1) [1] a UK hi… Read Full Bio ↴There are three musical projects by the name of Kano --
1) [1] a UK hip hop / grime rapper
2) [2] a classic italo-disco project.
3) [3] a Japanese singer who covers Vocaloid songs.
[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 Jonathan Fortune 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 label mate 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 left 679 recordings.
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[2] Kano was a post-disco music project formed in 1979 by Italian-based producers/musicians Luciano Ninzatti, Stefano Pulga and Matteo Bonsanto. They were early producers of a style of Italian dance music called Italo-disco, a blend of 1970s disco and funk with the addition of synthesizers.
Kano's 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"). The b-side of "I'm Ready", "Holly Dolly" used the same essential production elements. "I'm Ready" also peaked at #21 on the Black Singles chart. "It's a War" was also a big hit on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the U.S., reaching #2 for five weeks.
The project went on to record two other albums, including 1981's "New York Cake" (which included the minor hits "Don't Try to Stop Me", and "Can't Hold Back") and 1983's "Another Life" (including the title track and "I Need Love") which introduced West Indian-born singer Glen White. Their last song was 1985's "This Is the Night".
"I'm Ready" was later used as a sample on a few songs, such as Gigolo Tony's 1986 hit "Hokie Pokie" and Rofo's 1987 hit "Flashlight In A Disconight". The most well-known use of it as a sample is on Tag Team's 1993 hit, "Whoomp! (There It Is)". "Another Life" was remixed by Master Blaster featuring in their 2003 album "We Love Italo Disco". "Another Life" was also sampled in the 2005 track "Discopolis" by Lifelike & Kris Menace. "Ikeya Seki" was sampled by the French electro house artist Kavinsky for his track "Grand Canyon", which appeared on his 2007 EP, 1986.
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[3]Romanized name of the utaite 鹿乃, for a full biography, check that page.
This Is England
Kano Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
East London, who am I to mess tradition up?
Jellied eels, pie and mash, two pints of that pride on tap
Polo top, pair of stans, flat cap and a Burberry mac
Some ASBO kids on the crack here
Super tenants on a park bench, brown packet
Yeah, that's the hood, yeah, that's the hood
I'm just a Two-Pac nigga in a town full of Suges
Know when you've never seen a man buy a Bentley with a book
We take to water like a duck, headed to the green
But getting caught up in the rough
Story of my life, and I'm just giving you the crux
The wheels keep on turning, we keep on earning
Streets lead to wars and spies
Be sure we keep on moving forward
Straight, straight as the arrows fly
Back when Lethal Bizzle was Lethal B
This is how we used to dun the dance in East
We used to spit sixteens 'til they called police
Probably somewhere in a party or the dark she'll be
This is England, this is England
Where you could be a villain or a victim
Where you make money, make it out, avoid pen
That's the idiot's guide to the manor, my friend
Uh, it's been a long time coming, like Sam said
A change gonna come for the masses
Bars back, give that dark shit a damn rest
Rap for the have-nots and the have-less
This my Rocky stairway flow
Something those Apollos wouldn't know
Brother and a mother, where's Daddy?
Ah, fuck it, same old, same old
Face bothered, two three piece, Nucky Thompson
Fight against the odds to the top like Jack Johnson
You can keep the more money if you keep the problems
I can keep it real, can you keep it one hundred?
Just bought a soda pound sign said
Stripped and underground, king of his highness
Now what will come first, getting rich or the dying?
The tears or the violins?
The wheels keep on turning, we keep on earning
Streets lead to wars and spies
Be sure we keep on moving forward
Straight, straight as the arrows fly
Back when Lethal Bizzle was Lethal B
This is how we used to dun the dance in East
We used to spit sixteens 'til they called police
Probably somewhere in a party or the dark she'll be
This is England, this is England
Where you could be a villain or a victim
Where you make money, make it out, avoid pen
That's the idiot's guide to the manor, my friend
It's not a hip hop party without a butt twerk
It's not a real rap song without a cuss word
It's not a house party without a shuffle
It's not a garage rave without champagne
Back when Wiley was Wiley Kat
This was how we used to get the party gassed
CS, get the party gassed
Then you covered your face and dossed out the back
I'll tell you, back when Lethal Bizzle was Lethal B
This is how we used to dun the dance in East
We used to spit sixteens 'til they called police
Probably somewhere in a party or a dark she'll be
This is England, this is England
Where you could be a villain or a victim
Where you make money, make it out, avoid pen
That's the idiot's guide to the manor, my friend
Back when Lethal Bizzle was Lethal B
This is how we used to dun the dance in East
We used to spit sixteens 'til they called police
Probably somewhere in a party or the dark she'll be
This is England, this is England
Where you could be a villain or a victim
Where you make money, make it out, avoid pen
That's the idiot's guide to the manor, my friend
The song "This Is England" by Kano is an ode to his hometown of East London, highlighting its unique culture and its flaws. Kano starts off the first verse by mentioning the infamous London gangster Reggie Kray, who became wealthy off criminal activities in East London. Kano then goes on to mention some traditional East London foods like jellied eels and pie and mash, as well as the clothing popular in the area like flat caps and Burberry macs. He also mentions the social issues that plague the area, like ASBO kids on crack and homeless individuals seeking shelter.
The chorus talks about the constant movement and progression of life, as the "wheels keep on turning" and the need to "keep on moving forward, straight as the arrows fly." The second verse reflects on the early days of UK grime music, mentioning the artist Lethal Bizzle and how they used to "dun the dance" in East London. Kano talks about the challenges of trying to make it in the music industry in a town full of crooks, but also about the potential to make it out and avoid prison. He ends the verse by reflecting on his own journey and the difficulties he has faced along the way.
The third verse touches on the current state of the music industry, with Kano's frustration that "dark shit" is being elevated despite its negativity. He also reflects on his own personal life, with references to his family and the obstacles he has faced. The song ends with a repeat of the chorus and a final verse reflecting on the past, with mentions of Wiley and the early days of garage music.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm from where Reggie Kray got rich as fuck
I come from East London, where gangster Reggie Kray made his fortune. Who am I to go against tradition?
Jellied eels, pie and mash, two pints of that pride on tap
East London cuisine includes jellied eels, pie and mash, and pride beer on tap.
Polo top, pair of stans, flat cap and a Burberry mac
I dress like a typical East Londoner with a polo shirt, Stan Smith shoes, flat cap, and a Burberry coat.
Some ASBO kids on the crack here
There are some young people in my area who have been given ASBOs (Anti-Social Behaviour Orders) and are addicted to crack cocaine.
Super tenants on a park bench, brown packet
I see some unemployed people sitting on a park bench, smoking a roll-up cigarette filled with tobacco and weed.
Yeah, that's the hood, yeah, that's the hood
These things are typical of my neighbourhood, this is what I mean when I say 'the hood.'
I'm just a Two-Pac nigga in a town full of Suges
I am like Tupac, a rapper who spoke the truth, in a place where others are like Suge Knight, who is known for violence.
Tryna be straight in this town full of crooks
I am trying to live an honest life in a place where many people engage in illegal activities.
Know when you've never seen a man buy a Bentley with a book
In East London, it is rare to see someone become wealthy through education alone, as opposed to criminal activity.
We take to water like a duck, headed to the green
Even though we face many difficulties, we are like ducks in water, moving forward towards success.
But getting caught up in the rough
Sometimes we face obstacles that make it difficult to maintain our sense of direction.
Story of my life, and I'm just giving you the crux
These experiences are a part of my life, and I am giving you the main point or essence of it all.
The wheels keep on turning, we keep on earning
We keep moving forward and making money, despite the challenges we face.
Streets lead to wars and spies
Living in a neighbourhood like mine can lead to violence and mistrust.
Be sure we keep on moving forward
Despite the difficulties, we will continue moving forward in our lives.
Straight, straight as the arrows fly
We will continue moving forward in a focused and determined manner.
Where you could be a villain or a victim
My neighbourhood is a place where you can either be a criminal or a victim of crime.
Where you make money, make it out, avoid pen
If you want to succeed and avoid going to prison, you need to make money and get out of my neighbourhood.
That's the idiot's guide to the manor, my friend
These are the basics for succeeding in my neighbourhood, and I am telling you this as a friend.
It's not a hip hop party without a butt twerk
At a hip-hop party, it is common to see people twerking.
It's not a real rap song without a cuss word
In a true rap song, there is usually some profanity used.
It's not a house party without a shuffle
At a house party, people dance a shuffle dance.
It's not a garage rave without champagne
Champagne is a common drink at garage raves.
This my Rocky stairway flow
My rapping style is similar to Rocky Balboa's ascent up a staircase, it's determined and unstoppable.
Something those Apollos wouldn't know
People who are privileged and never struggled may not understand my style and struggle.
Brother and a mother, where's Daddy?
I only have a mother and a brother, I don't know where my father is.
Ah, fuck it, same old, same old
I don't care anymore, it's the same situation as always.
Face bothered, two three piece, Nucky Thompson
I wear a suit like Nucky Thompson and I look serious and bothered.
Fight against the odds to the top like Jack Johnson
I am fighting against the odds in my life just like boxer Jack Johnson did when he became the first black heavyweight champion of the world.
You can keep the more money if you keep the problems
If you have more money, you will have more problems to deal with.
I can keep it real, can you keep it one hundred?
I am honest and straightforward, are you able to be the same way?
Just bought a soda pound sign said
I recently bought a soda with a pound sign on it, indicating its inflated price.
Stripped and underground, king of his highness
I am a rapper who is raw and comes from the underground, but still feel like I am king of my own world.
Now what will come first, getting rich or the dying?
I question whether I will get rich before I die, or if I will die before I get rich.
The tears or the violins?
Will there be tears or violins playing when I reach my goal?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Tristan Michael Landymore, Kane Robinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@louiswelbrock1824
A grime rapper who actually shows what England is and doesn't do stuff just to cater to the america. Like showing dog racing, the footy and a cup of tea.
@MrDagcode
Ikr
@dylancozens6802
You know them ones 😂
@jeastwood5587
Most under rated British grime artist ever
@dannygarcia3863
dont forget the English breakfast
@NatashaSoupy
He's probably recognised as the best grime artist this year tho
@lukemurray8626
It's nice that someone made a song about England and not just London etc, I always felt left out when they were chatting about London. This reminds me of how great England really is
@hl8uk
+Luke Murray you know this aha
@IFEGRIZZLY
big up, so true
@lewixsham7416
Because everywhere else other than London is irrelevant