Float
Big Daddy Kane Lyrics


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Manslaughter, walkin on water

I stay afloat with a note, the way a boat oughta

I'm too poetically inclined, one of a kind

True and divine the genuine, breakin a bond and gettin mine
So freeze, I'm makin it flow with ease

And droppin the funkiest lyrics that ever been known to MC's

Cause I can recite it fast, or even rap slow

Huh, man I can just talk and my shit'll flow

Because I mastered the rhythms of winnin lyric

Hit em, just the flow itself'll tell you that I did em

So let the K-to-the-A-to-the-N-to-the-E

Show you the meaning of real harmony, as I float



Float.. float on

Float on.. float on.. (repeat 2X)



Peep this

I'm always on the down-low, smooth and mild

But when it's time to get wild, huh, you know my style

I drop lyrics wham bam by the gram on a jam

And gooooooood DAMN!

It's like a disaster that nobody goes after

Rappers turn ghost like Casper

Cause battlin me, you'd only meet your fate

You'd probably come out better tryin to fight in Kuwait

To be smart, would be not to start

Not even The Wiz can give you that much heart

Rap is like an art.. and man you know

That kind of makes me like Michaelangelo

Not to sound conceited, or either to boast with what I said

Cause I'm too modest to ever lose my level head

But if I ever got bold and said I'm higher

I can give more reasons than Earth, Wind & Fire

Many follow in the footsteps, tryin to get a rep

Of a lover and a smooth black brother

But I'm knockin imitators out the box

Because you couldn't copy Kane if your name was Xerox

I'm like the God in light, some of my writing might

Be too much for your mind to explode like dynamite

And if it sounds good to you then get on it doggone it

Capture this like a Kodak moment as I float



Float.. float on

Float on.. float on.. (repeat 2X)



In this third verse, I'll make it sure mental

See the way that you serve rap's like a death penalty

So back up off me, ain't nobody stoppin Kane

I'm shittin on rappers like I never been potty trained

That means defeatin deletin and beatin

While all the tenderonis I'll be meatin and greatin and treatin

And welcome to a new Terrordome

When I come to roam, you know Daddy's Home

Rhymes come at you full powered with might

They call in the SWAT team when I start to write

And declared my lyrics illegal weapons in every state

So I can get five to ten for carryin a Papermate

Just a little bitty taste of this'll burn so bad

You'll want to call me the Big Daddy Inferno

So don't even think about a battle, I sail without a paddle

In other words, I FLOAT



Float.. float on





Float on.. float on.. (repeat 2X)

Overall Meaning

The song "Float" by Big Daddy Kane expresses his confidence and skill as an MC. In the first verse, he compares his ability to stay afloat to that of a boat, using a clever play on words. He declares himself to be one of a kind and true and divine, with masterful rhythm and flow. He boasts of being able to recite and rap fast or slow, and even just talk and effortlessly make his rhymes flow. In the chorus, he repeats the phrase "float on" to emphasize his mastery of the art of rapping.


In the second verse, Kane describes himself as always being cool and smooth until it's time to turn up the energy and let loose with his rhymes. He drops lyrics so fast and fierce that it's like a disaster that nobody goes after, causing other rappers to turn into ghosts like Casper. Battling him would be a hopeless endeavor, with Kane warning that it would be easier to fight in Kuwait. He likens his work to that of Michaelangelo, and knocks imitators out of the box, emphasizing that his style is so unique that it can't be copied.


In the final verse, Kane declares himself unstoppable and unstoppable, likening his rhymes to "illegal weapons in every state," and saying that he could get prison time for carrying a Papermate pen. He ends by stating that he "floats" above all other rappers, without ever needing a paddle to steer his way.


Overall, "Float" is a classic song that showcases Big Daddy Kane's incredible rhyming skills and confident persona, making it a standout track in the history of hip-hop music.


Line by Line Meaning

Manslaughter, walkin on water
I'm so skilled and confident in my abilities as an MC, it's as if I'm performing miracles and defying gravity like Jesus walking on water


I stay afloat with a note, the way a boat oughta
I stay successful in the rap game by sticking to my artistic vision and delivering rhymes that are solid and reliable like a well-crafted boat


I'm too poetically inclined, one of a kind
My talent for writing and performing rap lyrics sets me apart from other MCs and makes me truly unique in the hip-hop community


True and divine the genuine, breakin a bond and gettin mine
My rhymes reflect my authentic self and my experiences, and I won't let anyone or anything stand in the way of my success and fulfillment as an artist


So freeze, I'm makin it flow with ease
My rhymes come naturally and effortlessly to me, and I'm confident in my ability to captivate listeners with my flowing delivery


And droppin the funkiest lyrics that ever been known to MC's
My rhymes are unmatched in their funkiness and groove, and they set a high bar for other MCs to follow


Cause I can recite it fast, or even rap slow
My rhymes are so versatile and adaptable, I can deliver them at any speed or style and still make them sound great


Huh, man I can just talk and my shit'll flow
I'm so gifted and in tune with my creative instincts, I could make rhymes come out of thin air just by talking


Because I mastered the rhythms of winnin lyric
My years of experience and hard work have honed my skills and made me an expert in crafting rhymes that always come out on top


Hit em, just the flow itself'll tell you that I did em
My rhymes are so effortlessly dope, even the rhythm and cadence alone make it clear that I've dominated any competition


So let the K-to-the-A-to-the-N-to-the-E
I'm the MC known as Kane, and I'm about to show you what real rap skill and artistry look like


Show you the meaning of real harmony, as I float
As I deliver my rhymes with grace and ease, I'll demonstrate what true harmony between art and artist sounds like


I'm always on the down-low, smooth and mild
I'm not one to brag or seek out unnecessary attention, but I'm always cool, calm, and collected in my approach to rap and life in general


But when it's time to get wild, huh, you know my style
I excel in both the laid-back, chill aspects of hip-hop as well as the more hype and energetic parts, no matter what the occasion calls for


I drop lyrics wham bam by the gram on a jam
When I'm on the mic in a live setting, I'm always dropping dope rhymes and verses that hit hard and leave an impression on the audience


And gooooooood DAMN!
My rhymes are so incredible and awe-inspiring, they leave listeners astounded and speechless


It's like a disaster that nobody goes after
My live performances feel like a force of nature or a calamity that no other rapper would dare to follow or try to compete with


Rappers turn ghost like Casper
Other MCs disappear or fade into obscurity like ghosts in the face of my prowess and success in the rap game


Cause battlin me, you'd only meet your fate
Any rapper foolish enough to try and take me on in a battle would be setting themselves up for a humiliating and crushing defeat


You'd probably come out better tryin to fight in Kuwait
A rapper trying to battle me would have a greater chance of survival fighting in a war-torn country like Kuwait than facing me and my rhymes head-on


To be smart, would be not to start
Any rapper with common sense and a healthy regard for their own wellbeing would know better than to challenge me in a battle or try to compete with my skills and style


Not even The Wiz can give you that much heart
Even the bravest, most confident person or character in the world, like the titular character from The Wiz, would likely be intimidated by me and my rhymes


Rap is like an art.. and man you know
I approach rap as a form of artistic expression, and my rhymes are my canvas and palette to create with


That kind of makes me like Michaelangelo
My artistic genius and command of the form of rap draws a parallel to the legendary artist Michelangelo and his mastery of sculpture and painting


Not to sound conceited, or either to boast with what I said
Despite my immense talent and success, I don't want to come across as arrogant or egotistical


Cause I'm too modest to ever lose my level head
I stay humble and grounded despite my success and never let it go to my head


But if I ever got bold and said I'm higher
If I ever did let my ego get the better of me and claim to be the greatest MC of all time, for example,


I can give more reasons than Earth, Wind & Fire
I could back up my claim with countless reasons and examples, from my rhymes to my impact on the rap world, much like the funk band Earth, Wind & Fire could explain their own musical greatness


Many follow in the footsteps, tryin to get a rep
Many MCs try to emulate my success and follow in my footsteps, hoping to gain a reputation and fanbase like mine


Of a lover and a smooth black brother
Many MCs try to cultivate an image and persona like mine, as a smooth-talking and charming black man who exudes charisma and style


But I'm knockin imitators out the box
Despite the many imitators and copycats who try to replicate my success, I remain at the top of my game and continue to surpass them in skill and ability


Because you couldn't copy Kane if your name was Xerox
My talent and unique style are impossible to imitate, no matter how hard someone tries, much like how a Xerox copy can never be an exact replica of an original document


I'm like the God in light, some of my writing might
My skills and artistic ability are godly and divine, and my writing is often profound and illuminating like a beacon of light


Be too much for your mind to explode like dynamite
My rhymes and lyrics are so powerful and thought-provoking, they could overwhelm and astonish even the most jaded listener


And if it sounds good to you then get on it doggone it
If my rhymes and flow appeal to you and move you, then don't hesitate to embrace them and enjoy them to the fullest


Capture this like a Kodak moment as I float
My performance and rhymes are so memorable and powerful, they are like a snapshot that captures a moment in time and are worth preserving in your memory


In this third verse, I'll make it sure mental
I'll use this final verse to really drive home my point and make a lasting impression on listeners


See the way that you serve rap's like a death penalty
The way many MCs approach rap is like committing a crime deserving of the most severe punishment, and they suffer due to their lack of skill and authenticity


So back up off me, ain't nobody stoppin Kane
Don't even try to come for me or compete with my skill and ability, because you'll have no chance of success against me in the rap game


I'm shittin on rappers like I never been potty trained
My rhymes and talent are so far superior to other MCs, it's like they're still in diapers and haven't even learned to use the bathroom yet


That means defeatin deletin and beatin
I'm capable of defeating and destroying any MC who dares to challenge me and my throne


While all the tenderonis I'll be meatin and greatin and treatin
While I'm crushing my opponents and dominating the rap game, I'll also be flirting and charming my female fans and admirers


And welcome to a new Terrordome
I'm ushering in a new era and wave of hip-hop that emphasizes raw skill, talent, and artistry, and my rhymes and performances are the standard to aspire to and emulate


When I come to roam, you know Daddy's Home
When I step onto the stage or microphone, there's no mistaking the fact that I'm the king of the rap game and the one in charge


Rhymes come at you full powered with might
When I unleash my rhymes and flow, they come at you with maximum force and energy, leaving no room for interpretation or doubt


They call in the SWAT team when I start to write
Even law enforcement can't handle the sheer firepower and impact of my rhymes and lyrics, and they'd need a special team of trained professionals to contain me


And declared my lyrics illegal weapons in every state
My rhymes are so explosive and influential, they've been deemed too dangerous and powerful to handle by the powers that be, and have been banned and restricted in all 50 states


So I can get five to ten for carryin a Papermate
Even something as innocuous and commonplace as a pen can be seen as a deadly weapon in my hands, and I risk getting arrested and sentenced to prison for even possessing one


Just a little bitty taste of this'll burn so bad
Even just a small sample or snippet of my rhymes or flow can produce a powerful and overwhelming sensation of awe and admiration in listeners that may be too intense for them to handle


You'll want to call me the Big Daddy Inferno
My rhymes and abilities are so hot and explosive, they're like a raging inferno or a force of nature that leaves a lasting impression on anyone who experiences them


So don't even think about a battle, I sail without a paddle
Any rapper who tries to challenge me or take me on in a rap battle will be left floating without direction or hope, as I easily outmatch and outclass them with no need for extra help or support


In other words, I FLOAT
I'm completely in control and dominant in the rap game, and I can easily adapt and thrive to any situation or challenge that comes my way




Lyrics © CAK MUSIC PUBLISHING, INC
Written by: A. HARDY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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