When the casual fan thinks of the success that Roc-A-Fella Records experienced in the late 90’s and 00’s, they tend to think about the dynamic duo of Jay-Z and Dame Dash. But the truth was part of label’s success was Kareem “Biggs” Burke.
Always one to play the background, the Harlem World citizen has finally decided to step out the shadows and joined OG Hip-Hop journalist Elliott Wilson and Brian “B. Dot Miller” on their street acclaimed Rap Radar podcast. Biggs spoke on his latest Ecuadorian inspired clothing line venture, Fourth Of November, how he was the engine behind Kanye West’s debut classic, College Dropout, and the moment Jay-Z made him a believer in his greatness.
Check out 11 things we learned from Kareem “Biggs” Burke on the Rap Radar podcast on the following pages.
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Photo: Instagram/@_dvasquez
1. Roc-A-Fella
While he was the third leg of the Roc-A-Fella tripod, Biggs was the last to join the team as Dame Dash and Jay-Z came to him with the idea of becoming a Big Three.
2. Jay-Z
In the beginning of their relationship, Biggs couldn’t really relate to what Jay was saying, but was made a believer during the famous battle between Jay-Z and DMX.
3. Big L
Biggs Harlem brethren Big L had the footage of the Jay-Z and DMX battle.
3. Dead Presidents
Dead Presidents originally had Ma$e on it but Biggs didn’t like how he sounded on the track. The rest is history.
4. Monopoly
At the “Dead Presidents” video shoot they had $250,00 of real cash on the table in the classic scene where everyone was playing Monopoly. Biggie was shocked they had that kind of dough without having ever released a record.
Photo: Hip-Hop Wired
5. DJ Premier
DJ Premier told Biggs he was doing three songs for $9,000. Talk about a steal.
photo: WENN
6. Biggie Bars
When Biggie came into the studio with Jay, he didn’t know what bars were and it took him 3 sessions before he finished “Brooklyn’s Finest.” It took Jay Z a day.
7. Streets Is Watchin’
Dame Dash decided to do the Streets Is Watching flick to get the streets back on board with Roc-A-Fella Records because of the fallout that the Foxy Brown featured “Sunshine” cut had caused. Guess Foxy isn’t new to alienating the streets.
photo: WENN.com
8. Cam’ron
Cam’ron came to Dame with a full project and the idea of signing to Roc-A-Fella Records.
9. Kanye West
Lyor Cohen wanted Roc-A-Fella to drop Kanye West and Young Guns from the label because he didn’t believe in him.
10. Noreaga
Biggs gave Noreaga his Roc-A-Fella chain when they were going to sign him to the label, but the deal never happened and the chain was never seen again.
photo: WENN
11. Nas
During the Jay-Z and Nas beef, Biggs wanted Jay to make a diss record over “The Bridge Is Over” beat but he had already recorded “Super Ugly.” That would’ve been Peter Jackson epic.
