Dizzee Rascal "E3 AF" (2020)

 

Finding myself mildly entertained, a flick back to Raskit and Don't Gas Me confirms a dip In my personal investment. Coming of the back of strong releases, the Rascal returns with this brief thirty three minute stint that lacks a commanding grip on the listener. Flipping back and forth between dirty Grime bangers and warm friendly tracks with brighter vibes, it feels all to routine. Last outing, sixteen tracks indicated an artist in a fruitful moment, yielding invested emotional lyrics and challenging himself, pushing his craft to the edge. It had me excited for this next one.

With E3 the edge is gone, his hooks lack a spark, relying on the puns and loose rhyme links to punch a theme into the songs. Although there is topicality and Dizzee has plenty to say, his verses often fall off into the routine of braggadocio and stance affirming that doesn't seem routed in anything deeper. Moments of technicality and swift delivery are impressive but its been heard before. He has his moments but with the mediocre production of atypical beats the record feels dull and run of the mill.

With guests on all but two tracks, Dizzee gets out shined on occasion. Although not to my liking, the hyper masculine, violent raps of his friends have so much energy and immediacy they become the most memorable parts of the record, possibly for being new and fresh voices to digest. Ocean Wisdom catches the ear with his hasty wordings. The vulgar, over the top back and forth on the mic is a blast. A highlight among a record that failed to grab me despite plenty of spins.

Rating: 4/10

Dizzee Rascal "Don't Gas Me" (2018)

I really enjoyed Raskit released last year. It signaled a return to form from the UK veteran and this five track digital EP may even top it. Don't Gas Me gives off carefree vibes, artists having fun with the craft and enjoying the moment. If there was curation involved or not, these five songs are tight and precise, giving nothing but the goods. Firm instrumentals and keen rhymes let each tracks theme emerge with ease as Dizzee brings on some excellent features for the last three of five songs.

An almost cliche 90s Dance beat opens up the record with the title track. Its pumping energy, slapping claps give way to night time sirens and a dirty obnoxious synthetic base that grooves to its own accord. When Dizzee gets into his rhymes its all fun and games built on a firm flow, throwing in fun, silly rhymes about appletizer and getting his car clamped. Deeper into the track he reinforces the playful nature with goofy high pitched rhymes on the end of a string of words. Its greatly amusing while showing off his talent and ability to make great music.

Quality makes for a great follow up track as the instrumental pulls on summery 90s sounds and Dizzee gets more serious with introspective lyrics that drops into bursts of rapid rhymes. He sounds fantastic, on form. The features start with Skepta who I last heard on More Life. The two exchange verses but I think its the younger generation, P Money and especially C Cane who impress. Their youthful energy and opertunity to reach new ears plays up some fantastic flows and rhymes from the both of them.

The closing track swings things back to where it began with another 90s Dance beat and punchy synthetic base lines. Some subtle Dub vibes are brought to light as Afronaut Zu lights up the track with Reggae inflicted singing in the chorus. All in all its a fantastic but brief encounter that has a carefree Dizzee orchestrating some easily enjoyed tracks to keep fans happy until the next full length project. Wwith more songs attached this could of easily been that. These are no b-sides here.

Favorite Track: Spin Ya

Rating: 6/10

Dizzee Rascal "Raskit" (2017)

It seems to be a common theme lately that I'm checking in with artists after some absence. Dizzee Rascal's an old favorite from the pool of UK rappers, arguably the biggest to emerge from the Grime scene which exploded well over a decade ago. Its still going strong as ever today but as Dizzee wrestles with in his lyrics, hes no longer the biggest or relevant voice in the scene he once was. Times have changed and after a dip in quality on "The Fifth", "Raskit" is the rascal standing his ground, returning to roots and affirming his relevance after drifting into the mainstream with catchy singles and a weak album. "Maths And English" was my last and I adore a couple of tracks on that release, like the banging "Pussyole", an aggressive, gritty mean diss-track rapped over the classic "It Takes Two" by Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock. That was ten years ago! Time flies.

"Raskit" Is a fun record with meat to get your teeth into on the more topical tracks. Dizzee affirms himself with technically impressive flows and a plentiful passion as he goes hard on the mic with a flurry of sharp, witty rhymes and bursts of tongue twisting delivery. Sturdy from start to end the rapping is flavorful, varied and impressive but lyrically its a little varied. With a fantastic track like "Bop N Keep It Dippin" we go from an infectious hook and deep reflective rhymes on the Grime come up into "She Knows What She Wants", a cheap flirtatious throwaway with irritating repetition and cheeky rhymes. Dizzee takes us on some impressive journeys through his thoughts but also falls back on some light minded cheap thrill tracks too which break up what I think was an important focus for this album, the reflection and introspection he has at this point in his career.

Behind him an arsenal of fantastic instrumentals whirl away with deep spacious, textural baselines, sharp, snappy drums and a rich synthetic aesthetic. The beats sway between Grime and Hip Hop, on a handful of tracks diving deep into classic G-Funk vibes with audacious base grooves and ghetto whistles. Its a riot, an continual stream of beats that dips into both ends of the spectrum with "Sick A Dis" getting its teeth into classic Gime vibes with dirty, disconnected synths illuminating over a lively snap and kick drum groove. Its a stellar setting with variety that's in a jumble across the fifty seven minutes. I personally feel this album has a touch to much fluff that needs trimming out because between a couple of passable numbers there's a goldmine of talent from an artist getting back on it and striking hard.

Favorite Tracks: Focus, Wot U Gonna Do, Bop And Keep It Dippin, Everything Must Go, Slow Your Roll, Man Of The Hour

Rating: 7/10