Dizzee Rascal - 'Boy In Da Corner' (XL)
4/5
By: Thomas Hannan
Hear that? Every MC in the business, that's the sound of their jaws dropping to the floor.
What the hell is this? This, boys and girls, is Dizzee Rascal. Remember that name. Although recently in the headlines for being on the receiving end of a rather unpleasant stabbing in Ayia Napa (best wishes for the recovery with that one, fella), you can expect people to be talking about this sprightly 18-year-old Londoner for all the right reasons very soon. He's gone and made a record, you see - one which could prove to be quite monumental.
If you're looking for a tune, you're in for a long hard search. Conventional beat-structures are pretty few and far between also. Everything about 'Boy In Da Corner' aims to stand out from the pack. And, as with all aces of the genre, lyrics are where Dizzee Rascal succeeds in doing that best, spitting aggression over some red-hot ragga bass-lines and using brutal honesty with wild abandon. Young but by no means childish, it's a record which uses its lack of years to its advantage. Not once does it sound laboured or contrived, instead the vibrancy of it all points to a man with so many fresh ideas running out of his mouth he can't get them down on record quick enough. Perhaps it explains 'Boy In Da Corner's relentless pace to an extent, speeding past the listener before they've really had a chance to take any of it in. Grab a passing morsel though, and the focus and self-belief about it all are staggering.
Standout track and forthcoming single 'Fix Up, Look Sharp' (sampling 80s rockers Billy Squier) is one of those tunes you can expect to hear every damn time you turn on a radio. Yet, it's merely one of a smattering of brilliant songs, the infectious candidate for future single 'Jus A Rascal' and mature beyond its years contemplation of 'Brand New Day', amongst others, putting in some stunning appearances, all examples of dependable originality.
Mike Skinner of The Streets recently proclaimed Dizzee to be 'the future', and he wasn't joshing. Fittingly thus, if you need one, The Streets are a good touch-point for the Rascal's work; echoes of Mr Skinner's output can be found here occasionally, but quite literally, without the irony of it all. There is a sense of humour, a welcome ability Dizzee Rascal has to poke fun at himself ('I wear my trousers ridiculously large'), but it's used to add a bit of colour to some otherwise relatively bleak situations rather than as a gadget for quick laughs. Take the witty, but thought-provoking, recent single 'I Luv U' for example, which, despite lacking anything regarding melody, is so addictive and exceptionally clever you can even forgive Dizzee his constant use of such 'crazy spelling'.
Sure, if you're not from the 'hood (and let's face it, most of us aren't) these places he rhymes about might seem a world away. But hey, there's nothing wrong with a little bit of escapism, even if it takes you no further than East London. And yes, his work is an acquired taste that can start to grate somewhat on his less instantly accessible moments, but eventually even these become highlights. It's a record with depth, its instantly lovable moments becoming mere afterthoughts once the full ambience of the more experimental tracks is given enough time to work its magic. An entirely refreshing listen, albeit with no sensationalism, no stories of a hip-hop high-life - just a straight-up and brutal dose of reality. His approach is the wake-up call UK rap (and perhaps the genre worldwide) has needed, such words of wisdom a blueprint that needs to be followed.
'MCs better start chatting about what's really happening' - listen to the Rascal, for he speaks the truth.
Artists in this article: Dizzee Rascal
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