Dizzee: Strings Hoe
One of Raskit’s early productions from 2003, and without a doubt a standout production. The sheer grittiness captures exactly where the scene was at that moment. At the same time, the bounce of the violin injects a energy into the beat. An early example of the string led style in Grime, where chopped string samples drive that sharp, energetic rhythm.
The now iconic violin sample comes from Car Florida (1985) by John Lurie. It was produced in the Belly of the Beast studio, owned by Dizzee’s (at the time) manager and engineer Nick Cage. Much of Dizzee’s output from that era came out of that space. Whether the sample was sourced by Dizzee himself or pulled from Cage’s library isn’t entirely clear, but either way it helped shape a new sound in Grime.
The riddim has stayed a classic for over two decades. It even saw a bootleg pressing in 2004, cut from a dubplate rip, hence the subtle crackle you still hear at the start of every version. It was later repressed for the 20th anniversary of Boy in da Corner, though that version is likely a rip of a rip, as the original files appear to be lost.
More recently, it was reimagined by Dot Rotten—who we sadly lost earlier this year—in Chip’s track Legend.
Still, for all its history, nothing tops that legendary clip of D Double E from the Conflict DVD, during the clash between Crazy Titch and Dizzee. It remains one of Grime’s most iconic moments.
Big up Dizzee and every MC which spat on this.
ID’s in comments.
Nah, F*•k OfF!
This piece is my tribute to Dizzee Rascal — not just the artist, but the personality behind the name. I wanted the image to reflect the many sides of him: the legend, the presence, the style, but also the humour and positivity he brings so naturally.
His comical and positive social media posts can instantly lift your mood. There is an energy to him that feels genuine — playful, sharp, charismatic, and full of life. I wanted that to come through in this artwork by layering different versions of Dizzee together, showing both the iconic figure people know and the vibrant character that makes people smile.
The colours, textures, and scattered moments all come together to create something that feels bold, lively, and larger than life, which feels fitting for someone who has had such a lasting impact on music and culture while still carrying that feel-good energy.
A true original with talent, humour, and a vibe that is impossible to ignore.
@dizzeerascal
#art #creativity #dizzeerascal #positivity #grime
DIZZEE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD
Came across an old interview with Dizzee Rascal from 2004 in US magazine Blender that captures a very specific moment — not just in his career, but in how grime was first being presented to an international audience.
His first US excursion saw him perform live on Jimmy Kimmel, be on a SXSW bill with Bun B and Paul Wall and do his first solo show on the back of a flatbed truck. However his comparisons as the "British 50 Cent" and "exotic beats and twang" speak to an audience who were yet to understand who he or his sound really were.
Footage from the 2004 Volume show provided by PUNKCAST 🎥
Link in bio 📝🔒
I was at the Benn vs Eubank Jr fight saying to myself I need to do a show here, a few weeks later the offer came in. Big up @saracensofficial for the Hospitality and big up everyone at Tottenham stadium yesterday. 👊🏾
