Dizzee Rascal finally ran out of the way. The British grime legend’s career began with 2003’s stunning “Boy in Da Corner” and has seen its share of ups and downs over the next 20 years. He collaborated with Robbie Williams, indulged in dance-pop and turned his back on grime for a long time, alienating his legions of fans and the British music scene.
Following the reappearance of Raskit who made a glorious comeback in 2017, the old Dizzee is back. No more chasing trends or pandering to an audience that never existed, just pure grime. He subsequently launched the similar electric E3 AF in 2020.
Which brings us to Don’t Take It Personal , his first album in four years. It is also Dizzee Rascal’s first album since his 2022 conviction for assaulting his ex-partner. It’s at this point that Don’t Take It Personal – an album that celebrates grime and its predecessors Jungle and Garage – hits rock bottom. .
You Can Have Dat tells his side of the violent incident which led to him being sentenced to a community order. On the track, he rudely raps: “Show me my kids, you motherfucker ’cause I’m their dad/Let me play my part, we’re better apart,” which makes him sound like A London landmark to climb up and dress up as Batman.
Then in the second verse, Deeds, who is about to turn 40, accuses his ex-fiancée (with whom he has two children) of being a money-worshipper.
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Deeds was always light years ahead of his time, but he seems to have been left far behind by those he paved the way for. He no longer has Dave’s insight, nor the urgency of the midfielder. Other contemporaries such as Skepta, Cano and Giggs have matured and are more dynamic.
The frenzied single “What You Know About That,” featuring JME and D Double E, is a high point and a pure throwback to Dizzee Rascal’s mid-2000s heyday, with the trio effortlessly swashbuckling over a grime beat amped up for a stadium crowd. Swap bars.
Dizzee still sounds like the Dizzee who revolutionized the British music scene (a fact he reminds people of several times on the album), but like a boxer who hangs on for too long, the grime legend has lost his Fist, and all that’s left is a lingering bitterness.
Release date: February 9, 2024
Record label: Big Dirtee
Listen to “Don’t Take It Personal” below:
