DIZZEE RASCAL - BOY IN DA CORNER

Easily one of the top 10 hip-hop albums of the decade: Here's Why

1. This is one of those albums that you have to listen to TWICE the first listen -- meaning, you have to listen once for the beats and once for the lyrics....barely any hip-hop albums have that quality anymore.
2. That leads me to the beats -- holy crap. That is all. "Brand New Day" is the only instance of tremolo in any hip-hop track I've heard that actually works. Not to mention the whole album BANGS. I and don't mean "bangs" like a random club track from 50 Cent...I mean this will quite literally break your speakers if you play this too loud.
3. This is not only like any other hip-hop album you will ever hear, it is unlike any other GRIME album, meaning that this is one of the very few instances (along with Wiley's full-length projects) where grime can actually succeed in an album format rather than 12" singles.
4. The lyrics are sincere, raw, and unpretentious. Enough said. Where else are you going to hear an MC scream in a chipmunk voice "I'm your fitness instructor!"
5. I am not a hipster following this pitchfork "oh, north london is so exotic" trend -- I can tell you I'm a hip-hop head to fullest, and this is something that every hip-hop fan should hear, period. May 11, 2008

Freshness

Man... this album SO caught my ear the first time I heard it, I had to get it immediately. Whacked homespun electro beats, freaky self-samples, and sharp, pointed, heavily london accented spit - just awesome. Sounds like nothing else. I can listen to this over & over and it never gets old. I didn't like SHOW TIME nearly as much... it's Boy in a Corner that has the raw freshness - he may never again nail it like this again. Buy this album. March 15, 2008

Dizzee is the future

Dizzee's style will baffle you at 1st because he is so articulate and so quick with his vocal delivery. I would like to remind you that this is Grime which is British and should not be confused with rap music, there is a difference! I know you Americans have been dissing this album because you can't understand Dizzee's accent and the British slang and yet Chris Rock your most famous black comedian put this in his 25 greatest rap albums of all time!! There are too many haters out there with one track minds who like to listen to the same crap over and over, I think rap these days is so dull and repetitive and I am sick of every rapper trying to sell his gangsta image!! Buy this if you want something different! Peace all over the world.. February 18, 2008

finally...

Once again, Europe proofs that American music sucks. Dizzee's innovative ideas using grime step, old school hip hop & double time flows definitely bring something new to the table. The electronica elements create a unique, catchy sound. Really diggin' the wobbly/grimey bass which only comes to life on a good sub. Dizzee should not lose his accent. This would kill the originality of his style. I wouldn't want to hear another 50 cent, Eminem or Jay-Z dupe. The british accent is perfect for the type of music he creates. Pick this up if you're into experimental music and need something fresh. I dig every unique track on this cd so, no dissapointments here. January 1, 2008

Late American review

I'm an American chick and I LOVE Boy in da corner, but it wasn't always that way. When I first got the album and popped it in my CD player, I spat it right out, I couldn't understand it AT ALL. I put it on my shelf for like 6 months, then I went back to it because I was feeling guilty for have buying it and not really listening. I tried again, went through the tracks, still no spark, until I got to "Round We Go" is was the only track I could understand (accent wise) and then something clicked, it grew on me, then I played it like 3 times on repeat. Once I caught the bug I went to the next track "Jus a Rascal" loved that shit, and then end up listening to the whole thing. The funniest things that now "round we go" is my least favorite song. I tend like to hard ones like "Stop Dat" "Hold ya Mouf" and "Fix up Look Sharp". All the tracks are gems. *listening to "Cut em off" now*

I guess I had to train myself into understanding his accent, then I learned to appreciate the production/beats especially no rapper I've ever heard had the sound. Needless to say, this album is definitely one of my favorites of all time, maybe top 10, that's how much I love it and him.

I really thought after Dizzee there was going to be some sort of British Hip Hop invasion, but I guess I was wrong. Most of the main stream US Hip Hop fans are really one dimensional, aren't opened minded and like things that are easy too listen to. Dizzee in my opinion is better a lyricist than any US rapper at this moment, even Jay (gag) Z. I'm not giving up on the dream of some new hip hop imports, and I hope he has a new chance with "Maths and English" to spark change in American urban music, because we need help badly. I haven't heard the radio in over a year and this album is still in heavy rotation in my stereo.

I got the chance to see Dizzee in the US and his live show was just as good as the album. I got to meet afterwards, he was real cool and is all about his music, which I love.

If you don't like this album, just try it again, listen with new ears. Hear the innovation, the talent, the rhymes, and his stories they are worth listening to. I now find myself understanding every word he says even rapping along and understanding the slang, so...



June 13, 2007

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