Fresh on the heels of the Bun B-assisted lead single “Where’s Da G’s,” the third full-length from English MC Dizzee Rascal has finally taken its stateside bow. Released on April 29th via Definitive Jux, Maths + English, finds the UK phenom at the top of his game. Waving the Union Jack and Stars and Bars with equal pride, Dizzee invited guests from both sides of the pond to add their talents to his genre-defying concoction of crunk, drum and bass, classic old school rap and grime. In addition to the aforementioned UGK cameo, British hitmakers, Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner and Lily Allen also lend their vocals to the proceedings. The freshly-released album includes several bonus tracks (both digitally and physically) not originally available on the UK version, in addition to tracks exclusive to iTunes, eMusic, and Amazon’s digital store.
Later this month, Dizzee embarks on a North American tour with labelmate El-P (whose recently-launched blog, Bastards Delight, is definitely worth checking out). Chicago spitsmiths Kidz in the Hall will join the Def Jux duo for dates in New York and Philly, while LA-based Busdriver will tag along through the Minneapolis date. And, of course, last but not least, still rolling on the wild success of None Shall Pass, Def Jux mainstay Aesop Rock will take the stage at Webster Hall in NYC and at the 1015 in San Francisco.
Listen to Dizzee Rascal “Where’s Da G’s” feat. Bun B from Maths + English (Definitive Jux):http://dailyrindblog.com/audio/dizzeerascal_wheresdags.mp3
Watch Dizzee Rascal “Where’s Da G’s” feat. Bun B from Maths + English (Definitive Jux):
http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?vid=215497
Watch Dizzee Rascal’s 4-minute freestyle on AOL’s 16 Bars:
http://music.aol.com/16-bars/dizzee-rascal/
Watch Dizzee Rascal’s hip-hop slang lessons on AOL Music:
http://www.spinner.com/2008/03/18/the-dl-hip-hop-slang-lesson-1/
http://www.spinner.com/2008/03/25/the-dl-hip-hop-slang-lesson-2/
http://www.spinner.com/2008/04/01/the-dl-hip-hop-slang-lesson-3/
http://www.spinner.com/2008/04/09/the-dl-hip-hop-slang-lesson-4/
What the Press is Saying:
Dizzee’s despairing wail, focused anger, and cutting sonics places him on the front lines in the battle against a stultifying Britain, just as Pete Townshend, Johnny Rotten, and Morrissey have been in the past. - Pitchfork Media
The best rapper this(The UK) country’s ever produced, period…. Next to Dizzee Rascal everybody looks pale, uninteresting and irrelevant. – UNCUT Magazine
An eclectic, break-dance-worthy Slick Rick reincarnation. – Entertainment Weekly
Brilliantly original. – MOJO
Dizzee Rascal delivered forty minutes of blistering, grimy hip-hop. The set drew heavily from his latest, Maths + English (finally seeing a physical U.S. release April 29 after being out in the U.K. for nearly a year) – Rollingstone Magazine (on 2008 SXSW performance)
Fans were treated to a talented MC with a crew who likes shout-outs and shoes. His set drew as much from excellent early material as it did from Maths + English, and the high-BPM beats kept the show flowing and energetic. – Pitchfork Media (on 2008 SXSW performance)
This U.K. rapper is the reason anyone knows “grime” is a music genre. – Wired Magazine
Dizzee Rascal Tour Dates (with El-P)
May 8 - 9:30 Club, D.C. *
May 9 - First Unitarian Church, Philly **
May 10 - Webster Hall, NYC ***
May 11- Middles East, Boston *
May 12 - New Capital Music Hall, Ottawa *
May 13 - Crofoot Ballroom, Detroit *
May 14 - The Abbey Pub, Chicago *
May 16 - Triple Rock Club, Minneapolis *
May 19 - Neumos, Seattle
May 20 - Berbatis Pan, Portland
May 21 - 1015, San Francisco #
May 22 - El Rey, Los Angeles
* w/ Busdriver
** w/ Busdriver + Kidz In The Hall
*** w/ Busdriver + Kidz In The Hall + Aesop Rock
# w/ Aesop Rock