Dizzee Rascal

Dizzee Rascal is one of the most acclaimed and influential artists in London’s grime scene and among the most successful British rappers. His groundbreaking 2003 debut, Boy in da Corner, released when he was just 18, won the Mercury Prize and is still considered grime’s defining album. He went on to achieve major mainstream success, collaborating with international artists and earning four U.K. number-one singles from his 2009 dance-focused album Tongue N’ Cheek. Later releases like The Fifth (2013) continued his chart run, while Raskit (2017) and Don’t Take It Personal (2024) marked a return to his early grime sound.

Born Dylan Mills in East London, Dizzee grew up on a council estate and often clashed with schools, but a supportive music teacher helped steer him toward production and MCing. His raw, introspective style set him apart in the emerging grime scene. His breakthrough single “I Luv U” helped establish the genre and paved the way for Boy in da Corner. Despite being stabbed shortly before the album’s release, he recovered, won the Mercury Prize, and gained international attention.

Dizzee’s later albums included Showtime (2004) and Maths + English (2007), and he founded his own label to support younger artists. After dominating charts with Tongue N’ Cheek, he won the Brit Award for Best British Male in 2010. He continued releasing music and collaborating widely, with highlights including E3 AF (2020) and a 20th-anniversary edition of Boy in da Corner in 2023. His eighth album, Don’t Take It Personal, arrived in 2024 on his own label.