The Doctor’s Orders & Stacked present
CREDIT CRUNCH
WithDJ CASH MONEY Spin Doctor D.Bo & GETO
9pm-3am Saturday
8th November 2008
@ The Elbow Room, 89-91 Chapel Market, London N1 (Angel Tube)
ONLY @ £2 all night!
Worried about the credit crunch? Trying to figure out how you can go out and large it without breaking the bank?
Well The Doctor's Orders have teamed up with Stacked to bring you Philadeliphia native DJ CASH MONEY "The World's Greatest DJ" for only £2 all night. The last time he played in London tickets were £15 so this is an opportunity not to be missed!
The man who was banned from competing in the DMC's for being just too damn good has been packing clubs across the globe for the last 20 years and never fails to raise the roof. Combining phenomenal technical expertise with rocking track selection there is no doubt that London’s Hip-Hop community will be turning out in force to see and hear this living legend doing his thing,
For one night only you get the chance to hear him alongside London's finest Spin Doctor & Stacked residents D.Bo & GETO for a night of the finest Hip-Hop, R&B & Bashment for only £2!!!!
Stacked runs a FREE policy every Saturday night (except this) & features London’s best DJs plying the best Hip-Hop, R&B & Bashment.
Posted by Anna Nathanson
Monday, 27 October 2008
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
On The Real moves to Saturdays
The Doctor's Orders present
On The Real
Bringing you true school Hip-Hop & Soul from Prince & Premier to Motown & Mos Def
10pm-4am
Saturday 22nd November 2008
& 3rd Saturday of Every Month
@ Bar Rumba, 36 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1 (Picadilly Tube)
£5 in advance through Ticketweb.co.uk or £10 on the door
Special Guest JAZZIE B (Soul II Soul)
With Resident DJsShortee Blitz (Kiss FM / Extended Players)
DJ MK (Kiss FM / Roots Manuva)
Spin Doctor (The Doctor's Orders)
After 4 months of rocking the West End on a Friday night On The Real is moving to a Saturday to provide London with the rare opportunity to enjoy a underground Hip-Hop / Soul night on a Saturday.
If there is one thing that the On The Real crowd loves it is getting down to any night of the week is the very best in soulful party sounds whether that be Hip-Hop, Soul, Disco or any other genre that our incredible guests and residents choose to drop on them.
When it comes to dropping soulful dance dancefloor friendly sounds there is none better than the original funki dread Jazzie B. Jazzie B has done more than anyone in the UK to help the popularity of Soul music. The fact that he was bestowed with an OBE shows that even the queen has been listening. As the holder of 2 Grammys, an Ivan Novello award & the keys to no less than seven American cities his popularity clearly goes beyond Buckingham Palace. Jazzie’s undiluted love and knowledge of music started and still exists primarily through his time spent DJing. Whether at his legendary Soul II Soul Sunday nights @ The Africa Centre or exclusive parties for Gorgio Armani, on his BBC London radio show or on the beach in Antigua one thing is certain when Jazzie B is on the decks; you are gonna be on that dance-floor dancing and smiling as he drops the finest base heavy grooves known to man. With 8.6 million album sales worldwide it is fair to say he understands what people want!
Shortee Blitz is a shining light of the Hip-Hop scene in the UK. Whether supporting traveling US stars, holding it down on one of his two weekly Kiss FM shows or tearing the roof off clubs all over the globe one thing is for certain and that is that this MOBO award winning DJ is always going to be spinning with a smile on his face. Even more so now he is a resident at for a night dedicated to the Hip-Hop & Soul styles he truly loves.
DJ MK first came to prominence through his now infamous mid 90's mixtapes that are still the prize possessions of those wise enough to keep their tape decks well oiled. They now represent the blueprint for the sounds that MK will be spinning at this new night. When away from his day jobs as Roots Manuva's DJ & as Kiss FM's Thursday night Hip-Hop DJ extraordinaire he will be found doing what he does best, rocking crowds with the sounds of his beloved Hip-Hop.
Spin Doctor is the driving force behind the phenomenal success of The Doctor's Orders and while not planning domination of the UK's party scene is most at ease behind a set of decks. The early influence of his 5 older brothers and sisters record collections developed into an obsession with soul tinged music of all styles which he uses to this day when treating dance-floors to his fearless sets of party platters.
On The Real is promoted in association with King Apparel
Posted by Anna Nathanson
On The Real
Bringing you true school Hip-Hop & Soul from Prince & Premier to Motown & Mos Def
10pm-4am
Saturday 22nd November 2008
& 3rd Saturday of Every Month
@ Bar Rumba, 36 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1 (Picadilly Tube)
£5 in advance through Ticketweb.co.uk or £10 on the door
Special Guest JAZZIE B (Soul II Soul)
With Resident DJsShortee Blitz (Kiss FM / Extended Players)
DJ MK (Kiss FM / Roots Manuva)
Spin Doctor (The Doctor's Orders)
After 4 months of rocking the West End on a Friday night On The Real is moving to a Saturday to provide London with the rare opportunity to enjoy a underground Hip-Hop / Soul night on a Saturday.
If there is one thing that the On The Real crowd loves it is getting down to any night of the week is the very best in soulful party sounds whether that be Hip-Hop, Soul, Disco or any other genre that our incredible guests and residents choose to drop on them.
When it comes to dropping soulful dance dancefloor friendly sounds there is none better than the original funki dread Jazzie B. Jazzie B has done more than anyone in the UK to help the popularity of Soul music. The fact that he was bestowed with an OBE shows that even the queen has been listening. As the holder of 2 Grammys, an Ivan Novello award & the keys to no less than seven American cities his popularity clearly goes beyond Buckingham Palace. Jazzie’s undiluted love and knowledge of music started and still exists primarily through his time spent DJing. Whether at his legendary Soul II Soul Sunday nights @ The Africa Centre or exclusive parties for Gorgio Armani, on his BBC London radio show or on the beach in Antigua one thing is certain when Jazzie B is on the decks; you are gonna be on that dance-floor dancing and smiling as he drops the finest base heavy grooves known to man. With 8.6 million album sales worldwide it is fair to say he understands what people want!
Shortee Blitz is a shining light of the Hip-Hop scene in the UK. Whether supporting traveling US stars, holding it down on one of his two weekly Kiss FM shows or tearing the roof off clubs all over the globe one thing is for certain and that is that this MOBO award winning DJ is always going to be spinning with a smile on his face. Even more so now he is a resident at for a night dedicated to the Hip-Hop & Soul styles he truly loves.
DJ MK first came to prominence through his now infamous mid 90's mixtapes that are still the prize possessions of those wise enough to keep their tape decks well oiled. They now represent the blueprint for the sounds that MK will be spinning at this new night. When away from his day jobs as Roots Manuva's DJ & as Kiss FM's Thursday night Hip-Hop DJ extraordinaire he will be found doing what he does best, rocking crowds with the sounds of his beloved Hip-Hop.
Spin Doctor is the driving force behind the phenomenal success of The Doctor's Orders and while not planning domination of the UK's party scene is most at ease behind a set of decks. The early influence of his 5 older brothers and sisters record collections developed into an obsession with soul tinged music of all styles which he uses to this day when treating dance-floors to his fearless sets of party platters.
On The Real is promoted in association with King Apparel
Posted by Anna Nathanson
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli DVD becomes first signing of new RSK Entertainment imprint, CPCo. Records
RSK Entertainment Ltd has signed an exclusive all-platforms licensing agreement with Fortress DVD for the new Talib Kweli DVD, ‘Live at the Shrine’, to be the first release on the company’s new imprint, CPco. and due out on 3rd November.
“We are very excited about Talib,” says RSK Joint Managing Director, Simon Carver. “We have taken our time during the development of RSK from Koch UK in pursuing our own label and we feel very fortunate to be able to begin with such a talented and respected artist. As Koch we developed a strong urban identity, but having sat back in that area for while we felt it was a good time to reappraise and return to what is a vibrant and constantly developing area of music. Going back to the urban and hip-hop world with our own label at once echoes our past while bringing a renewed vibrancy to the company. Going forward we will pursue more licensing opportunities from the US, complemented by a roster of domestic artists.”
Talib Kweli first came to prominence as a member of the highly influential hip-hop duo Black Star, rapping alongside Mos Def. After a subsequent collaboration with DJ Hi-Tek he has pursued a highly successful solo career, which has arguably established him as one of the most critically acclaimed rappers of all time. Kweli has released records on various labels including Rawkus, Koch and latterly Warner. ‘Live at the Shrine’ is the star’s first ever DVD release and features special appearances by KRS-One, Strong Arm Steady and Res.
Posted by Anna Nathanson
DJ Vadim's Cancer Research Fundraiser
The Doctor’s Orders
DJ Vadim Cancer Research Fund Raiser
9pm-3am Friday 7th November 2008
@ Herbal 10-14 Kingsland Rd, London E1
With
Spin Doctor
Killa Kela (TBC)
Foreign Beggars (TBC)
Yungun & Mr Thing
Ross Allen
Verb T, Jack Flash, Livin’ Proof Crew, Chris Read, Kyri R2, Acyde,
Kattie Skillz, Khy, & more TBC
£5 in advance £7 on the door
Advance tickets available from ticketweb.co.uk / 0844-477-100
------------------------------
When we heard the news that one of our November guest’s, DJ Vadim, had been diagnosed and treated for a rare form of eye cancer (Ocular Melanoma) we decided there was only one thing for it and that was to get his permission to throw one of our usual off the hook parties with an incredible line up in his honor and give all the profits to Cancer Research UK.
So that is exactly what we are going to do.
You may have been wondering where the usually prompt press release was for the night and now you know why we have been a little delayed. Have had an amazing response from our call to arms from all our previous guests and friends of The Doctor's Orders we are still confirming the line up and will have more news for you in due course but thought we should at least let you the good people of the music press know where we were at so you could help us start spreading the word on what is sure to be a brilliant event for a worthy cause!
CanerResearchUK.org
Posted by Anna Nathanson
Tah Mac
This year come and witness the return of the most explosive artists in modern day entertainment. The multi talented, Brooklyn based producer and singer Tah Mac, has stepped off his home turf in the USA to give the UK some of the freshest, most talked about tunes this side of the Atlantic.
Time of My Life is the debut single taken from the much anticipated album, Welcome 2 Tahland and in 2008 it looks set to sizzle! Time... an uplifting, feel good party track, also lays down the ground work for Tah’s inevitable invasion of the UK charts. Tah Mac’s latest full length effort features a veritable ‘A List’ of old school talent and rising stars. No stranger to quality and style, the man from NYC has secured the likes Mutya Buena, C.A.S.H (Ceelo Green from Gnarls Barkley) to give the album a knockout punch.
With a decade of experience under his belt, Tah knows how to create the very best music with top quality artistes. Not one to be pigeon holed, Tah has worked with diverse array of artists from Erick Sermon, Javine, Ciara, Onyx, Leona Lewis, Redman and Aretha Franklin to The Charlatans. Often describing his music as a ‘global sound’, Tah has finally crafted a sound that is uniquely his own.
So watch out for Tah Mac as he brings his spectacular live show and killer bag of tunes over to the UK this year!
Time of My Life will be released in the UK on 10th November 2008.
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Grandmaster Flash
Grandmaster Flash will be coming to the UK to host and DJ at the Alizé Remixed party on the 25th October 2008 at Paper night club in London.
Alizé remixed 2008 was a nationwide competition and UK club tour in search of the freshest DJ talent within the UK. The winners from across five regions each received £1000 cash and got the opportunity to hit the turntables alongside a legendary DJ legend including Jazzy Jeff and Tim Westwood!
The grand finale ends on 25th October 2008 at Paper nightclub with the ultimate legend Grandmaster Flash!
Grandmaster Flash who has featured on songs such as Chaka Khan’s “I Feel For You” and Blondie’s “Rapture” is an icon in hip hop and pop history!
With his group, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Flash was the first hip hop artist ever to enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And on his own, Flash is the only hip hop DJ ever inducted.
But what Flash is famed for is being the grand showmaster of DJs. Techniques he invented back in the day are still being imitated today - cutting, mixing, scratching, spinning, juggling with his elbows, fingers and toes… Grandmaster Flash is the King! He’s even DJ’d for our very own Queen! The tour will start all over again in Jan 2009 and Jazzy Jeff and Grandmaster Flash will be joining us to do it all over again!
Date: Saturday 25th October
Venue: Paper, 68 Regent Street (nearest Tube Piccadilly Circus)
Price: £20
Age: Over 21
Time: 9:00pm – 3:00am
www.alizeremixed.com
Posted by Anna Nathanson
Alizé remixed 2008 was a nationwide competition and UK club tour in search of the freshest DJ talent within the UK. The winners from across five regions each received £1000 cash and got the opportunity to hit the turntables alongside a legendary DJ legend including Jazzy Jeff and Tim Westwood!
The grand finale ends on 25th October 2008 at Paper nightclub with the ultimate legend Grandmaster Flash!
Grandmaster Flash who has featured on songs such as Chaka Khan’s “I Feel For You” and Blondie’s “Rapture” is an icon in hip hop and pop history!
With his group, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Flash was the first hip hop artist ever to enter the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And on his own, Flash is the only hip hop DJ ever inducted.
But what Flash is famed for is being the grand showmaster of DJs. Techniques he invented back in the day are still being imitated today - cutting, mixing, scratching, spinning, juggling with his elbows, fingers and toes… Grandmaster Flash is the King! He’s even DJ’d for our very own Queen! The tour will start all over again in Jan 2009 and Jazzy Jeff and Grandmaster Flash will be joining us to do it all over again!
Date: Saturday 25th October
Venue: Paper, 68 Regent Street (nearest Tube Piccadilly Circus)
Price: £20
Age: Over 21
Time: 9:00pm – 3:00am
www.alizeremixed.com
Posted by Anna Nathanson
Friday, 26 September 2008
Kano Live
KANO LIVE with special guests Wiley, Skepta, Tinchy Stryder, Neon Hitch and the Thirst
September 30th @ INDIGO 02, LONDON
“The neighbours aren’t happy,” Kano grins about the residents either side of ‘140 Grime St.’ “They’re pissed off with the loud music!” Despite disgruntled habitants at 138 and 142, Kane ‘Kano’ Robinson has returned to the residence of his musical conception. He describes his new album ‘140 Grime St’, as a return to his teenage bedroom where he would write lyrics and record them onto mixtapes while his brother DJ’d. “I’m going back to where I grew up.”
Raised in the golden era of pirate radio, Kane Robinson quickly found notoriety on the underground circuit as a lyrical leviathan. Sidestepping the pitfalls of his East London environment, he honed his delivery alongside the likes of Dizzee Rascal and Wiley, developing a confident poise absent anywhere else in the capital. Standing out from the rest of his peers, on his 18th birthday Robinson was offered the chance to make the leap from the underground to the mainstream in the form of a record contract with 679/Warner. Knocking back promising prospects in sport and academia, the young MC made the transition to an artist and accepted the proposal – and he has never looked back.
Released in 2005, Kano’s debut ‘Home Sweet Home’ was quickly heralded as an urban classic. With appearances from Mike Skinner, and production from himself, Mikey J and Fraser T Smith, Kano built an eclectic fanbase; a heartthrob and a hood hero both, singles like ‘Brown Eyes’ and ‘Nite Nite’ proved he could create chart hits with credibility. A MOBO performance of typical Me was pronounced by Public Enemy’s Chuck D as ‘The best performance,’ he had seen in a long time. However the standout track for many will be ‘P’s & Q’s’ – an underground anthem and a seminal grime classic.
The sophomore effort ‘London Town’ arrived in 2007 and offered an insight into London living. As well as further cementing his position as a commodifiable musician, the record featured noticeable musical contribution from Kate Nash, ex-Blur frontman and Gorillaz brainchild Damon Albarn who sang and produced on the single ‘Feel Free’, and UK garage/R&B poster boy Craig David with whom Kano released ‘This Is The Girl’. Both tracks hit the top 20. The album also showcased Kane’s Jamaican heritage, with a noticeable reggae influence most epitomised by the collaboration with dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel - ‘Buss It Up’ which fused dancehll and grime effortlessly.
As one of the few underground star’s to cross over to the mainstream, Kano has appeared in NME, i-D, RWD, Dazed & Confused (ETC ETC), been playlisted on Radio1, Choice, Galaxy and Kiss and has performed everywhere from Glastonbury to Jools Holland. Among the awards won, Kano was named Best Newcomer at the MOBO’s, Best UK artist at the BET awards and was nominated for a BRIT award.
After all the awards, accolades and acclaim, why is Kane revisiting the place where it all started? “You could say I’m going back there, but I’m going forward at the same time,” Kane states about ‘140 Grime St’, an album that represents the cycle of his career so far. “The album really tells a story. It begins with me in my bedroom wanting to get out, but the end is me after I’ve been through the whole industry scene and now I wanna do it my own way.”
Robinson is referring to his new independent status as label owner of BPM Recordings. Rising above label politics, Kano has taken the reigns to his career into his own hands after an amicable split from 679. Full creative control has allowed him to produce the most challenging project of his career whilst tackling what is probably the first fully conceptual grime album ever. “140 beats per minute is the tempo,’ Grime’ is the vibe and the community I come from and ‘Street’ is where we came up, and who the music appeals to,” says Kano of the album’s concept.
‘Hustler’ is the first single from the album, and it exemplifies the cyclic evolution of Kano as an artist with the first verse directing the listener with TomTom-like precision through the life of a pre-signed Kano whilst the second verse presents the mature MC who he is today. “It was the perfect single cos it explains so much,” he shares. What with the hefty horns and hypnotic hook, some have likened it to the classic ‘P’s & Q’s’. “Wow that’s a lot to live up to,” Kano smiles knowingly.
Grime legend Wiley provides the beat and a verse on ‘Anywhere We Go’ which sees the long awaited collaboration between the grime pioneers. “I respect Wiley as a producer and an MC,” Kano remarks. The two heavyweights throw respect for each other back and forth as they reference each other’s standout lyrics. “That’s a mutual respect thing. Wiley was one of the people I listened to on the radio coming up, I used to recite his lyrics in my bedroom.”
Another artist who has contributed a beat is Skepta from the highly lauded Boy Better Know collective, while DaVinChe, producer of ‘P’s & Q’s’ provides the soundtrack for ‘I Like It’ and ‘Don’t Come Around Here’. The latter is a forward-thinking song that relays street tales from the perspective of victims of crime. “It’s putting out a positive message without preaching,” Kano says. “ It’s doing it in a way that young people can connect with. It’s not one of those bohemian coffee house poetry corner protests. It’s a hard beat which kids can bop their head to, but if you really listen to the undercurrent of the track it’s a positive message I’m trying to get across and it relates to the time that we are living in.” What starts off as a dark foreboding song is soon flipped on its head by a clever twist as Kano addresses gun crime, single parent households and the lack of positive black role models. “It’s not gonna change the world - that’s a bigger job than any track,” he admits. “It’s just my way of addressing the kids.
As well as DaVinChe, Wiley and Skepta, the album also sees long-term collaborators Ghetto and Mikey J (who produced 9 of the LP’s 16 tracks). Completing the narrative, the album’s finale ‘Aim For The Sky’ sees Kano in a thoughtful mood as he analyses his progression from day one up until the present. Is he ready to be his own boss? “It’s going well so far,” he smirks before adding, “I haven’t had to fire myself like Alan Sugar!
The next step is to take the album on tour, with Kano planning a full-blown assault on venues in the UK as well as Europe. The tour, which will hit clubs as well as traditional venues may be as groundbreaking as the album with plans to involve all the album contributors along the way.
Also not wanting to disappoint fans who he has accumulated along the way, Kano is hoping to jump into the studio very soon to record a follow up album to be released early next year. “The next one I’m just gonna go crazy. Explore more genres. Work with artists outside of the scene and just make an international album that will put my name on the map.”
“What I wanted to get across with ‘140 Grime St’ was the vibe and the energy of the scene. I also wanted to cement the position I have, my situation and how I’m trying to move forward through the industry,” concludes Kano. “It’s just MY story.”
Posted by Anna Nathanson
September 30th @ INDIGO 02, LONDON
“The neighbours aren’t happy,” Kano grins about the residents either side of ‘140 Grime St.’ “They’re pissed off with the loud music!” Despite disgruntled habitants at 138 and 142, Kane ‘Kano’ Robinson has returned to the residence of his musical conception. He describes his new album ‘140 Grime St’, as a return to his teenage bedroom where he would write lyrics and record them onto mixtapes while his brother DJ’d. “I’m going back to where I grew up.”
Raised in the golden era of pirate radio, Kane Robinson quickly found notoriety on the underground circuit as a lyrical leviathan. Sidestepping the pitfalls of his East London environment, he honed his delivery alongside the likes of Dizzee Rascal and Wiley, developing a confident poise absent anywhere else in the capital. Standing out from the rest of his peers, on his 18th birthday Robinson was offered the chance to make the leap from the underground to the mainstream in the form of a record contract with 679/Warner. Knocking back promising prospects in sport and academia, the young MC made the transition to an artist and accepted the proposal – and he has never looked back.
Released in 2005, Kano’s debut ‘Home Sweet Home’ was quickly heralded as an urban classic. With appearances from Mike Skinner, and production from himself, Mikey J and Fraser T Smith, Kano built an eclectic fanbase; a heartthrob and a hood hero both, singles like ‘Brown Eyes’ and ‘Nite Nite’ proved he could create chart hits with credibility. A MOBO performance of typical Me was pronounced by Public Enemy’s Chuck D as ‘The best performance,’ he had seen in a long time. However the standout track for many will be ‘P’s & Q’s’ – an underground anthem and a seminal grime classic.
The sophomore effort ‘London Town’ arrived in 2007 and offered an insight into London living. As well as further cementing his position as a commodifiable musician, the record featured noticeable musical contribution from Kate Nash, ex-Blur frontman and Gorillaz brainchild Damon Albarn who sang and produced on the single ‘Feel Free’, and UK garage/R&B poster boy Craig David with whom Kano released ‘This Is The Girl’. Both tracks hit the top 20. The album also showcased Kane’s Jamaican heritage, with a noticeable reggae influence most epitomised by the collaboration with dancehall superstar Vybz Kartel - ‘Buss It Up’ which fused dancehll and grime effortlessly.
As one of the few underground star’s to cross over to the mainstream, Kano has appeared in NME, i-D, RWD, Dazed & Confused (ETC ETC), been playlisted on Radio1, Choice, Galaxy and Kiss and has performed everywhere from Glastonbury to Jools Holland. Among the awards won, Kano was named Best Newcomer at the MOBO’s, Best UK artist at the BET awards and was nominated for a BRIT award.
After all the awards, accolades and acclaim, why is Kane revisiting the place where it all started? “You could say I’m going back there, but I’m going forward at the same time,” Kane states about ‘140 Grime St’, an album that represents the cycle of his career so far. “The album really tells a story. It begins with me in my bedroom wanting to get out, but the end is me after I’ve been through the whole industry scene and now I wanna do it my own way.”
Robinson is referring to his new independent status as label owner of BPM Recordings. Rising above label politics, Kano has taken the reigns to his career into his own hands after an amicable split from 679. Full creative control has allowed him to produce the most challenging project of his career whilst tackling what is probably the first fully conceptual grime album ever. “140 beats per minute is the tempo,’ Grime’ is the vibe and the community I come from and ‘Street’ is where we came up, and who the music appeals to,” says Kano of the album’s concept.
‘Hustler’ is the first single from the album, and it exemplifies the cyclic evolution of Kano as an artist with the first verse directing the listener with TomTom-like precision through the life of a pre-signed Kano whilst the second verse presents the mature MC who he is today. “It was the perfect single cos it explains so much,” he shares. What with the hefty horns and hypnotic hook, some have likened it to the classic ‘P’s & Q’s’. “Wow that’s a lot to live up to,” Kano smiles knowingly.
Grime legend Wiley provides the beat and a verse on ‘Anywhere We Go’ which sees the long awaited collaboration between the grime pioneers. “I respect Wiley as a producer and an MC,” Kano remarks. The two heavyweights throw respect for each other back and forth as they reference each other’s standout lyrics. “That’s a mutual respect thing. Wiley was one of the people I listened to on the radio coming up, I used to recite his lyrics in my bedroom.”
Another artist who has contributed a beat is Skepta from the highly lauded Boy Better Know collective, while DaVinChe, producer of ‘P’s & Q’s’ provides the soundtrack for ‘I Like It’ and ‘Don’t Come Around Here’. The latter is a forward-thinking song that relays street tales from the perspective of victims of crime. “It’s putting out a positive message without preaching,” Kano says. “ It’s doing it in a way that young people can connect with. It’s not one of those bohemian coffee house poetry corner protests. It’s a hard beat which kids can bop their head to, but if you really listen to the undercurrent of the track it’s a positive message I’m trying to get across and it relates to the time that we are living in.” What starts off as a dark foreboding song is soon flipped on its head by a clever twist as Kano addresses gun crime, single parent households and the lack of positive black role models. “It’s not gonna change the world - that’s a bigger job than any track,” he admits. “It’s just my way of addressing the kids.
As well as DaVinChe, Wiley and Skepta, the album also sees long-term collaborators Ghetto and Mikey J (who produced 9 of the LP’s 16 tracks). Completing the narrative, the album’s finale ‘Aim For The Sky’ sees Kano in a thoughtful mood as he analyses his progression from day one up until the present. Is he ready to be his own boss? “It’s going well so far,” he smirks before adding, “I haven’t had to fire myself like Alan Sugar!
The next step is to take the album on tour, with Kano planning a full-blown assault on venues in the UK as well as Europe. The tour, which will hit clubs as well as traditional venues may be as groundbreaking as the album with plans to involve all the album contributors along the way.
Also not wanting to disappoint fans who he has accumulated along the way, Kano is hoping to jump into the studio very soon to record a follow up album to be released early next year. “The next one I’m just gonna go crazy. Explore more genres. Work with artists outside of the scene and just make an international album that will put my name on the map.”
“What I wanted to get across with ‘140 Grime St’ was the vibe and the energy of the scene. I also wanted to cement the position I have, my situation and how I’m trying to move forward through the industry,” concludes Kano. “It’s just MY story.”
Posted by Anna Nathanson
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