Kano - Made In The Manor
9/10
Skepta dropped the first classic single of grime’s New Age. Stormzy nailed the first classic freestyle. If you’re anything like me, you’ve been waiting for the revival’s first classic album –Made in the Manor might be it.
Kano gained underground popularity in the 2000’s, and has released 4 records since. He dabbled with hip-hop along the way, but never turned his back on grime. Rest assured, Made in the Manor isn’t an attempt to mount grime’s rampant success.
The proof is in the production. Kano’s delivers purist grime beats, but on his own terms. Belters like 3 Wheels Up and Flow of the Year boast dirty beats, but the tight production advances on beats from his debut. Metal riffs carry Hail, while T-shirt Weather in The Summer beams Balearic vibes.
Through his bars, Kano gives us access to his East Ham. He’s gone all Kendrick – rapping about “trying to grow up straight in a town full of crooks”, evoking the personal and political complexities of Good Kid M.a.a.D city. It’s no rip off though, authenticity lies in name checked roads, references to fellow MCs, and poignant anecdotes. All that, supported by a deft flow. JME and Damon Albarn jazz up the credits, but Made in the Manor wouldn’t have suffered without them. It stands strong as an accessible, advanced, modern grime album.
9/10
