Power Book III: Raising Kanan S2

Season two of Power Book III: Raising Kanan, is the 90s-set prequel in the Power series that charts the early years of Kanan Stark (originally played by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson) before he joins the drug trade. It tells stories interconnected through a love of music and a life of crime; so much of the production’s aesthetic hinges on the balance of these two things. The narration flows like rap bars and every line delivered sounds like quick lyrical bites with multiple rhyming patterns. The show’s musical score is also perfectly-timed with other auditory elements of the show – beats are in sync with gunshots, and applause builds with the approach of the music. While exploring many different characters’ stories, the action revolves around young Kanan’s backstory (Mekai Curtis) and explores, among other things, themes of family, making it within the industry, drugs and gambling, all tied up in the wrappings of hidden secrets. 

The theme of hidden secrets is exhibited well through cinematography, script and editing. Malcolm’s (Omar Epps) “memory loss” is just the first stepping stone into this overarching concept of the show. The framing and camera angles showcase very limited perspective, whether looking through door frames, bars of the prison cells or narrow hallways. Lighting also helps with high contrast and plenty of shadows. This lends credence to the other areas the series tries to explore – racial profiling, police corruption, work-life and romance balance and the fine line between belief in somebody’s independence and capability and the obligation to protect them as their parent. These are highlighted through lines like Kanan’s mother Raquel (Patina Miller) saying, “You’re not supposed to protect your mother Kanan, I’m supposed to protect you,” and comments by police officers like, “Maybe you didn’t shoot that cop, but I know you guilty of all sort of shit”.

One of the series’ highlights is its use of visual metaphors, especially when splicing different scenes together to create parallels and contrasts. The most notable example of this is in the second episode wherein Malcolm warns Raquel of a traitor amongst her people. A rat trapped in a mousetrap is a prominent feature of specific scenes throughout the episode. While an interesting technique, it can muddle up the timeline and make the chronology of events seem a little confusing. Overall, however, Power Book III: Raising Kanan season two’s unravelling story is already compelling. These little production choices just help enhance an already remarkable foundation.

Mae Trumata

Power Book III: Raising Kanan S2 is released on 14^th August 2022.

Watch the trailer for Power Book III: Raising Kanan S2 here: