Big Daddy Kane

Birth Name: Antonio Monterio Hardy

Place of Birth: New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: September 10, 1968

Ethnicity: African-American, small amount of English, distant Scottish, Cornish, Irish, and Welsh

Big Daddy Kane is an American rapper and actor. He is considered one of the most influential rappers of all-time. As an actor, he co-starred in the films Posse (1993), The Meteor Man, and Exposed (2014), and appeared on a gothic painting in the film Scary Movie 2. He has also been credited as B.D.K., Dark Gable, King Asiatic Nobody’s Equal, Blackanova, and Count Macula. Big Daddy Kane was a member of hip hop collective Juice Crew. Biz Markie was also a member of the group.

Big Daddy Kane is the son of Ruth Hardy and Franklin/Clay Bradley, who were born in South Carolina. All of his African-American ancestors’ lines can be traced back to the 1800s in the state. His younger brother is rapper Little Daddy Shane. Big Daddy Kane is married to Shawnette Hardy, with whom he has two children.

Pictures of Big Daddy Kane’s mother can be seen here.

Big Daddy Kane’s paternal grandfather was Thomas Bradley (the son of Jake Bradley and Martha Gavins/Gavin). Thomas was born in South Carolina.

Big Daddy Kane’s paternal grandmother was Clara Louise Sweat (the daughter of Leland Sweat and Carrie Devine). Clara was born in South Carolina. Leland was the son of Charles Sweat and Anna Avinger.

Big Daddy Kane’s maternal grandfather was named Willie Hardy. Willie was born in South Carolina.

Big Daddy Kane’s maternal grandmother was Hattie Bell Johnson (the daughter of Columbus Johnson and Mariah Wright). Hattie was born in South Carolina. Columbus was the son of John W.H. Johnson, an African-American, and Mary Jane McClendon, a white woman of Scottish, English, Cornish, Irish, and Welsh descent. They were married in the 1800s in South Carolina, while interracial marriage was legal in the state during Reconstruction. Most of Big Daddy Kane’s ancestors through the McClendon line descend from English settlers in Colonial America. His ninth great-grandparents, Dennis McClendon and Elizabeth, emigrated from Scotland to Colonial North Carolina. Dennis’ mother, Marjorie Hunt, was Irish. Big Daddy Kane’s tenth great-grandfather, Thomas Gwaltney, emigrated from Wales to Colonial Virginia. His eleventh great-grandfather, William Early, emigrated from Ireland to Colonial Virginia. He was of English and Cornish descent.

Big Daddy Kane’s great-grandmother Mariah Wright was the daughter of David Wright and Frances Harvin.

Sources: Genealogy of Big Daddy Kane’s father – https://www.familysearch.org

Genealogy of Big Daddy Kane’s mother – https://www.familysearch.org

Big Daddy Kane’s maternal great-great-grandmother, Mary Jane McClendon, on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org