Dizzee Rascal

At just nineteen years old Dizzee rascal is one of the few Mc's to have survived UK Garage, and the most famous member of Roll Deep, East London’s answer to the So Solid Crew.  Dizzee Rascal nee Dylan Mills grew up with a single parent on an East London council estate.  At school he was suspended from every lesson but music, and began making his own productions on the school computer.

He recorded his debut single ‘I Luv U’ shortly after joining Roll Deep.  At the time, Roll Deep were moving away from the RnB inspired Two Step and Top of the Pops friendly, garage music that was being pumped out from pirate radio stations across the UK.  So although they were still embracing the fundamentals of Garage, Dizzee and Co took this musical form to the next level.  Their music was more hardcore and angrier, created by an angry generation.  On the streets this off shoot of garage is becoming known as ‘Grime’

His debut album ‘Boy in da corner’ was released in July 2003.  Its release was due to the success of his first single ‘I Luv U’ which had become a massive underground hit and was fast becoming an over ground hit.  Shortly after the albums release Dizzee was stabbed whilst in Ayia Napa Cyprus.  With Napa’s growing reputation as the Ibiza for the urban reveller, the press was filled with negativity regarding this new urban scene.  Since then further stories of garage fuelled violence and a refusal of nightclubs and bars to play garage has forced the music into decline.  Dizzee Rascal remains the poster boy for U.K Urban music.  Shortly after his stabbing in Cyprus he won the 2003 Mercury Music Prize.  Since his win he has toured America, releasing ‘Boy in da Corner’ over there earlier this year.  Proving that his popularity is not just on the streets, the current single form his forthcoming album has been added to the Radio One play list. 

Boy in da Corner – XL Recordings 2003
Showtime – XL Recordings (to be released 2004)