Dizzee Rascal - London Kentish Town Forum - 4/11/04
4/5
By: Thomas Hannan
What a sense of unity. To call Dizzee Rascal a prodigal son would be to miss the point somewhat, as regardless of the success of his two albums, he never really left East London. Sure, he's conquered the UK, had a crack at the US (and, boy, does it show - this isn't the same Rascal that stepped up cautiously to the stage at this summer's All Tomorrow's Parties festival, that's for sure), but he took with him songs about the homeland. Such is the magic of second LP 'Showtime', even those with the most limited imaginations can be transported to Dizzee's world regardless of whereabouts they find themselves. But in this place, at this time, surrounded by this crowd, you're very much listening to the songs in context.
We're in 'aaandaan sitty!' make no mistake. The two words are shouted at the end of every song. Our MC is at pains to make us feel proud of the grit and grime of capital living, and chooses a set to emphasise just what gems can come out of that dirt. The set's full of either Bow-boy done good tales that litter 'Showtime', or the 'dare me to make it' confrontation of the cuts on 'Boy In Da Corner'. The lad known to his mum (and probably a good few others in the venue tonight - shout-outs to his 'East London crew' nearly bring the house down) as Dylan has learned a lot of things since, but most notable is the ability to work a crowd.
For an opening 'Sittin' Here', he does just sit there, in the middle of the stage, in front of the decks, curled up like a ball, hood covering his face. And already, he owns the place. It's the kind of trick that means you get cheered just for standing up. His numerous a capellas are a joy to behold. His shouts out to the 'West London ghetto' even get a cheer, despite nobody being entirely sure where precisely the west London ghetto is. When he talks of his experiences of being the 'UK rapper stabbed in 'Napa, cause of gossip, cause of chatter', he points to his scars. To do which, he naturally has to remove his shirt. And doesn't look one bit surprised by the screams this generates.
One more advantage to the hometown crowd is not feeling the need to pepper the set with hits - this lot would, and almost do, eat out of his hands. So it's album-track heavy almost right up until the encore, only a devastatingly bass-heavy 'I Luv U' getting an airing before the break. Speaking of which, it's difficult to ignore quite how revolutionary said-track sounds - years on and still nobody else comes across anywhere near this dangerous. 'Jezebel' too is a telling commentary on teenage pregnancy, and 'Learn' sounds so vital it's as if it was written solely for the purpose of being played right here and right now.
Only 'Dream', the bastardised Captain Sensible novelty, brings things down somewhat. It works on the album as a respite from the thick darkness, but could paint the Rascal in the wrong light with its current single-release. Especially when, as the encore proves, the rest of the singles in his cannon are so much more exciting - a trio of 'Jus' A Rascal', huge-sounding 'Fix Up, Look Sharp' and the formidably catchy 'Stand Up Tall' to end things off is nothing to be argued with. Something to dance along to though, that's for sure.
Artists in this article: Dizzee Rascal
Your Feedback
Login to post your comment