|
|
UKMusic.com Ltd
Copyright © 2007
All Rights Reserved
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Feb
09
2004
|
Dizzy Rascal |
|
|
|
Sunday, 08 February 2004 |
 Following a major bidding war, Dizzee Rascal signed to XL Recordings in 2003. I Luv You - made when he was 16 was already a street anthem before its debut in the singles chart; its initial vinyl run sold out in days. And when the album Boy In Da Corner"š hit the shelves, it set off a tidal wave of critical acclaim and an insatiable appetite to understand Dizzee.
Chantelle Fiddy recruited the assistance of 15-year-old dedicated fan Djahmyne Stewart to interview the guy who's part responsible for making ghetto life"š this season's new black.
Dizzee Rascal, real name Dylan Mills, isn't the average 18-year-old. Of African descent, he was born and raised in Bow, east London. Rising through the pirate radio ranks as a teen, his production talent was nurtured by his school music teacher Mr Smith. And sure enough, as his street fanbase grew so did the record companies"š attention span for his off-key, minimalist beats and conscious lyricism dealing with teenage pregnancy, life in the inner city, suicide and the reality of being Dizzee Rascal.
Unsurprisingly a Mercury Music Prize nomination and win followed. But it hasn't been all plain sailing.
In July 2003, Dizzee Rascal was the victim of an allegedly unprovoked attack in the holiday resort of Ayia Napa. Pulled from his bike, he received multiple stab wounds but survived, although physical and mental scars will be carried for life. Not one to dwell on the negatives however, Dizzee is eager to lay down the quandaries of months gone by.
THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
JS: What do you think of the music industry, particularly in the UK?
It's full of people who've got nothing to do with music to be honest. They're just in it.
CF: When you started out how did do you go about getting booked for raves?
I just turned up, I used to go down to youth club raves, pay to get in if need be, get on the mic and MC. That's where all the grimy people are, the ones where you can go wrong. If people don't feel you they'll show you.
CF: Do artists need to be careful about who they chose as a manager?
Of course. It should be someone you trust, don't be fooled by someone who looks the part, and says 'I'm a manager.' Look into them.
CF: What were the first interviews you did like?
Nerve wracking cause It's questions I'm not used to. When you've got a street attitude you can be kinda ignorant so somebody might ask me a question and I'll be like 'what! I don't wanna answer that.' But it's about applying yourself.
THE BOY IN DA CORNER
JS: What inspires your life?
Life in general, I like girls, money"¦
JS: In music, what are you about?
I try and say some positive things for the young but I'm not a role model, I like to think of myself more as an inspiration for kids to carry on what they're doing.
CF: Some fans may have been surprised your album was so down tempo compared to tracks like Ho and Go"¦
Basically the sound of Ho and Go was a certain tempo good to MC to, but I was really into jungle before that and I always loved that tempo but I've always wanted to try rap too. Versatility, you can't have an album full of one thing.
CF: Why did you decide to produce the whole album yourself?
It wasn't a decision it was just me rollin', making my tunes, just doing it and I'm very independent when it comes to making my music and that.
CF: UK artists still don't get treated like American artists do they?
Out there it's million dollar deals and that. Thing is I've been broke, and I've had money from underground, grands in my shoebox and that. That's why its good to stay low, not through fear but just to mind your business. I'm not trying to shine, but I'm not on that tip there, when I wanna floss and that I'll do it but I'm not trying to show nothing. I've been spending money on things that are going to last and I will make more money off.
JS: Does politics play a role in music?
I don't know. In the sense they scapegoat music, yes. They need to stop that because violence is violence, music is music, sometimes it coincides, but you can't generalise.
CF: Do you vote?
I haven't done before but I can now I'm 18. I think I should. I'd vote for me. I'd put myself up for election! I'd vote for someone who was no-one just put the odds up for them.
CF: How's it different being a solo artist to being a crew member?
I left Roll Deep, in Napa innit. Wiley's doing his thing, they're all blessed and that but I'm just Dizzee Rascal. I've been solo for ages anyway really. I been like that before you even knew, as you get deeper in your thing some people go separate ways innit.
CF: With the Napa situation, we know it's quite a closed subject but are you cool now?
Yeh, just a bit scarred up. I've been through a lot, I mean I keep saying I'm from road, I've lived a violent life, but this is more serious, it's public. If I would have got stabbed here (points to shoulder), it might have been so minor I might not have told no one.
CF: Did you ever think you were going to die?
Nah, It wasn't like an ambulance ting where I was laying on the floor in a pool of blood like they're saying, someone took me (to hospital) on a ped. There was a chance I could have died, yeh, but all I got is scars all over me, I'll show you"¦(Dizzee reveals scars to the chest and back). You appreciate life more, don't get me wrong, I was laying in that hospital coughing blood all night. That's real (he laughs) you understand?
CF: What ran thorough your head when it was happening to you?
Boy, it wasn't really thoughts, just so much adrenalin, swinging, just all madness"¦I've said what I'm gonna say about it, I don't care if people talk. My moral is road is road, music is music. I ain't ever gonna speak.
FUTURE
CF: The Mercury nomination, congratulations, was it a big shock to you?
I didn't know what it was! I was like 'Oh! Heavy! I'd like on of those.' When I heard the other names nominated I thought about it and I remembered it was what Ms Dynamite won last year. So I was like 'Woah! Alright then.'
JS: Is trying to break America on the cards for you?
I want to break the world! I want to represent England we've sat back for too long like we've got nothing to say.
JS: What would you still like to achieve?
I'd like my own massive record label and to run it.
JS: What can we expect from you in the future?
More good music, more talent, hopefully to bring through some new talent. I'm already working on the next album and people have said it's better than the first already!
MR SMITH, Dizzee's teacher and mentor,
CF: What was it about Dizzee that stood out?
He came into the classroom really knowing what he wanted to do. The way he went about it was so different to what other students did, it stood out and had the wow factor.
CF: On a production level, do girls come with a different sound to boys?
Yes. And there's a growing trend, more girls are getting into production. They tend to be less rough, want their sound less raw, unedited which is what makes a lot of the current productions stand out.
CF: What advice would you give ?
On the internet you can download a version of Cake Walk which is free and it will allow you to start creating rhythmic tracks even without a keyboard to do it, using a paintbrush. Also develop your critical awareness, be willing to make change.
CF: Have you and Dizzee collaborated before?
Some of his early stuff had a bit of me in there. I'd love to in the future but who knows!
Words: Djahmyne Stewart and Chantelle Fiddy
Boy In Da Corner is in stores now.
A VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE APPEARED IN THE 2003 UMS MAGAZINE
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
