Kano/ Method To The Maadness

Kano
Method To The Maadness
(Bigger Picture)

While a fair few UK hip-hop artists have attracted criticism in recent months for adopting different directions in order to break the mainstream, similar accusations cannot be levelled at Kano.
While he’s continued to vary his style from album to album, you get the impression that he’s never cashed in on what might be deemed to be an unashamedly popular bandwagon just for the sake of association. This latest release, ‘Method To The Maadness’, is proof of his creative ambition being the winner once again.
Michelle Breeze’s contributions to ‘Upside’ and ‘Slaves’ are notable highlights, with the former laying down her fragile, soul-drenched vocals in the brief periods of downtime between Kano’s speedy deliveries and his lively horn section. The latter must also be praised for feeling like a very real collaboration, rather than just another male rap-female vocal sample combination.
Elsewhere on the album, Vybz Kartel’s appearance on ‘Jenga’ complements the hypnotic quality of Kano’s rasp superbly, while ‘MAAD’ is more like a slow-burning rock anthem, peppered with ‘Knights of Cydonia’-style chants to punctuate a series of calmer verses.
Even though the occasional presence of Hot Chip and Boys Noize on the record certainly lends the album a contemporary feel, you still end up feeling like this album’s been done on its protagonist’s terms.