Dizzee Rascal Biography
Dizzee Rascal’s career in rap was set on a background of violence and drug use and it was a means of survival for a troubled and rebellious teen. Born on October 1 1985 in London, England, UK, he grew up as a child of a widowed immigrant mother in the fast-paced streets of London where he was known not only for his talent but also for the constant troubled he caused everywhere he went.
Then known as Dylan Kwabeka Mills, he was kicked out of school so many times often because of his poor grades, below average class attendance and physical confrontations with students and teachers. Dizzee believed that he was not cut out for school and despite his mother’s uncountable attempts at getting him pardoned by the school administration he still refused to attend class. He dealt with drugs and carried a gun wherever he went. A drug deal that went badly left him with multiple stab wounds which healed up but on release from hospital Dizzee was met by the police who charged and later jailed him.
Finally the tug of war with his mother over education came to a halt and he quit school completely. Priscilla Mills was not ready to feed a child who would not listen to her and she demanded that Dizzee would take care of all his needs by getting a job. Dizzee instead got a job selling his self-produced rap demos and performing in night clubs, meanwhile he looked for a label that would be willing to sign him and produce his music.
His big break came in 2003 after signing with XL Records and later producing a hit debut album titled ‘Boy in Da Corner’. Critics were full of praise over the depth of his lyrics and his unique freshness that brought a storm of revolution to garage rap. The album features singles like ‘Fix Up, Look Sharp’ and ‘I Love You’. Through the album’s success he won Planet Sound’s Album of the Year and Best Album by Mercury Prize.
‘Showtime’ was released in 2004, ‘Maths + English’ was based on the rapper’s money making skills as well as his ability to write quality lyrical content, it went on air in 2007. Hits like ‘Dirtee Money’ and ‘Dance Wiv Me’ are attributed for the success and platinum status of ‘Tongue N Cheek’, which was the rapper’s 2009 album of the year and the fourth in his rapping career.
Dizzee is known for helping amateur artists break into the music scene by allowing them to record at his recording company called ‘Dirtee Stank’. His personal experience as an aspiring artist on the streets of London, Jobless and having to work shoddy jobs while receiving no help from established recording studios, has taught him that the road to success is a painful one. It is from these experiences that he developed the heart to help those interested in becoming rappers.
Dizzee has been compared to successful rap gurus Eminem and Kanye West.
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