Downtown has signed a worldwide publishing deal with UK hip-hop and grime songwriter and rapper Kano.
The act is the first signing at Downtown’s London office for Daniel Lloyd Jones, who joined the company earlier this year from Sony/ATV.
A two-time MOBO Award winner, Kano achieved his highest chart position last year by breaking into the UK Top Ten with Mercury Music prize-nominated ‘Made In The Manor.’
That album, as well as Kano’s future collaborations and releases, will be covered under the Downtown deal.
Kano said, “It takes a lot for me to sit down and share a pot of tea with someone. Even more to trust someone in looking after the thing i’m most precious about; my words. But Dan is different to most. He gets it.
“He sees it early, and then he sees its potential beyond where most people’s vision can go. We’ve been talking for years about working together and now was the time.”
“Dan is different to most. He gets it.”
Kano
Daniel Lloyd Jones, head of Downtown A&R UK, said: “I’ve known Kano since he collaborated with Plan B on the Ill Manors soundtrack.
“He is one of the most visceral, honest, and astute lyricists out there — his wordplay is hard hitting, cerebral, and second to none. It’s a real honour to have him join the Downtown family. He is exactly what you can’t manufacture. He has his own culture and identity which is unique to him but speaks to many.”
It was recently confirmed that Kano would be featured again in series 3 of TV drama Topboy, which Drake is executive producing. The series will air on Netflix in 2019.
Roberto Neri, Managing Director of Downtown’s UK office, said ”We’re thrilled about Kano joining our incredible client roster. It’s also great to see Dan firmly settled in at Downtown.”
Kano’s manager Richard Thomas added “I’m really looking forward to working with Dan and everyone at Downtown. His passion and enthusiasm is what convinced me and Kane that he’s the right person to go into business with. I highly respect him as he is a man of his word, and someone who sees our vision. It’s great to be his first signing at Downtown.”
Downtown’s UK Office has now signed the likes of renowned songwriter-producer Naughty Boy, songwriting and production duo Saltwives (Zayn, Iggy Azalea, Charles Hamilton, BeBe Rexha), and songwriter and producer Zdot (Wiley, Professor Green, Lady Leshurr, Bugzy Malone), in just the past year.Music Business Worldwide
