Kano

London-born Kano entered the UK grime scene in a frenzy of excitement with his first mainstream single, in 2005 ‘Boys Love Girls’, which was produced by Dizzee Rascal. A grime MC, his vocal talents were notable from the off. The 25 year old, who was born Kane Brett Robinson, used to work under the pseudonym Flava FM. Soon N.A.S.T.Y. Crew (Natural Artistic Sounds Touching You) took him under their wing, and his renown grew accordingly. It was from his involvement with Nasty Crew that Kano became known in his own right – his 2004 single ‘P’s and Q’s’ was released on vinyl only, and on the underground scene it went down as well as chocolate muffins at Brownie Camp.

After diverting slightly into realms closer to American hip-hop, Kano has vowed to return to his ‘grimier roots’ – to create some kind of bona fide grime – the grimiest Uber-Grime, if you will. In 2008, he released the album entitled ‘140 Grime Street’, as if to leave his fans in no doubt of its direction. It was indeed, a one-stop, no return ticket to the magical haven of Grimesville. It was a huge success, his devotees were anything but disenchanted.

Kano has been at the centre of polemical political disputes and jousting journos, but always kept his head and spoken his mind in a concise and compelling way. Right-leaning journalists have tried to condemn and misrepresent the artist as a nothing but a ‘foul-mouthed rapper’. These comments were quickly contested, not only by Kano and his aficionados, but also by more the judicious players in the media game. The Guardian gave him a plinth from which to examine the preceding lazy journalism, and furthermore, negate it with his natty assertions. “I’m using my voice to do something positive for my community” – a claim that is easily verified by his work to help promote the government diploma scheme. Indeed his tune ‘One More Way’ was written specifically to support the proposals. His critics were soon silenced, and rightly so – his music is lyrically astute, his skill on the microphone second to none. This is grime that is not simply about young men having something to prove, this is visceral, instinctive talent taking its rightful place at the front of the stage.

The end of August 2010 sees the release of the album entitled ‘Method to the Maadness’ which features contributions from various eminent artists – Wiley, Hot Chip, Chase & Status and Damon Albarn to name but a few. It promises to be a vital record with its clattering beats, and menacing rhymes - something perhaps, to rekindle the relationship between him and those embittered fans who have criticised him for turning his back on his roots. The grime quality control agents will let this record through their looming gates with five stars and a pat on the back.

Kano has no time for fuddy-duddy disapproval, and neither do we. Come and see this arcane, vibrant and politically savvy performer at Manchester Club Academy on Tuesday 28th September. Just think: Chocolate muffins at Brownie Camp. You’ll eat it up.