Dizzee Rascal is easily the most acclaimed and influential artist associated with London’s grime scene, and one of the most successful British rappers of all time. His widely praised 2003 debut, Boy in da Corner, released when the innovative MC and producer was only 18, won the U.K.’s prestigious Mercury Prize and remains the definitive grime full-length.
Since then, he’s catapulted to international stardom, working with artists such as Calvin Harris, Arctic Monkeys, and Shakira, and scoring four U.K. number one hits off his fourth album, 2009’s dance-oriented Tongue N’ Cheek. Another chart-friendly release, 2013’s The Fifth, sported hit collaborations with will.i.am and Robbie Williams. He’s returned to his earlier grime sound with subsequent albums like Raskit (2017) and Don’t Take It Personal (2024).