Big Daddy Kane was easily one of Hip Hop’s brightest stars when his third album, Taste of Chocolate, hit record stores in October of 1990. Kane was known for boasting about his talent as a microphone checker, but as any Hip Hop head will tell you, Kane possessed a first-rate technique and rhyming skills to match his bravado.
L.L. Cool J, Slick Rick, and U.T.F.O. had all seen success with Hip Hop love songs. Kane had previously dabbled with that formula as he usually would have a slow cut on his albums. “The Day You’re Mine and “To Be Your Man” were strong album cuts from his first two projects. Both of these songs elevated his sex-symbol status. So it was no surprise when Dark Gable linked up with The Walrus of Love, aka Mr. Barry White, for Taste of Chocolate’s third single, “All Of Me.”
White’s signature bass opens the song before Kane adds his portion. The two give the song a mentor and mentee vibe as White gives Kane advice, and Kane uses his lyrics to set the mood. In contrast, the song is Kane’s second-highest peaking single on Billboard’s Hip Hop list. “All of Me” peaked at #14 in March 1991; it does feel a bit out of place on the project.
Perhaps “All Of Me” should have been put on a soundtrack or a Barry White album, as the other tracks feature some lyrical fire from Kane. Taste of Chocolate has songs with themes like crossing over, slavery, the drug epidemic & inner-city violence. Nevertheless, the song has aged well and is somewhat of a forgotten Hip Hop ballad.
Final Grade: B
“All Of Me” from Taste of Chocolate is available on all streaming platforms.
Songstress Ashanti was experiencing significant success with two platinum albums at the time of the release of her inaugural holiday project, “Ashanti’s Christmas,” on November 18, 2003. Her label head, Irv Gotti, produced most of the album. This project comprises four original songs co-written by Ashanti, in addition to six cover versions of traditional Christmas standards and carols.
Vocal quartet A Few Good Man contributed two songs to the project: a cover of “Silver Bells” and the ballad “Merry Christmas My Dear,” both of which were produced by Daryl Simmons. Demail Burks, David Morris, Aaron Hilliard, and Tony Amey were the members of the group, and after introducing themselves in the festive video for “Silver Bells,” it was only fitting that they delivered a ballad on the album.
R&B legend Luther Vandross had already solidified his place in R&B when he released his first holiday album, “This Is Christmas. Arriving in stores on October 24, 1995, “This Is Christmas” validates Vandross’s ability to sing anything.