ADHDers are often highly creative, but we struggle how to direct and organise our energy. As a result it often gets splintered, resulting in half finished projects and nonsensical scribbled down ideas. Due to this we can lose confidence in our abilities and give up, which is a shame as action often leads to momentum.
Every once in a while to rejuvenate my creativity, I take a deep dive on artist who has stuck to their creative guns. And by artist I mean comedians, designers, filmmakers, rappers and musicians. They’ll either be someone I’ve recently discovered or have been a fan of for a while. And so I’ve decided to do this artist spotlight in the hope that it inspires both you and I, to get going on our creative projects! *
*Trigger warning: this might be the geekiest anorak newsletter I’ve written to date.
Kicking things off, I’m shining a light on the supremely talented actor and rapper Kano (real name Kane Robinson). Most people outside of the UK will know Kano from his captivating performance as Sully from Top Boy. But way before acting, he was one of the original MC’s of the UK grime scene. Kano came up with the East London based Too Nasty Crew and by the age of 17 was taking part in legendary clashes with the godfather of grime, MC Wiley.
Grime has now become a cultural phenomenon with the likes of Stormzy becoming global stars. But back in the noughties, Kano was part of a group of MCs that paved the way for the next generation, at a time when US hip hop dominated British radio airwaves. He was instrumental in introducing grime to the masses and with it, a wave of UK talent.
Takeaway: Kano found something he loved, honed his craft and stuck to it.
During this period, I was a fan of UK garage music, an urban dance genre emanating from London, combining sped up R&B vocals which started with a 4/4 beat and over time, turned into 2 step. It spawned artists such as Craig David, So Solid Crew (featuring Kano’s Top Boy co-star Ashley Walters) and The Streets.
My friends and I would go to local raves, buy tape packs of all the DJ sets and I would go on to develop an unhealthy and expensive vinyl obsession. It also helped that UK garage raves attracted a lot of women, due to the vocals and R&B influenced sound!
But when grime arrived on the scene, everything changed. Darker baselines and beats made in bedrooms on Fruityloops software were sparse in lyrics, which allowed MCs more space to express themselves. Overtime, the music became more commercial. Dizzee Rascal released his seminal album release Boy In Da Corner, which won a Mercury Award for best album. And Kano’s single P’s & Q’s became an instant classic.
I’d always been a fan of Kano’s ability to cross over from darker grime to commercial sounding tracks such This Is The Girl ft. Craig David and Nite Nite ft. Leo The Lion and The Streets. These singles introduced him to a mainstream audience and as a breakout artist in the scene.
During this period, Kano released albums and mixtapes that received varying degrees of success and then in 2011 he was cast in Top Boy as Sully.
Takeaway: Don’t be afraid to experiment and take your art in a new direction.
In 2016 Kano released his album Made In The Manor, which was nominated for the Mercury Prize Award. And it was this body of work that turned me into fan boy! His skills as a lyricist and storyteller are impeccable throughout and the production from both a music and visual perspective, are unique to Kano’s vision.
The music videos aren’t big budget, but they are authentic and reflect Kano’s world as an artist. GarageskankFREESTYLE is a straight up banger and his decision to feature fans in the video was a master stoke. It’s a quintessential British sound that represents a time and genre when people were enjoying the vibes, without filming everything on their phones (typed in an angry old man voice) .
T-shirt Weather in the Manor is pure good Summer vibes and again, Kano uses his creativity to make a video on a limited budget and keeps it real by having friends and family in it. It’s dripping in nostalgia and makes you think back to times of endless sunny summers and BBQ’s. The good old days!
The real stand out track for me though is 3 Wheel-Ups. The energy is next level and the musicianship and production stellar. Kano introduces a brass and horn section which contrasts well with his urgent and energetic delivery. And having South London rapper Giggs on the track makes it a home run. The video is raw, shot on a shoe-string and compliments the lyrics.
Takeaway: Financial restraints can often enhance the creativity of a project.
During lockdown I came across a live performance of the same track filmed at a Giggs, er, gig. I often replayed it, craving to be in a setting where humans could come together and let loose. What strikes me about the video is the moment when Kano comes out and the crowd go nuts. His energy is infectious and you can see he’s up there doing what he loves. And the hook makes the track an instant grime anthem.
Another example of Kano’s skills as a live performer are in this clip on the Big Narstie Show TV show. Kano was initially on as a guest talking about his experiences of acting in Top Boy, when out of nowhere this happens. Again, his energy and stage presence shine through. And then there’s his ability to project his voice whilst sitting down. Kano clearly has a handle on mastering his breath!
Takeaway: Spend time working your craft, so that eventually it looks effortless.
In 2019 Kano released his sixth album Hoodies All Summer, allowing for a three year gap between Made In The Manor. The album was once again shortlisted for the Mercury prize award. He’s an artist who’s not afraid to take his time or worried that by not releasing music, he’ll become irrelevant. And the wait was definitely worth it.
The single Trouble is an incredibly powerful track that dissects the tragedy of inner city youth violence. The music video which also combines the single Class of Deja and directed by Oscar winning Aniel Karia, is a 17 minute long cinematic masterpiece. It takes the viewer on a journey and again is shot on a limited budget. It captures a range of emotions, ending in a celebration of life featuring two of Kano’s closest friends and collaborators D-Double E and Ghetts.
Tracks such as these and Free Years Later, show another more introspective side to Kano. Like all great artists, as he’s matured his subject matter has evolved, to reveal his inner thoughts on a range of subject matters. Can’t Hold We Down is another feel good video and track, that shows life is all about enjoying time with your friends and family.
Takeaway: Stay true to yourself as an artist, take your time and evolve organically.
To sum up, Kano is a prime example of an artist who has stuck to his creative guns, mastered his craft and paved a career out of doing what he loves. He gives his all to each project, prioritises his creativity and isn’t scared to pivot and try something new.
If you struggle with turning your creative ideas into a finished product, I hope this brings you some inspiration to get going.
Signing off with some final words from Kano, accepting a MOBO award for best performance in a TV show (2.47 mins in):
“if you’re an artist, you can do what you fucking want”.
Kane Robinson enjoying a cropped cuppa.