Independent newspaper review: Kano

My review for Kano at Indig02 last Tuesday, which is published in today's Independent newspaper Great gig but I have to say the O2 is soulless, horrible and a pain the ass to get back from.

Kano, IndigO2, London (Rated 3/ 5 )

Reviewed by Rahul Verma, Monday, 6 October 2008

It's been a hectic 12 months for Kane "Kano" Robinson: September 2007 saw the release of his sophomore LP London Town, featuring Kate Nash, Damon Albarn, Craig David and Vybez Kartel. Despite the high-profile guests, London Town disappointed both critically and popularly, and Kano's since parted ways with 679 Recordings – home to The Streets.

New LP 140 Grime Street is a return to Kano's grime roots with more than an hour of lyrical spikiness and 140bpm sonic turbulence – ironically it's come at a time when grime has evolved to incorporate electro, rave, rock, calypso and developed a fun, party feel.

From the moment he takes to the stage to a chaotic barrage of beats and bass, Kano's grime and proud – and judging by the rapturous reception – the audience is ecstatic.

Kano launches into current single "Hustler", applying drug dealing metaphors to making music, sings and raps, offers the mic to the audience to finish the chorus "F**k the po po [police]". Up-and-coming MC Ghetto, all nervous energy and sociopathic lyrics, appears for "Hunting We Will Go". Skepta takes to the stage in a boxing gown for "These MCs", and in typical grime rave-cum-pirate radio style, the duo rip their rivals in rhyme to shreds.

"Don't Come Around Here", set to a visual backdrop of gun and knife-crime newspaper headlines, brings a poignant moment as Kano urges community action and delivers a thrilling freestyle highlighting the chronic lack of investment in East London until the Olympics.

Wiley and Kano's "Hunting We Will Go" is a reminder how far this relatively young music has come and how rapidly it's evolving. To half of the Teen audience – it's a way of life.

Only two tracks from London Town feature tonight – the hypnotic techno of "Bad Boy", and the pop R&B hit "Girl That I Want", which went some way to restoring Craig David's credibility. The Mike Skinner-produced love lullaby "Nite Nite" precedes the early Noughties grime anthem "Boys Love Girls".

Wiley reappears for "Wearing My Rolex" and is joined by Skepta for "Rolex Sweep", before JME, Tinchy Stryder and Ghetto invade the stage.

Kano closes with the grinding rock of Paul Epworth-produced "Typical Me", and encores with his biggest track, "Ps & Qs" from his 2005 debut album Home Sweet Home. It's a triumphant climax but telling that Kano's oldest tracks draw the biggest response.
Rahul Verma


Here is the review in its original glory