Dizzee Rascal a.k.a. Dylan Kwabena Mills, is one of the best-loved musicians post-Millennium in the UK, erupting into mainstream consciousness during the Grime explosion in 2003.
Since then the rapper has had huge success with hits such as “Bonkers,” “Holiday” and “Dance Wiv Me,” however it’s almost universally agreed nothing could ever top his debut album, the masterful Boy In Da Corner. Released in 2003, the album went on to claim the acclaimed Mercury Music Prize awarded for the most challenging and sublime individual LP over the year.
Boy In Da Corner broke unthinkable boundaries for UK rap, going on to establish a scene that brought the distinguished UK underground into the spotlight and churning out an abundance of wordsmiths, groups, beatmakers and creatives. It was an inspiring time in UK music where the Britpop of the 90s had died a death and a new raw working class subculture found direction.
Over 13 years later, the album remains an integral part of musical history, however Dizzee has rarely played the masterpiece live in full—until now with the announcement of his inclusion in the RBMA New York 2016 lineup alongside Kamasi Washington, Pharoah Sanders, Anohni and even Spike Lee.
The announcement has been met with controversy however, with a number of people questioning why Dizzee decided not to play the whole album in his homeland. An online petition has been set up by members of the British public to try and persuade the East Londoner to perform the album in the UK.
The event will take place on May 6 and will be showcased across a variety of venues over the boroughs, more info can be found here.
Hopefully New Yorkers will even get to experience the majestic “2 Far” featuring the undisputed godfather of Grime, Wiley. The two have had a patchy relationship since 2003, however more recently the pair have been on speaking terms and seem to have resolved their differences.
Expect this show to be one to remember.
