Dine On Grime / Munch on music
All my features, reviews, opinion pieces, and artist profiles in one place (the punctuation isn't perfect but the passion is!)
Cammy Thomas When Joy White delivered her revered presentation ‘Newham the East London grime site of a place of emancipatory disruption’ for Black history month 2019, detailing the foundations of grime, which sprouted from the roots of reggae after our grandparents migrated to the UK and laid the soil, from which a myriad of black… Continue reading *REVIEWING* Newham Talks: Kano Interviews Dr Joy White
Last week we looked at Wiley’s musical roots as a youth, his sonic creation - the Eski beat instrumentals, his discovery of Dizzee Rascal and the alliances formed which would stand the test of time. During the interlude you should have become acquainted with the ice rink armed with the avalanche of riddims I left you with at the end of Part 1 (If not skate backwards to Part 1, have a listen and re-join us here.) It’s now time to put down the skates and pick up your skis...
The 2016 Mercury prize was a year of firsts. It was the first time Hyundai had steered the show as sponsor, David Bowie’s ‘Black star’ album was the ceremony’s first posthumous nominee and it was the first time Grime had a double edged sword to fight the competition; with Grime’s experimental electronica indie bwoy Kano’s ‘Made In The Manor’ shortlisted as well as Grime’s man of the moment often hailed for the ‘resurgence’ of Grime Skepta with ‘Konnichiwa.’ Both very different but equally important albums to the genre....
On the day of Kano’s Made in the Manor gig (13th October) at the O2 Ritz, Manchester I was vexed. I was screw facing making the plants in the kitchen shrivel up with my sour face. The reason – My favourite MC was playing in my home city, the gig had sold out quick time...
the festival itself was located at Heaton Park, Manchester, but one must present themselves where the party is in progress) With the gal gang assembled early doors and shots lined up before midday on Saturday like a squad of soldiers ready to intoxicate and inebriate the four of us we were ready to roll. Whilst queueing to gain access to the festival it struck me how vigorous security checks were on the guys, due to the fact the violent incidents which threatened to see the festival shutdown permanently had involved men.
Kano displays his polaroid’s from the past expertly as the album opens on a red-hot summers day and you can almost feel yourself melting in the manor as Kano tells us it’s ‘T-shirt weather in the manor’ we are transported to a time before the release of Kano’s first album where Heartless crew ruled the airwaves; as you try to cool down with a “Screw ball 99, flake it out” the instrumental is subtle with a simple piano melody underscoring Kano’s story ensuring we can hear what he has to say.
Dine On Grime / Munch on music 