Kano

There is more than one artist with this name:
(1) A British hip-hopper and grime artist, and (2) an Italian dance music project. (3) A British techno-drum and bass DJ, producer, and label-owner.

1. In his early teens Kano attended Langdon Comprehensive School in East Ham, Newham, where his mother still works. Kano was a promising footballer, representing Chelsea F.C., Junior Hammers and Norwich City by the age of thirteen, but in the end he abandoned his sporting ambitions in favour of a musical career. His cousin Jerome Thomas plays for Charlton Athletic.

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 (Natural Artistic Sounds Touching You). From this springboard he was signed as a solo artist and began work on his debut solo album.

He is signed to 679 Recordings and is a lablemate 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 now left N.A.S.T.Y Crew, and took Demon and Ghetto with him.

Home Sweet Home was a great critical success, from across the British press, most notably The Independent and The Observer, two creditable UK based newspapers. Many artists in the UK and US have expressed positive views of the album, including Busta Rhymes, Nas, RZA, Jay-Z, Andre 3000 and Chuck D of Public Enemy.

Towards the end of 2005, Kano also released a mixtape, Beats & Bars, which is currently only available at his concerts.

London Town was released on September 10, 2007, which included hit single, "This Is The Girl", featuring Craig David. London Town includes tracks featuring Gorillaz member Damon Albarn formerly of Blur, Kate Nash, Craig David, Vybz Kartel and Leo The Lion.

Kano is also releasing a special Deluxe Limited Edition that includes a DVD featuring a interview with Kano, This Is The Girl video and acoustic studio footage with Craig David.

Kano has now been dropped/left 679 recordings.


2. Kano was a dance project formed in the early 1980s by Italian-based producers Luciano Ninzatti, Stefano Pulga and Matteo Bonsanto who helped usher in a style of dance music called Italo-disco, a blend of 1970s disco and funk updated with the addition of synthesizers.

Unofficially known for being one of the first dance groups and artists to bring a new instrumental trend of synthesizers and a module known as the Talk Box (made more famous in the R&B world by the late Roger Troutman who formed the group Zapp) into the pop and disco mainstream, their revolutionary sound was first heard on radio stations and in dance clubs around the world with their debut hit single, 1980's "I'm Ready", from their self-titled debut album (which also included the minor hits, "It's A War" and the instrumental track "Cosmic Voyager").

Kano not only contributed to the Italo-Disco genre, but also helped paved the way for the growth of hip-hop culture, as "I'm Ready" became an instant breakdance classic. "I'm Ready" was later used as a sample on several songs, gaining more popularity on Tag Team's early '90s hit, "Whoomp! (There It Is)".

3. Sinuous Records
Label boss Kano has rightfully earned the respect within the D&B scene and built Sinuous Records into a leading producer of quality tunes and talented artists. After five years in the game Sinuous Records have come along way, producing over 44 tracks including four high quality EPs and bags of raw talent for the future.
Kanos attitude of producing quality over quantity, whether its a tune or artist, has served him well and it is an image associated with Sinuous Records. New artists that have the flair and imagination that Sinuous Records want to push forward. With releases from new artists such as Allied, Masheen, Pylon and Yabol , Sinuous are investing in these artists and paving the way in D&B for years to come.

Kano,better known as Justin to his mates, was initially inspired to pick up the art of deejaying by old skool/hardcore and drum and bass. He earned his customary DJ apprenticeship at his local record shop, Just a Groove in Bedford uk and hit raves and popular nightspots like Milwaulkies.From their D&B entered the sub-conscious of Kano.After building bridges and networking with promoters, Kano was soon up in front of curious crowds spinning shop promos.Before long Kano was scoring at the big raves like One Nation, Club Sidewinder and Break Up in the UK. With his mixing skills toned alongside the best of them Kano looked to expand his operation.

Kano decided that the next progressive move was to set up his own outlet to release the music that he found most appealing. With Kano totally focused and determined, Sinuous Records was born in 2002 and embraced the tech step D&B with pure dirty bass.I-Rate a.k.a Raiden was responsible for the Sinuous debut release, Game Over and Dropping Like Flies.A quick follow up was made by newcomer Lynx with tracks Orient and Raw 1000. It was the third release that really started to turn heads with the Transformed EP.As Knowledge magazine acknowledged, Four sides of confident dance floor flair from the Sinuous camp. With praise coming from magazine columns Sinuous were growing and growing fast.

Sinuous Records had started off on a good footing and with a lot of hard work Kano has kept things moving in the right direction.Kano assembled the best of the new breed of talent, artists that were finding it hard getting their foot in door of the D&B scene..man aka (Raiden), Killer Instint,aka (Friction) Skynet, Lynx, Spl , Limewax, Propaganda and Masheen just to name few that have been successful with Sinuous.

Kano has understood the importance of good promotion and their consistent strategy has earned them extensive coverage in industry magazines like ATM, Knowledge, Rise and Lexicon plus free magazines.As well as that you can also hear all their latest dubs on www.sinousrecords.com, Drum and Bass arena and Dogs on Acid.Kano has also taken to the airwaves,broadcasting exclusive Sinuous sets on new age internet radio stations like Pyrotechnic, Bassdrive,Soulvision and Gaia Live as well pirate stations.All the radio work paid off in 2003, when Kanos talent came to the ears of 1Xtra DJ Flight and the production crew.The mix was aired on Flights Friday night Next Chapter sessions with a big response from the raving massive.The mix was course packed with all the latest Sinuous releases and dubs.

With a superb looking website now .. the Sinuous boys have had a taste of the media and want to explore different avenues of promotion.Kano,an already accomplished all round skater, used his connections in the extreme sports world to air a home produced video of course using a Sinuous track for the backing.As well as that the Sinuous camp have been singed up for sponsorship with Aerosoul Clothing.With underground promotion campaigns in full effect,clothing sponsorship deals and music videos the strategy of promoting Sinuous Records with new media in mind is crucial to their development with the D&B scene.
Sinuous Records is receiving full-on support from the likes of Tech Itch Raiden Spl Limewax John B The Sect Audio Proket Cooh Masheen Counterstrike + Much more