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United Kingdom Kano is a versatile artist recognized for his contributions to music, particularly grime, and his acting roles in television and film.
Kano collaborated with adidas Originals for a UK-curated live show in London, showcasing his continued relevance in evolving and innovating within the grime culture and beyond.
Kano debuted a collaboration with Italian sportswear icon C.P. Company on FLANNELS, which involved him reworking an exclusive collection and curating the 'Tapes Redefined' event at FLANNELS' London store.
Defender launched its TikTok account in collaboration with Kano, featuring the British music pioneer.
Kano engaged in a series of collaborations with Mercedes following his role and co-production in the critically acclaimed UK drama 'Top Boy'.
Kano teamed up with Duppy Share Caribbean Rums to create and launch 'Duppy White', an all-Jamaican white rum.
Kano partnered with the iconic rum brand Wray & Nephew for a 'Wray Residency' live show at Newham Leisure Centre, bringing a 26-piece orchestra to his home turf. This was part of a series where Wray & Nephew collaborate with musicians to host one-off gigs in local communities.
Kane Brett Robinson, known as Kano, was born on May 21, 1985, in East Ham, London. Raised by Jamaican parents, he initially showed talent in football, playing for clubs like Chelsea, West Ham United, Norwich City, and Celtic by age thirteen. He later shifted his focus to music, beginning to MC at fourteen. His early musical experiences included composing with Cubase and contributing to UK garage sets with his older brother. Kano’s formal entry into the music scene began in 2002 when he became a member of the Nasty Crew, a prominent grime collective. His second vinyl release, “Vice Versa (Boys Love Girls),” was released through Jammer’s label, Jahmek the World. He gained wider recognition through appearances on official remixes, such as The Streets’ “Fit but You Know It,” and on Jammer’s “Lord of the Mics” grime battle DVD. He signed a record deal with 679 Recordings on his nineteenth birthday in 2004.
Kano released his debut single under 679 Recordings, “P’s & Q’s,” which became an underground success. His debut album, “Home Sweet Home,” was released on June 27, 2005, and reached number 36 in the UK charts, eventually achieving gold status in the UK. During this period, he parted ways with Nasty Crew. His second album, “London Town,” released in 2007, featured collaborations with artists such as Craig David, Damon Albarn, Kate Nash, and Vybz Kartel. In 2008, he launched his independent label, Bigger Picture Music, and released his third album, “140 Grime Street.” His fourth album, “Method to the Maadness,” followed in 2010, which charted at number 45 on the UK Albums Chart. In 2011, he released the “Not for the A List” EP in collaboration with producer Mikey J.
Beyond music, Kano made his acting debut in October 2011 in the Channel 4 drama “Top Boy,” playing the character Sully. He reprised this role when Netflix revived the series. In 2016, his fifth album, “Made in the Manor,” was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize and won Best Album at the MOBO Awards. His sixth album, “Hoodies All Summer,” released in 2019, was also shortlisted for the Mercury Prize in 2020. He also played the lead role in the 2023 Netflix film “The Kitchen.” Throughout his career, Kano has received multiple awards, including MOBO Awards for Best Newcomer in 2005, Best Album in 2016, and Best Performance in a TV Show/Film in 2022. He was recognized as one of “London’s Heroes of 2005” by Mayor Ken Livingstone.
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