Big Daddy Kane (w/ Roxanne Shanté & Black Sheep)

Big Daddy Kane is one of hip-hop’s most lyrical, diverse, innovative, trendsetting MCs. This baritone-voiced, stylish-dressing MC was the first rapper to ever hold not one but two sold-out shows at the world-famous Apollo Theater for women only. Referring to his rapid-fire, metaphoric battle rap style, Kane’s influences are Muhammad Ali, Marvin Gaye, and his rap hero Grand Master Caz of the Cold Crush Brothers, and you can clearly see the James Brown and the Famous Flames influences as well. With several gold albums, Kane has endured a long career giving us a catalog of music such as “Long Live The Kane” that features hit songs “Ain’t No Half Steppin’” and “Raw;” “It’s A Big Daddy Thing,” which features “Smooth Operator,” “Warm It Up,” and the Teddy Riley-produced hit “I Get The Job Done;” and “Taste Of Chocolate,” which features “Hard Being The Kane” and “All Of Me,” a duet with the late legendary Barry White.

As one of rap’s first female stars, Roxanne Shanté is considered an American hip-hop pioneer. Born and raised in the Queensbridge Projects in Queens, Shanté first gained attention through the Roxanne Wars and her association with the legendary Juice Crew. She released her first single at the age of 14 titled “Roxanne’s Revenge.” She was the first female rapper to have platinum singles and gold albums.

Black Sheep lyricist, artist, MC, there are so many words that can be used to define the creative force that is known as Andres “Dres” Titus. A talented hip-hop artist, Dres is known to many as one half of the iconic hip-hop group Black Sheep, a group that created one of the most notable songs of the hip-hop genre, “The Choice is Yours.”