Kano (British musician)
Kano | |
|---|---|
 Kano performing at Reading Festival in 2005 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | East Ham, London |
| Years active | 2001 - present |
| Website | [1] |
Kane Brett Robinson (born 21 May 1985 in East Ham, London), better known as Kano, is a British rapper. He is signed to 679 Recordings and is a stablemate of The Streets. He was also a key member in East London’s N.A.S.T.Y. Crew. However, since being signed to 679 recordings he has left N.A.S.T.Y Crew.
Biography
Early career
In his early teens Kano attended Langdon Comprehensive School in East Ham, where his mother still works. Kano was a promising footballer, representing Chelsea F.C. and Norwich City by the age of thirteen,[2] but in the end he abandoned his sporting ambitions in favour of a musical career.
His first track was "Boys love Girls". Kano first became known on the UK grime scene for his work with his original group, N.A.S.T.Y Crew. From this springboard he was signed as a solo artist and began work on his debut solo album.
Home Sweet Home
In 2004, Kano was approached by Hugo Boss to model for their Spring/Summer collection,[3] but declined due to recording and touring commitments. Shortly afterwards Kano released his debut solo single, "P's & Q's", as a 12" vinyl only release, which was a massive underground hit, marking Kano out as a rising star.
In 2005 Kano released his second single, "Typical Me", his first full single release. "Typical Me" went become a considerable hit, reaching #22 in the UK Singles Charts. It remains Kano's highest charting single to date. The third single, "Remember Me", fared less well in the charts, only reaching #71. Two weeks later, on June 27 2005, Kano's highly anticipated debut album Home Sweet Home was released. The week his album was released, it was the highest new entry, debuting inside the UK top 40 at #36. In September 2005, the fourth single "Nite Nite" was released, featuring Leo the Lion and The Streets. "Nite Nite" hit #25 in the UK charts, spending six weeks altogether on the top 75. Shortly after the release of "Nite Nite", a promotional video for "Reload It", which featured live performance clips and backstage footage, was released to UK video station, Channel U to promote the album further. In December 2005, Kano released a remixed version of album track "Nobody Don't Dance No More" featuring new artist Katie Pearl, as a download-only single. The track was also featured as a b-side on CD: 2 of "Nite Nite". On March 13 2006 Kano released the fifth and final single from the album, a double A-side of "Brown Eyes" and "Signs In Life". The single was released on a vinyl format only, and included a free sticker, which made it ineligible for chart inclusion.
Home Sweet Home was a great critical success, from across the British press, most notably The Independent and The Observer, two of the UK's major newspapers. Many artists in the UK and in America have expressed positive views of the album, including Busta Rhymes, Nas, RZA, Jay-Z, Andre 3000 and Chuck D of Public Enemy.
After Home Sweet Home
Towards the end of 2005, Kano released a mixtape, Beats & Bars, which is currently only available at his concerts. Kano has recently confirmed that he has begun work on his new album, which is earmarked for release in the summer of 2007. He has also recorded a freestyle produced by Mikey J, called "I Write Bars Till The Milkman Comes". He is going to be recording a few freestyles leading up to his new album.
Awards and trivia
In 2005, Kano was nominated for 4 MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards, winning the award for Best Newcomer. He also won an award at the first Channel U "Best of British" Awards. On New Years Eve 2005, Kano was announced as one of "London's Heroes of 2005" by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone. He was also nominated for a Brit Award for Best Urban Act in January 2006. Kano made a small cameo appearance in the new British film, Rolling With The Nines.[4]
- Kano is the cousin of Charlton Athletic footballer Jonathan Fortune.
- Kano has confirmed that he is a playable character in the upcoming Def Jam: Icon.
Discography
Albums and mixtapes
Singles
Physical Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | |||
| 2004 | "P's & Q's" | - [12" Vinyl Only] |
Home Sweet Home |
| 2005 | "Typical Me" | #22 | Home Sweet Home |
| 2005 | "Remember Me" | #71 | Home Sweet Home |
| 2005 | "Nite Nite" (Featuring Leo The Lion & The Streets) |
#25 | Home Sweet Home |
| 2006 | "Brown Eyes" / "Signs In Life" | NCQ [12" Vinyl Only] |
Home Sweet Home |
| 2006 | "Buss It Up" (Featuring Vybz Kartel) |
- [7" Vinyl Only] |
- "Brown Eyes" / "Signs In Life" was released on 12" vinyl only. The single is classified as an NCQ - "Non Chart Qualifier" as it included a free sticker. Due to UK chart rules, free stickers are not allowed to be included in UK single releases. This is why the single could not enter the charts on its release in March 2006.
Promo Only Singles
| Year | Title | Additional Information | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | "Reload It" | Video only single. | Home Sweet Home |
| 2005 | "Nobody Don't Dance No More [Remix]" (Featuring Katie Pearl) |
Download only single, B-Side to "Nite Nite". |
Home Sweet Home |
Guest appearances
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | |||
| 2005 | "Routine Check" (The Mitchell Brothers Featuring Kano & The Streets) |
#42 | A Breath Of Fresh Attire |