Kano Brings The Grime To Music Box
At a mere 19 years of age, Kane ‘Kano’ Robinson is set for Dizzee Rascal-size levels of crossover success. From the same East London ‘grime’ scene that spawned Wiley, Durrty Goodz and Shystie among others, Kano has the star quality, character and pedigree to take his witty, insightful street polemics overground. After signing to 679 records, single ‘Typical Me’’s tale of over-aggressive nightclub bouncers set over a rocking self-produced backing track catapulted Kano into the top 25 of the UK charts.
An original member of the N.A.S.T.Y. crew, his talent first came to the fore with the release of ‘Boys Love Girls’, made when Kano was just 16. Kano’s vocal talents over the frenetic rhythm and nervy melody struck a chord with underground garage DJs and clubbers alike, making the track an underground smash which Kano still calls his signature tune. The next three years followed with Kano developing his style on mix tapes and guest spots and club and rave gigs and scooping the Best Newcomer award at the 2004 British Urban Music Award. At the start of this year he was placed third in the BBC’s industry poll for Sound Of 2005; to illustrate the poll’s influence, 2004’s tips were Keane, Franz Ferdinand and Scissor Sisters.
As engaging in person as he is on record, Kano’s tastes were informed less by hip-hop and more by the Jamaican music introduced through his family roots. Seeing the likes of Vibes Kartel and Elephant Man live gave him a perspective on performance and lyricism he’s taken on in his inimitable way. Tracks like ‘How We Livin’ and ‘Ps & Qs’ bring a level of depth and insight rarely heard in garage music. In a genre where getting the crowd going is usually the main objective, it’s refreshing to see an artist who goes for the head as well as the feet.
‘Imbued with the confidence only impending stardom can bring’ – NME
‘Kano is the voice of the next generation’ – Dazed & Confused
‘The one to take grime to the masses’ – Q
Maxar Artist and Events Presents…
KANO link
DJ CAMEO
RAW T
Sout' East
Footsie and Die
Virus Syndicate
Monday May 2nd 2005 @ Music Box, Manchester. Tickets £12.50+BF, Doors 10.00pm.