Mikill Pane’s show at Hoxton Bar and Kitchen was just what I needed to restore I bit of faith in hip-hop.  I first came across Mikill following his sublime showing on Ed Sheeran’s Little Lady.  His emotionally powerful story of a girl sold in to slavery moved me in ways I forgot hip-hop could.  In its current mid-life, hip-hop is sometimes a shadow of its former self.  Don’t get me wrong, good music is out there, it is just you have to search very very hard for it.  Luckily, Mikill Pane is one of the few good’uns I have found of late.

Seeing Mikill Pane live was a reinvigorating experience.  The deeply emotive records were few and far between truck loads of energetic fun.  During its current mid-life crisis hip-hop seems to now believe in its own self-professed importance. Mikill has found a balance.  Have some fun, talk about issues, get serious when you need too and always twerk the bass in to the red zone!

Many of the songs are light-hearted, yet when he wants to he can really make you think.  He owned the stage with charisma; prowling around while showing off his apparent love for tattoos .  In many ways he reminds me of Example before he found dance music; a guy you felt you could go down the pub with and talk stimulating nonsense with for a couple of hours.

Although, heading to the pub with Mikill may not be too wise if you expect to be walking home.  Celebrating his birthday, Mikill was in high spirits, particularly after throwing down a row of successive shots then going on to continue his set.  I would have been floored, so hats off to him for being able to stand, yet alone carry-on to finish his set (albeit ever so slightly slurred towards the end).

It was a  solid set and Mikill Pane is definitely worth catching live if you get the opportunity.  It’s not often you find honest hip-hop where you can just let go and have  have fun just for the sake of it.  Hip-Hop is something to be enjoyed, and Mikill appears to be on a mission to spread that joy one show at a time.

Rob

22nd MAY 2013 – Mikill Pane performs at Hoxton Bar & Kitchen on his birthday