'Method to the Madness' is already been hailed by those privy to a preview, as being possibly Kano's most accomplished offering yet. Aside from his collaborative projects, notably with The Gorillaz, the East London MC's fourth Studio album, due for release on 30th August, comes after almost a two-year absence from the scene.
In that time, he has taken what appears to be a shift in direction and feel, signalling something of a departure from his Grime ... or in the words of the man himself, "whatever you want to call it" roots. Never afraid to blur the lines and mix it up, the album boasts an eclectic mix of new and more established collaborations in the form of Boys Noize, Chase & Status, Hot Chip, Damon Albarn, Vybz Kartel and Wiley.
I caught up with Kano at the Reebok Lounge in Shoreditch, the perfect location for a man who clearly knows his urban footwear (even if mainly in white). Like the ultra cool urban loft apartment décor, with just the right mix of gadgets, retro furnishing and not forgetting trainers, the main man exuded a relaxed coolness in his black beanie, Boxfesh hoodie, jeans and of course white trainers. As we shared the sleek leather sofa, I was determined to unpick what exactly is the method to his musical madness and what makes this album so distinct from his previous projects.
"I think with every album I try and do something different. I never try and recreate past material or chase anything that I've done or past success that I may have had, or what people thought was good or didn't. I kind of just make the album that I am feeling at the time.
"The vibe that the album gave me when I made it was so interesting. I just tried to be experimental, using a lot of different sounds that haven't been heard together. Songs like Crazy which I've got on there, completely keep you guessing."
Talk to me about that, because you collaborated with a whole host of people on this album including Hot Chip, Chase and Status and Damon Albarn.
"Well Damon, I have worked with before and he has been a friend ever since. Then we made a song for Gorillaz called 'White Flag'. He's someone that I have always liked to work with, who inspires me and someone I respect a hell of a lot.
"It is always great getting into the studio with him, and I got the opportunity to do that on this album and we made a song called Basement. He always gets something different, and pushes you a little bit further and gets something unique out of you, which maybe you didn't you that you could do or haven't done before.
So you had a lot of fun making this album?
"Yeah, I had a lot of fun making this album – it's mad. I made it in London, and did a lot of recording in Berlin with Boyz Noise where we made four tracks. I recorded in Kingston, where we did 'Get Wild' and make a song called 'Jenga' with Vybz Kartel, and then mixed it in New York.
"So I really travelled whilst recording it and have picked up all those kind of vibes from those other places, and I think that all got incorporated into the music as well. It was definitely a lot of fun and a lot of energy and I think you can hear that in the music".
So it's got an international feel?
"I feel it has, I think it definitely has its own uniqueness. It is not really an album that you can just point your finger and say 'that's what it is and that's where it fits' – there are a lot of different styles put together into one".
Why the title?
"The title just came from me listening to and hearing the music. A lot of it was crazy, a bit out there and a bit mad. I've got a song called crazy, and I have got a song called mad, and the title just came from that. Then I thought, it is not just about madness for madness sake, there is a method to the madness – and that is where the title came from".
You have not only emerged from the studio, but you are also about to hit the road, so talk to me about the tour?
"Ah yeah the tour, I am so excited about going on tour again. It is going to be first tour back on the road for a couple of years now. Obviously I have done the shows here and there, but a real concise tour I haven't done [for a while].
"I toured 140 Grime Street and then obviously started recording this album, but I can't wait to hit everywhere, see the people, and play the music for them. When you are in the studio making an album for so long, it is like I am in my own world not really letting people in. Now is my turn to let people in, and hopefully get that reaction that I was looking for when I made certain songs.
"This is an album, like I said with a lot of energy. When I perform songs like 'Get Wild' I already know what is going to be the situation, and they are going to love it! I have been touring with the Gorillaz doing a few shows, we have been to Syria, Damascus and Benicassim and it has just given me the bug again to get back out there and tour my own music".
As one of the pioneers of Grime, what do you think the future is for the genre?
"Well I don't think it will go anywhere, I think we are pretty much here to stay now – this is our kind of hip hop. Grime or whatever you want to call it, "Grime" is not personally what I call it, it is just music to me, [is] one of the youngest genres over here and we are always going to get that thing of, "is it just a phase".
"I think we have been challenged with that question and overcome that. [With] more and more younger artists getting developed and brought through I can already see the future and it is going to be cool".
'Method to the Madness' released 30 August 2010, is available to pre order on http://www.kanosworld.com Check nationwide dates and further information for his forthcoming tour kicking off with an album launch on 1 September 2010 at Bush Hall, London that is already sold out.
