‘Ode to hip hop’: Big Daddy Kane joins UTA’s celebration of the genre’s 50th anniversary

Generational differences should bond hip hop artists – and fans – as they celebrate the genre’s 50-year history, artist Big Daddy Kane told an Arlington crowd on Wednesday. While many old-school fans disregard newer work as “not real hip hop,” Kane said music is constantly evolving. They should be respectful of the work as the new generations should be of the past, he added. Advertisement Kane, known for his lyric work, delivered a keynote address on how hip hop has changed throughout his lifetime – from learning music from his elders growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y., to now connecting with younger generations through the work of artists like J. Cole. Advertisement “The importance of that generation bonding is that you get to learn and understand diversity,” Kane said. “If you want to become a musician, if you want to become a singer, a rapper, a producer, you have to understand different generations.” The Education Lab Receive our in-depth coverage of education issues and stories that affect North Texans. Big Daddy Kane, a rapper who has also worked with Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige and Destiny’s Child, was received with a standing ovation at the University of Texas at Arlington, when over...