The New Style Needs Some Work

Dizzee Rascal – the name itself is silly. The artist though has a bit more behind him than his name. Nineteen-year-old Rascal’s debut album Boy In Da Corner is getting much play and notice from music critics. People are saying that he is the start of the “new sound” coming from England, a new style of hip-hop. While different, it isn’t necessarily amazing.The beats on Boy In Da Corner are rough and mechanical. An apparent love for old school Roland 808 and 404 synths and drum machines is very noticeable, giving listeners a little throwback to the past days of hip-hop. Unfortunately, these sounds, along with many of the beeps and drones (which sound similar to 1980’s era video game music), tend to drown his voice out, especially when they are in the same key as his vocals. This makes it hard to hear his voice, which unlike many artists, Dizzee has a soft-spoken tonality.

Rascal’s electronic dance influences are easily seen, especially with the speed at which his tracks go. Similar in many ways to Drum and Bass, they are fast, abrasive, and almost obnoxious at times.

Lyrically this album is very personal. Almost all the songs talk about himself, not in an egotistical way but moreso to paint a portrait of who he is, which is refreshing in this current stage in hip-hop. His slight accent also gives a refreshing change from straight-up “gangsta.”

This album would be a better debut if the music didn’t overshadow his lyrical content. At times one will think that Dizzee is the one making the beats, not rhyming.