When it comes to the Golden Age of Hip Hop, there are certain rappers who can’t go without being mentioned. Some made their mark with several albums, while others contributed with just one or two. Either way, it would be unintelligent to leave their names out of the conversation. Big Daddy Kane and Slick Rick definitely fit that bill. Let’s talk about their debut albums — Long Live the Kane and The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, respectively.
Long Live the Kane dropped first, on June 21, 1988. Released under the famous label Cold Chillin’ Records, Kane’s many skill sets were on full display. His lyrics, combined with Juice Crew founder Marley Marl’s production, proved to be a match made in Heaven. The album featured standout tracks such as “Ain’t No Half-Steppin’,” “Set It Off,” “Raw,” and “Just Rhymin’ with Biz,” featuring Biz Markie.
Long Live the Kane didn’t perform strongly on the Billboard 200, peaking only at number 116. However, it fared much better on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, reaching number 5, and is considered a classic among BDK’s longtime followers. It was certified Gold, selling over 500,000 copies.
The Great Adventures of Slick Rick arrived five months later, on November 1, 1988. While Rick was also lyrical, his strong point was his distinctive storytelling style.
My personal favorite track is “Teenage Love.” With the bass guitar driving the groove, Rick the Ruler tells the story of the ups and downs of young love:
“If it’s not true love, you shouldn’t deal with it. Just think of your future, and what is to come.” – Slick Rick
Other notable hits include “Hey Young World,” “Mona Lisa,” and “Children’s Story.”
The Great Adventures of Slick Rick performed better on the charts than Kane’s debut, topping Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and peaking at number 31 on the Billboard’s 200.
As I mentioned earlier, some legends’ names can’t go without being mentioned. Big Daddy Kane and Slick Rick’s names would be adequate.
‘Long Live the Kane’ or ‘The Great Adventures of Slick Rick?’
Polls Are Closed!
The Great Adventures of Slick Rick – 58%
Long Live the Kane – 42%
