Most people will know of the artist Dizzee Rascal from his smash hits “Bonkers” and “Bassline Junkie”, released during the years 2009 to 2013.
The artist, also known as Dylan Kwabena Mills, has been considered a “Pioneer of Grime Music”. He originates from our very own east London, specifically in Bow.
Rascal began to kick off his career in 2002 when he jointly formed the 13-piece garage collective group called “Roll Deep Crew”, which was founded by rapper Wiley. Around this time, he also signed a solo record deal with Record Label XL.
Feud’s Arise
From late 2003, Rascal had an ongoing feud with another underground grime artist named Crazy Titch, which began when a fight broke out on set. This resulted in the fight being recorded amongst other early grime artists and received over a million views on YouTube. There was also two exchanging diss tracks as a result of this.
Dizzee’s first solo album, titled “Boy in Da Corner”, was released July 21 2003. It peaked at number 23 in the Top UK charts. However, the same week Rascals album was released, he was stabbed six times.
It was believed the incident was in connection to a feud with the garage act So Solid Crew and him acting inappropriately to member, Lisa Maffia.
The song “Fix Up Look Sharp” was the most popular track on his debut album, with it gaining Dizzee his first top 20 single. In September 2003, he was awarded the Mercury Prize for “Best Album of 2003”. He was the youngest person, at 19 years old, to receive the award.
The grime artist went on to release more albums titled “Showtime”, “Maths + English”, “Tongue n Cheek” and “The Fifth” between the years of 2004-2013. The album “Tongue n Cheek” included the number-one hits “Dance Wiv Me”, “Bonkers”, “Holiday” and “Dirtee Disco”.
At the 30th annual BRIT Awards, Rascal was awarded Best British Male and also performed a mash-up with popular artist Florence & The Machine titled “You Got the Dirtee Love” which was released as a charity single. The song peaked at two in the UK charts.
Honoured At UEL
In November 2013, ten years after his debut, Rascal received an honorary Doctorate of the Arts from the University of East London. The rapper was given the title for the services to the local community and the arts. He explained in an interview via the University of East London’s YouTube channel that it was considered “One of the maddest things he’s ever done. It’s amazing”.
The artist also asked what advice he would give to former UEL students. He said: “Just remember why you’re doing it, think of the future and just think about yourself”.
Controversial Figure
However, Dizzee Rascal hasn’t always had a positive image in the news. In December 2008, he was arrested following an incident involving a baseball bat taking place in South East London. He was released on bail later on in the month. He has been seen to be involved in various violent disputes throughout his career.
Earlier this month, Rascal was found guilty of assaulting his ex-partner, Cassandra Jones, at home on June 8, 2021. The dispute was said to have started over his frustration regarding the custody of his children, with him and said partner splitting after 9 years of being together.
The court heard the artist barged his way into the property, with his son under his arms. He began shouting and banged his head on the fridge three times. Rascal then accused Jones of causing injury to his arm. Jones’s mother was a witness at the scene.
When the guilty verdict was announced on Rascal, as he was leaving the court, he attacked a photographer from a Press Association by smashing his camera which was all recorded.
Brave partner Cassandra Jones spoke out after the conviction, saying: “This verdict today shows that wealth and status cannot be used to silence women,
“One in four women in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse at some point in their lifetime. I now ask for privacy to rebuild and reset.”
The grime artist is set to be sentenced on 8 April 2022.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
http://thehotline.org
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
