Dizzee Rascal :
Boy In Da Corner

Release Date: 21 July 2003

Reviewed By: Dani Boobyer

1. Sittin' Here

2. Stop Dat

3. I Luv U

4. Brand New Day

5. 2 Far - Wiley

6. Fix Up, Look Sharp

7. Cut Em' Off

8. Hold Ya Mouf, God's Gift

9. Round We Go

10. Jus' A Rascal

11. Wot U On?

12. Jezebel

13. Seems 2 Be

14. Live O

15. Do It

Obie Trice - Cheers
Read Review

2003 saw the arrival of a rare phenomenon on the British urban music scene, a home-grown artist with the potential to end the US domination of hip hop. An artist who stopped trying to imitate his American counterparts, unlike so many other British artists, and was making innovative music, with a distinctly British sound. That artist was 19-year-old Dizzee Rascal.

His explosive Mercury Music Price winning debut album ‘Boy In Da Corner’ has the rebellion, confrontation and fury of a punk album. Self-penned and produced, the album turns Rascal into the latest spokesperson for a generation.

Dizzee sits in the corner, watching, contemplating his future, while everyone around him wastes theirs. The album‘s fifteen tracks tell the story of growing up on an inner-city council estate, taking the listener on a journey through teenage pregnancy, violence, survival, loveless relationships, poverty, disillusionment and the loss of youth. All this is complemented by eardrum bursting baselines, scattered beats and oriental riffs, with police sirens, Playstation effects and gun shots thrown in to create an uneasy, disorientating sound, that further reflects Dizzee’s confused state of mind.

The album’s high point is a trio of brilliant singles - ‘I Luv U‘, featuring a robotic female MC, the unforgettable ‘Jus’ A Rascal‘, with a mock choir introducing his arrival, and the anthemic ‘Fix Up, Look Sharp‘, overlaying rock vocals onto his signature pounding bassline and hard raps.

Other outstanding tracks include the cautionary ‘Round We Go‘, a warning against loveless relationships, and ‘Brand New Day’ comparing his past and present to mourn the rise of gun culture in his neighbourhood.

"There's a lot of hostility near my gates/ We used 2 fight with kids from other estates/ Now eight millimetres settle debates," he raps over an oriental riff, giving the track a nostalgic atmosphere and adding a sense of poignancy.

Ironically, the album’s few bad points are also its strengths. The first few spins are not easy listening, as neither his beats or rapping style sound like anything you’ve heard before. It isn’t garage or dance, but it isn’t quite drum ’n’ bass or hip hop. But that’s because Dizzee’s flow is unique.

He doesn’t adopt American slang or a fake accent, he is London thru and thru. And that’s what puts his music in a class of its own.

Like the Beatles and the Sex Pistols before him Dizzee has created a sound that is energetic, original and distinctly British. The chances are he might be able to recreate some of the success they enjoyed stateside as well.

Although his whiney voice can be off-putting, Dizzee’s raw, honest lyrics - dealing with real issues - will keep you from switching your CD player off.

A groundbreaking debut, which should finally shatter any misconception that the UK can’t cut it in the international urban music scene.

Top Three Tracks:

10) Jus’ A Rascal
6) Fix Up, Look Sharp
3) I Luv U

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z