that well. He is aware that his heart is fragile because he has been hurt before. He wants her to protect his heart.
Big Daddy Kane is used to being hurt, but he trusts that she will protect his heart. He will go to great lengths for her. The rapper thinks about meeting her for the first time and how drawn he was to her. Throughout the song he admits that he’s afraid to get his heart broken, but he’s willing to take the risk.
“To Be Your Man” tells a story about a man in love and what he will do for the woman he loves. He has been hurt in the past, but wants to take the risk of being with her. The lyrics are sensitive and romantic. The song reminds you of the initial stages of a relationship. It may bring back memories of when you first fell in love with your partner. We enjoyed how Big Daddy Kane showed a vulnerable side. Most of us are afraid of getting our hearts broken when we’re in love and the lyrics to this song convey that feeling.
The lyrics read like poetry as he describes the intense feelings he has for the woman he loves. This song gives the legend a chance to slow things down. We applaud the legend for using instrumentation for this song instead of computer-generated music. The song fuses r&b and hip-hop music together. Big Daddy Kane’s smooth flow is amazing on this track. He does more talking than he does rapping, but you will be impressed with his flow.
# 8 – I’ll Take You There
The eighth song on our Top 10 Big Daddy Kane Songs list is “I’ll Take You There” and it appears on the Long Live the Kane album. The single was released in 1989. It’s about a man who wants to live in a world where people are happy, and crime and problems don’t exist. This is a place where people from all walks of life can chill out and relax. Crime doesn’t exist in this world and people don’t have to work their fingers to the bone just to make money.
People of all ages can party together and hang out until dawn without having to worry about anything. You don’t have to worry about your house being okay or leaving valuables on your porch at night. People can live and rejoice in this world. They don’t have to worry about facing any problems.
“I’ll Take You There” is a positive story about living in an idealistic world. In this world, everyone is happy and can exist together as one. This is a world where crime and problems don’t exist. The track explores peace and joy in the world. We all want to live in a place like the one he describes in the song. The song was recorded decades ago, but we can still benefit from it today. With everything going on in the world, this is a song we would all need to hear. The lyrics will make you yearn for the world he wants us to live in. Big Daddy Kane wants listeners to embrace the idea that this idealistic place can exist.
The song is a great escapism from everything going on in the world. The beat has a classic 80s sound. The rap legend samples the Staples Singers’ song “I’ll Take You There” for this song. It makes sense because they have the same title. It gives you a chance to hear both songs in one. Big Daddy Kane sounds passionate as he raps about peace in the world. He sounds sincere talking about wanting a better life for everyone and we’re here for the ride. We would love to go with him on this journey.
# 7 – Cause I Can Do It Right
The seventh song on our list is “Cause I Can Do It Right” from the Taste of Chocolate album. The single was released in 1990. It’s about a man who knows how to please women physically and emotionally. He boasts about the way he pleases women. He is a smooth operator who can please women with his words and his actions.
Big Daddy Kane reminisces about his experiences with women in the past. He also talks about how his skills with women developed over the years. He considers himself a player when it concerns women. He has a collection of women. His father was a player and he’s passing the torch on to him so he can be the ladies’ man that he was in the past.
“Cause I Can Do It Right” is filled with boldness and confidence. Big Daddy Kane would have to be confident to believe he can please any woman. He is known as a ladies’ man so it makes sense for him to record a song like this one. He’s the master of seduction. He’s proud of his ability to please women the way they want to be pleased. Big Daddy Kane manages not to degrade women while he’s talking about them.
He wanted to please women and not exploit them. This is the type of rap song that we would expect him to record since he carries himself as a ladies’ man. At the height of his career, women were going crazy over him so the lyrics are believable. Guys may not have been too fond of him because he might have taken their women from them, but you have to respect the game. The song has a classic 90s New York hip-hop sound. His lyrical flow is amazing. He does the fast rhyming that he’s known for doing.
# 6 – Ain’t No Half-Steppin’
“Ain’t No Half-Steppin’” is from the Long Live the Kane album. The single was released in 1988. The track is about him thinking no one can compete with him in the rap game. Anyone who tries to compete with him will be defeated. He’s a lyrical genius who can beat anyone. He lists all the ways that he’s a better rapper than the others. Big Daddy Kane is original and creative. He doesn’t like imitators and considers himself an innovator in hip-hop music. His rhymes and concepts are unique and he doesn’t want anyone to copy his style. He insults his opponents while boosting himself up. Throughout the song, he claims no one can touch him.
“Ain’t No Half-Steppin’” is an intense song about his ability to beat his competitors in the rap game. Big Daddy Kane wants listeners to know that he is a rap genius and others are only imitators. He is very confident in his ability to rap. This is a common theme in hip-hop music. Most rappers talk about being the best in the business so we aren’t surprised that Big Daddy Kane threw his hat in the ring too.
He’s one of the influential rappers so he wasn’t lying about his abilities. The song isn’t just about boasting about himself. He emphasizes originality and creativity which is missing from hip-hop music. This song is a throwback to the 80s. It’s considered one of the greatest hip-hop songs of all time. This is a timeless song that will never get old.
# 5 – All of Me ft. Barry White
The next song on our Top 10 Big Daddy Kane Songs list is “All of Me” from Big Daddy Kane’s Taste of Chocolate album and Barry White’s Just for You album. The song came out in 1991. The song is about the importance of having someone in your life to share your success. The song is a conversation between Big Daddy Kane and Barry White. They are talking about success meaning nothing if you don’t have someone you love by your side.
They talk about how important it is to talk to your partner. It is important to tell your lover how much you desire them and need them in your life. Big Daddy Kane talks about how he desires his partner. He wants her from head to toe. Barry White advises Big Daddy Kane to talk to his lover to make sure they please each other and they are fulfilled.
“All of Me” is a romantic ballad that reminds listeners that love is important. Even if you have success, it’s meaningless without someone to love you. The song shares aspects of love between a couple. This song unites two maestros from different genres of music. Big Daddy Kane is the ladies’ man of rap music while Barry White is the ladies’ man of r&b and soul music. They are right at home with this song. They know what it takes to please women and this song would fit in that category.
Big Daddy Kane and Barry White talk throughout the song. This is creative for Big Daddy Kane because he’s known for rapping and not talking in his songs. Their voices are smooth and seductive. They can melt the hearts of any woman. They are from two different worlds, but they came together for this song. They record songs about pleasing women so it makes sense for them to record a song like this together. The song is in Barry White’s wheelhouse more than Big Daddy Kane’s, but they make it work.
# 4 – Groove With It – ft. Laree Williams
“Groove with It” appears on the Prince of Darkness album. It was released in October 1991. It’s about the power of music being able to bring people together. He wants to get people dancing. He wants listeners to let loose and dance to the music that he plays. The music is funky like Parliament and smooth like Luther Vandross. Big Daddy Kane is going to make the party come to life. He’s going to rock the mic. He is convinced he will get more cheers than anyone else when he’s finished on the mic.
The song shifts gears when he talks about violence that happens at concerts. Big Daddy Kane wants people to think about positive things instead of getting in fights. He addresses other rappers who have bad reputations because violence is associated with their shows. He advises them to have peace and let go of the violence. Instead of fighting, he wants listeners to rejoice.
“Groove with It” isn’t just about being the best on the mic. It has an inspirational message. Big Daddy Kane wants people to unite and end violence. He wants listeners to dance with each other instead of fighting with each other. He wants peace and unity in the world. He found a way to turn a braggadocious song into one about healing. He could have easily had the song be about his mic skills. Instead, he wanted to use his platform to put out an uplifting message about unity.
We applaud Big Daddy Kane for not just bragging about his mic skills. Peace and harmony is an important message to give to the fans. This is a theme that will never get old especially with the things that are going on in this world today. We should focus on dancing and uniting instead of hurting each other. The song has an r&b and hip-hop sound that you can dance to while you hear it. It has a New Jack Swing sound. Big Daddy Kane’s smooth voice works with this song.
# 3 – The Lover in You – ft. Laree Williams
Coming in at number three on our list is “The Lover in You” from the Prince of Darkness album. The song came out in February 1992. This song gives advice to men on how to treat the women in their lives. He encourages men to treat women with respect. He also advises them on how to keep the spark alive in their relationships. The song opens with Big Daddy Kane talking about men being gentlemen.
He feels like men should treat their partners with respect. They should present themselves well for the people in their lives. He advises men to make their lovers feel special. Big Daddy Kane advises men to treat their women the way Babyface and Jeffrey Osborne treat women in their songs.
“The Lover in You” is an informative song about the way men should treat their significant others. He wants men to treat their partners with tender, loving care. It’s an important message that men need to follow. If you want to keep your partner happy, you should follow Big Daddy Kane’s advice. This song will enable you to have a meaningful connection with the person you love. If you don’t treat your partner the way they deserve to be treated, this song may encourage you to change your ways.
We give him an A+ for advising men to treat their partners right. Anyone would feel special hearing these lyrics. Big Daddy Kane has the smooth operator vocals on this track. He slows things down for this song. It’s easy to follow along with him while he’s rhyming. The song contains a sample of Prince’s “Pop Life.” The sample makes the song sound special. The R&B beat dominates the hip-hop sound in this song. Everything about this song works and it will be an earworm.
# 2 – Very Special – ft. DJ Spinderella Karen Anderson and Laree Williams
“Very Special” is from the Looks Like a Job For… album. The song was released in June 1993. “Very Special” is about a couple in love and how it can change your life. Big Daddy Kane opens the song by talking about his admiration and love for a special person in his life. He has fallen head over heels in love with her. He wants to be close to her and be the best man he can be. He doesn’t need any other women in his life because he has her.
Spinderella talks about him treating her with chivalry and respect. The way he treats her makes their relationship exciting. They are the perfect blend. She believes no other love is as good as their love. She is convinced that they are meant to be together. Big Daddy Kane ends the song by saying that he’s committed to her.
“Very Special” tells a story about the power of love. Love is meant to be special and will connect you with your partner. The sentimental song teaches you to have deep love and appreciation for the special person in your life. “Very Special” gives Big Daddy Kane a chance to show off his romantic and sensitive side.
He lets his guard down and shows his vulnerable side. He doesn’t brag about being a ladies’ man or about being the best MC in music. He simply wants to focus on the love of his life.
We’re used to seeing Spinderella with Salt-N-Pepa so it was a nice change to hear her rapping with Big Daddy Kane. She does a great job with her lyrics. She’s right there supporting the legend throughout the song. Karen Anderson and Laree Williams are amazing in the chorus. They make you remember the song “Very Special” by Debra Laws. They sing the chorus from Debra Laws’ song. Karen Anderson and Laree Williams hold notes at the end of the song. Speaking of the song, Big Daddy Kane used “Very Special” as a sample for this tender ballad. The sample is the perfect fit for this song.
# 1 – Smooth Operator
The number one song on our Top 10 Big Daddy Kane Songs list is “Smooth Operator” from the It’s a Big Daddy Thing album. The single came out in August 1989. The song is about his skills as a rapper and his skills with women. He calls out his competitors for not being as talented as he is. He brags about his ability to perform onstage. Big Daddy Kane brags about his skills as a rapper. In the next verse, he talks about women. He considers himself a ladies’ man. He can charm women with his words. The legendary rapper knows how to please his listeners with his smooth delivery. In the third verse, he calls other rappers out for trying to compete with him.
“Smooth Operator” is about Big Daddy Kane’s confidence in his skills as a rapper. He’s also confident in his skills as a ladies’ man. He likes to inform other MCs that he’s the best rapper in the game. Seeing as he’s an influential rapper, he may be speaking the truth. There aren’t many rappers who can compare to the “smooth operator.” The lyrics combine the two things he likes to talk about in his songs (his mic skills and his skills with the ladies). The music is catchy and will have you on the dance floor. His flow is smooth as silk. He is one of the greatest rappers of all time. He can give rappers a run for their money today. He is a gentleman rapper because he doesn’t degrade women in his songs. He calls his competitors out with class even when he tells them that he’s the best.
Feature Photo: RustyShack, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Top 10 Big Daddy Kane Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
Classicrockhistory.com claims ownership of all its original content and Intellectual property under United States Copyright laws and those of all other foreign countries. No one person, business, or organization is allowed to re-publish any of our original content anywhere on the web or in print without our permission. All photos used are either public domain creative commons photos or licensed officially from Shutterstock under license with ClassicRockHistory.com. All photo credits have been placed at the end of the article. Album Cover Photos are affiliate links and the property of Amazon and are stored on the Amazon server. Any theft of our content will be met with swift legal action against the infringing websites.
