Ain't No Half Steppin'
One of my first music industry friends was a gentleman by the name of Antonio Hardy, better known as Big Daddy Kane. And although we were from rival crews, we still managed to establish a great friendship. Kane and I met in 1987 at a popular Harlem nightclub called The Rooftop. The Rooftop was the place where all of the hustlers partied and popped champagne and the only yellow bottles rappers were popping were bottles of Old English 800, also known as Old Gold.
There was the time when, while riding the subway together on our way to Brooklyn on a snowy winter night, Kane pulled from his pocket a sheet of loose-leaf paper. As he unfolded the paper, I notice that what he was holding was a sheet with unfinished lyrics. Kane looked over at me, and with his deep monotone voice, he said, “D, check this out. Rapper’s stepping to me, they wanna get some. But I’m the Kane, so, yo you know the outcome. Another victory. They can’t get with me, so pick a B.C. date ‘cause you’re history." Those were the lyrics to what ended up being his signature recording, “Ain’t No Half Steppin’.”
During the train ride, Kane asked me if I would join him on stage as his hype man for his performance during Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater, where he was the special guest that evening. I agreed to do so. After exiting the subway, we immediately headed to his apartment to ask his father if he could borrow his car for the evening. After borrowing his father’s old Cadillac, we headed to the Apollo Theater. No more than three blocks away from his apartment, Kane made a left turn and lost control of the vehicle. The car did a 360 spin and we crashed into a dumpster. And just like a true concerned friend, the first thing he said to me was, “D, don’t tell anyone”. What a friend!
Comments
Wow. That was a trip! A Flash Back. I came up in the Bronx. I remember the era. The People. The Block Parties. Yo, the b/w Kane shot is Tough! Peace to KRS-One! Those are Classic Photos, D!
Posted by: Zire | February 5, 2007 08:25 PM
Damn, these pictures really took me back...esp. the one with DJ Scott LaRock and Kool Moe Dee...making me feel old...lol
Posted by: The Phoenix | May 25, 2006 07:06 PM
YO!!! Wasnt that YOUR burgandy leather kris had on at the Red Devil's Nest on Tremont ave! AHHHH!
Posted by: Walt B | April 6, 2006 09:24 AM
Peace,
D,
We met at the De La show in Central Park and again at a KRS show some time after at SOB's. I'm the illustrator and comic book artist. I've been a fan since back in the day and it was a pleasure meeting and talking with you. I love the site and your photography is amazing. You need to have them published. Drop me a line sometime and let's talk about that. I hope all is well.
Peace, Adam
Posted by: Adam at July 28, 2005 11:18 PM
Adam if you get to read this I'm hoping you'd recognize ur comments posted awhile back. I'm in dire need of an illustrator...that's why I'm reaching out to you via this medium...if you are out there and getting to read this PLZ hola @ me malik18a@yahoo.com.
On the flip side...if there's any illustrator/comic book artist out there reading this...you could as well hola @ a bruda...
Peace and oh..D, nice job...this happens to be one of the dopest sites out there...keep up the good work mate..
One
Posted by: Malik | January 29, 2006 09:43 AM
Yo D-Nice!! It's ya boy Jay from the chilly state Grand Rapids, Michigan...just wanted to send some love to you homie....I don't care what people say....hip-hop will never be the same,old skool is King......today man no rappers bustin rhymes like yall did man...no knowledge...no stories...nothing to relate to....just the girls,the shine, and the money....man KRS, you, X-Clan,PRT (poor righteous teachers),Tribe Called Quest,Run-DMC,Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick...I can go on and on man but for real...yall set the standard and as far as I;m concerned aint no one even come close....I hit a show this past July in Pontiac Michigan...and saw Slick Rick tha ruler, Whoodini, Chubb Roc, Dana Dane, Rob Base...come on now...History right in front of my eyes...and they put on a hype show...oh yeah...what ever happened to the DJ???? no crews runnin with a live DJ no more man?? Just 3 words for ya...Jam Master Jay....nuff said. YO D ...keep holdin it down for the old skool homies...and by the way....can a brother get your album "Call Me D-Nice" ? Can't find that anywhere. Peace Bruh....One Name Jay
Posted by: Jay | December 15, 2005 02:25 PM
This website is interesting. It takes you back to where you want to be....when rhymes were about kicking knowledge with a dope beat behind it, dressing fresh to def', and having the time of our lives.....Lampin'
Posted by: Cynthia | October 4, 2005 05:06 PM
i don't have a comment this is more of search if you don't mind. yo, help me out. what ever happended or where is rapper Parrish. he was an old school PE,Brand Nubin type,w/rugged beats and all. the last recordings i remember his cover had a black panther on it or in its title. i could be wrong but help me out man.
Posted by: G | September 21, 2005 11:53 AM
I LOVE THE OLD SCHOOL...I USED TO DANCE IN FRONT OF MY BROTHERS MIRROR WHILE I'D WATCH YALL ON VIDEO MUSIC BOX...BY THE WAY, WE CAUGHT YALL AT FRESH FEST 2005. I AM GLAD DANA DANE BROUGHT YOU AND KWAME OUT BACK TO BACK. JUST CALL ME D NICE AND THE RHYTHME KIND OF DROPPED AROUND THE SAME TIME BACK IN THE DAY. I HOPE THEIR WILL BE A FRESH FEST 2006 AND I HOPE KANE WILL ACTUALLY COME OUT...RAKIM...KRS...I HOPE EVERYBODY DOES. BY THE WAY, BIG SHOUT OUT TO WHODINI FOR GIVING ON OF THEE BEST HIP HOP SHOWS I'VE EVER EXPERIENCED.
LIFE
Posted by: LIFE | September 2, 2005 09:44 AM
Peace, D
We met at the De La show in Central Park and again at a KRS show some time after at SOB's. I'm the illustrator and comic book artist. I've been a fan since back in the day and it was a pleasure meeting and talking with you. I love the site and your photography is amazing. You need to have them published. Drop me a line sometime and let's talk about that.
I hope all is well.
Peace,
Adam
Posted by: Adam | July 28, 2005 11:18 PM
Thanks for all the great memories D-Nice. Those are some dope ass pics, makes me think of when I 10 yrs. old kid doing Kane, Scoob and Scrap dances, to Ain't No Half Steppin', haha. Kane is my favorite MC of all time and I've seen him perform only for the 1st time, just last year at a spot in BK called Southpaw (Park Slope). It was off the chain, and earlier this year at BB Kings to a sold out NYC crowd. SO just in case you didn't know (which I'm sure you do) He's performing in Brooklyn at a park, as always, showing love for the real hip-hop and the true fans of the game + the concert is free. It's at Brower Park. Thanks for the time, and keep up the good work D, peace.
P.S. here's the link: http://upcoming.org/event/20619
Posted by: Manny | July 7, 2005 03:00 AM
D-Nice, so "Nice" with it. Dog's, I cannot remember when a Hip-Hop Head decided to post retro footage from back in the day. Growing up in Brooklyn and witnessing so much of what your photos captured brings back memories. "Memories don't live like people do" These gems are a time machine into the past and cannot be "redux." No matter what other "PAC’s" "50’s" or any other rapper that comes our way, no one will EVER be able to do what you and so many others that have come before them have done.....The foundation has already been laid. Only what you build on that foundation will determine what comes after. So far... Sand and Chaff. Your passion for what the ears hear and what the eyes see is very moving. Your are truly a Hip-Hop Renaissance soul. May God continue to shine his LIGHT in your direction and may you always be inspired to do great things.
An Old. and New fan
Joseph (Out of Brooklyn by way of Guyana roots in Orlando) Peace...
Posted by: Joseph A. Daiels | March 23, 2005 10:14 AM
Now that'z wut I call real hip-hop , I was taken for a ride through memory lane just now ... lol , thanx for taken it back D-nice , we all needed that .
P.E.A.C.E.
Lord Aries .
Posted by: Lord Aries | March 22, 2005 03:20 AM
Snap! Man those were the days! Between KRS, Rakim and BDK, bananas! Thanks for the memories.
Peace and Love always,
-Trentonlev
Posted by: Lev | March 10, 2005 04:24 PM
I met Kane, one of his dancers and an unidentified cat at the Sizzler Steak House on Rt. 40 West here in Baltimore when I was a senior in high school. They sat at a table in my section, but this chick named Prantika stole my table thinking she would get a big tip from the "guys with all the gold". She didnt even know who they were (and she didnt get a big tip). Two of the dishwashers was real gassed and pressed up on Kane and crew and I think got some passes to the show or autographs or something. Come to think of it. I don't think I did actually speak to Kane. I was on some, "I'm too cool to sweat entertainers" isht. LOL... But truth be told, I was open and upset that Pran stole my table. I just couldnt play myself. By the way, that was circa 88-89
Posted by: Mike In Bmore | March 6, 2005 01:02 AM
respect d-nice!
thanks for the wonderful memories
Posted by: pma | February 28, 2005 05:50 PM
yo d.....good 2 see ya still doin ya thang....old school pics r the best....i got some video's of you back when we was on the dope jam tour....one
Posted by: DONALD-D | February 25, 2005 08:43 AM
hey D, this is jb darryl partner from the super bowl.
boy do those pictures bring back memory's
Posted by: JB | February 22, 2005 11:09 AM
More stories from back in the day PLEASE!!
You probably don't remember me but we met at Glen Pointe in NJ one day. I said peace,you said peace...that was it. I was like "That's the TR-808 right there!"
Anyway, thanks for the memories and the pics.....how about some stories from the BDP vs Juice Crew days.(The last great crew battle in my opinion)
Peace!
Posted by: L. "QRock639" Cue | February 19, 2005 04:40 PM
Beautiful.
Posted by: Goshin | February 18, 2005 08:13 PM
That was great!!! Thanks for sharing. Wow...memories.
Posted by: Berry | February 18, 2005 04:56 PM
man, those were the good old days....someone bring back the real hip hop!...thanks, for the memories D!
Posted by: Elvin | February 18, 2005 01:07 PM
I first met Big Daddy Kane when he took my first artist Shyheim on tour with him in the early 90's. This was an important kick off to the kids career and Kane was dope to let us rock with him. Shy was a kid so I had to travel with him and we had a ball. Scoob lover, Mr. Cee, Larry Williams etc... Thanks Kane for everything. Thanks D-Nice for the flicks (especially The Audio Two, I just forwarded this to Milk Dee). Peace, Guy
Posted by: Guy Routte | February 18, 2005 09:21 AM
These pictures are great!
Posted by: Nikki | February 18, 2005 09:07 AM
D - I can't believe how young you guys all look! That story gave me chills because I had cats like you and Kane in my walkman on my way to school (Sorry dude, not trying to make you feel old). Can I call you uncle D?
Posted by: Dirty JAX | February 17, 2005 09:54 PM
wow, great story. I love those behind the scenes tales.
My friends and I just so happen to be building a tribute site to Kane, to bolster his overlooked legacy. Can we use this story in our history section?
Peep the site: Big Daddy Kane Tribute
And peep our public building site: BDK Tribute Team
Posted by: Hashim | February 17, 2005 09:40 PM
great shots, good days...
Posted by: sonja valentine | February 17, 2005 05:56 PM
This is a friend of mine, please pay attention!
Posted by: Kimberly Young | February 17, 2005 05:30 PM
damn
all I could do was smile when I see these photos. this shit is mint! I hope todays hip hoppers recognize their roots and pay homage to those that set the pace!
Posted by: easy ed artis | February 17, 2005 04:56 PM
I first met Kane in '88, at a club I was spinning at called Better Days, I believe friday was gay night, some junk like that, SO I am sure we met on a "SATURDAY", LOL LOL. Flava Flav was in the house as well. Anyway, we hit if off that night, he said he dug my style on the 12's, I even hit him off with 2 of his jointz. We met again ,I beleive in '89, in North Carolina, THE AGGIE FEST !! As he was performing, some DIP started shooting, Kane, being a true New Yorker, saw me spoke, asked did I need a ride. I told him I was good, but I never forgot the offer from one of the true Rap Pioneers, Long live "THE KANE"!!! DJ TONY LOVE -BROOKLYN
Posted by: DJ TONY LOVE | February 17, 2005 04:53 PM
So is this story going to have a part II that tells what his father's reaction was?
Is that why his next song was "I work" cuz I would guess he had to pay his pops back for dentin' the hoo ride...haha.
Posted by: Jacqueline | February 17, 2005 04:44 PM