Jay-Z owes nearly his entire swag to Big Daddy Kane -- one of rap's pioneers, two years his senior, who literally lived in the same Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood.

In 1988, Kane dropped his smash single, 'Ain't No Half Steppin',' and instantly became known as one of hip-hop's smoothest and fastest wordsmiths ever.

Kane rocked the silk suit onstage and hit all the steps with his dancers, wooing the girls and still being able to maintain 'G' status with the guys in the crowd. Big Daddy Kane actually brought Jay out on tour with him during the first few years of his career and if you can catch early concert footage, Hov can be seen mimicking that same flow Kane had. The man who many say is one of hip-hop's greatest was inspired by one of hip-hop's first superstars.

Watch Big Daddy Kane's 'Ain't No Half Steppin'' Video

More From TheDrop.fm