Long before the UK grime scene was credited for almost getting Jeremy Corbyn elected…
…Way before Stormzy self released one of the most popular albums this year and maybe wrote the grime equivalent of Nirvana’s Nevermind…
…Far, far away in the dark ages at the dawn of this century, the legendary Dizzee Rascal was spitting out some of the most impressive grime rhymes (grhymes?) imaginable, single-handedly laying the grand foundations of the genre, and, well, and pretty much being generally awesome.
And although his pioneering spirit never actually, physically took him anywhere (except on Holiday with Calvin Harris) Fact Mag recently pointed out that Mr. Rascal has just announced his first album in four years and promised that it will constitute something of a return to form: “I wanted to use what I’ve learned to make the best rap album I could, with no hands-in-the-air moments, just using as much English slang as I could over the best beats I could find.”
Said-album is called Raskit and will be out 21 July via Dizzee’s own rascally Dirtee Stank Recordings label (you can pre-order it there right now). The album’s lead single is called “Space” and certainly delivers on his promise to be more rap-oriented. Listen to it down below (and check out the full-album tracklisting down there too). But please; out of respect for Dizzee’s intentions, try keep your hands flat on the the table, desk, or genital-region in front of you at all times while listening. Mr. Rascal thanks you in advance.
Raskit tracklisting:
01. Focus
02. Wot U Gonna Do
03. Space
04. I Ain’t Even Gonna Lie
05. How Bad Do You Want It
06. Make It Last
07. Ghost
08. Business Man
09. Bop n Keep It Dippin
10. She Knows What She Wants
11. Dummy
12. Everything Must Go
13. Slow Your Roll
14. Sicka Dis Shit
15. Way I Am
16. Man of the Hour