<copy><![CDATA[Dizzee Rascal doesnΓÇÖt hang around. At 16, fresh out of school, he was writing underground dance music and making his name as a pirate radio MC. By 17, before even landing a record deal, he warmed up for Jay-Z in concert at Wembley Arena. After a furious bidding war he was eventually signed by respected independent XL Recordings, and finally, in July last year, his debut album hit the streets. Boy in da Corner was hailed by many critics as the album of the year and went on to win the Mercury Music Prize. It took elements of garage, hip-hop and ragga and fused them to create a truly original, distinctly UK sound. The bad boy from Bow, east London, was still only 18. But shortly before the albumΓÇÖs release, while holidaying in Ayia Napa in Cyprus (garage musicΓÇÖs Ibiza), the young rapper was stabbed five times. Early reports suggested the attack was by fans of south London rivals So Solid Crew. He was lucky to survive, but continued unperturbed with his promotional work for the album, picked up his Mercury prize and embarked on an international tour. Perhaps more importantly he went straight back in the studio. Which is why, a mere 14 months after Boy in da CornerΓÇÖs release, I meet the teenager (who turns 20 this month) to talk about his follow-up long player, Showtime. ΓÇ£I wanted to keep the momentum going,ΓÇ¥ he says, much more softly spoken than on record. ΓÇ£After the first one I wanted to show my further capabilities, thatΓÇÖs why I called it Showtime because itΓÇÖs a progression, a development from the last one.ΓÇ¥ It is certainly more diverse. Where Boy in da Corner was exciting because it was so raw, uncompromising and angry, Showtime works because it encompasses a broader range of emotions. There is still anger aplenty, but it is tempered by humour and hope. The album is still rooted in the terrifying world of the ghetto, but it suggests Dizzee is escaping the cycle of violence, crime and teenage pregnancy that surrounded him as he grew up. ΓÇ£This time around I wanted to show another side of my music. If music's real it's going to show up all aspects of feeling.ΓÇ¥ One of the recordΓÇÖs angrier moments comes on the growling, menacing Respect Me. I ask what provoked that anger. ΓÇ£That was the first track I did when I came back [from Ayia Napa]. I was still stitched up in the [recording] booth. I was stitched up and all that s*** was kinda fresh.ΓÇ¥ He pauses, then lifts his T-shirt to reveal a horrific scar over his right pectoral muscle. It has twisted into a sizeable lump and looks like a tumour. It doesnΓÇÖt take a doctor to know that had it been a couple of inches to the left then he would have died on the Greek island. Elsewhere on Showtime, however, violent imagery is matched with humour. On Everywhere he raps: ΓÇ£IΓÇÖm five ten slim / chocolate skin / IΓÇÖll punch you in your nostrils / IΓÇÖll punch you in your skin / But I ainΓÇÖt mad / IΓÇÖm a lovely lad / IΓÇÖll give you the loveliest beating that youΓÇÖve ever had.ΓÇ¥ And on Dream he samples Captain SensibleΓÇÖs cheesy 1982 hit Happy Talk to create a kind of urban nursery rhyme that, amazingly, works. Generally, though, the album is still very sparse musically, putting the lyrics centre stage. But it is easier on the ear than Boy... and consequently more accessible. Has his target audience changed? ΓÇ£I understood that with my first album it had become worldwide. And as an entertainer itΓÇÖs kind of your duty to branch out if you know more people are listening. This album really gets me away from that whole garage MC thing.ΓÇ¥ Is that something he is keen to distance himself from? ΓÇ£ItΓÇÖs something that I can look back on my career as my first stepping stone,ΓÇ¥ he says carefully. To be fair, Dizzee hasnΓÇÖt made standard garage records for years. "ThatΓÇÖs why I stood out in the first place because songs like I Luv U [his first single after signing to XL] werenΓÇÖt strict garage. So I was part of that at one time, but now IΓÇÖm taking my whole thing to the next level.ΓÇ¥ While Dizzee may be moving on, with fame and fortune come new problems. ΓÇ£I try to stay as focused on what IΓÇÖve gotta do as possible. ThereΓÇÖs a lot to get caught up in. Everything is just more extreme now, innit?ΓÇ¥ Having said that, he seems remarkably unfazed by the changes of the last two years. Yet when I ask how his friends have responded he sounds less confident. ΓÇ£Some people are happy for you, some people kind of start to perceive you a bit different. ItΓÇÖs all varied, but IΓÇÖm a person that has always done what I have to do.ΓÇ¥ I get a sense that he is experiencing the isolation that can come with success, but he strikes me as tough enough to handle it. Is he still living in east London? ΓÇ£I live in London!ΓÇ¥ he says, laughing. So thatΓÇÖs a no then. Does he think thereΓÇÖs a danger he could lose touch with the streets? ΓÇ£The streets are never hard to keep in touch with. Three people I know got shot in one month, man. YouΓÇÖre never short of a story.ΓÇ¥ Before Boy in da Corner, Dizzee had never left the country, but now he has toured America, Australia, Japan and most of Europe. This month it starts all over again as he takes Showtime on the road. So, has he had time to start working on his third album? ΓÇ£Little bits of writing and that, but I ainΓÇÖt really been able to get to the studio. IΓÇÖve just finished doing promo for the first one and IΓÇÖve gone straight onto promo for this one.ΓÇ¥ But even discovering the downside of working so fast doesnΓÇÖt seem to have slowed him down. ΓÇ£I want to come with the third one, IΓÇÖd like to bring that out. If I canΓÇÖt do it next year, the year after definitely.ΓÇ¥ Interview over, as I pack up my dictaphone Dizzee heads for the drum kit in the corner of the room and starts hammering away. HeΓÇÖs no Keith Moon, but heΓÇÖs not bad. I ask if we will hear some live drumming from him on the next album. ΓÇ£Maybe, man,ΓÇ¥ he says, grinning. An acoustic Dizzee Rascal album? You heard it here first. Dizzee Rascal will be appearing at the Academy, Glasgow, on October 22, then Leeds University (23), Academy, Manchester (27), Academy, Birmingham (28), Dome, Brighton (29), UEA, Norwich (31), Academy, Bristol (Nov 2), Forum, London (4).]]></copy>
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<quote><![CDATA[The brilliant Dizzee Rascal is back with a boneshaking new album after his brush with death. James Hopkirk finds him fixed up and looking sharp]]></quote>
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<quote><![CDATA[The brilliant Dizzee Rascal is back with a boneshaking new album after his brush with death. James Hopkirk finds him fixed up and looking sharp]]></quote>
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