Dizzee Rascal Biography
Springing out of the British garage scene (also known as 2-step, described by the Denver Post as a "percussive, invigorating hybrid of American R&B melody, groove-driven drum ’n’ bass beats and a pinch of smooth reggae-style toasting"), East London rapper Dizzee Rascal eschewed a past filled with crime and danger to become an award-winning MC and, as the Financial Times called him, "one of British pop's fastest rising stars."
Born Dylan Mills in 1985, in Bow, East London, he was raised by his single mother following the death of his father. In an interview with the Guardian, Mills said, "I grew up and learnt to hold my own. My mum was doing two people’s jobs. It makes you grow up early. There’s less people to talk to, less close people, innit? You’re going to end up being lonely because you think a bit more. I had to learn to be a man myself." On his way to being a man, though, Mills lived fast and hard, getting expelled four times from four different schools. Before rapping and producing noisy and mechanical beats, it seemed Rascal's first passion was troublemaking, and one can easily see how the artist earned his nickname. Mills said in his official website biography, "My teachers all called me rascal." According to All Music Guide, Mills was involved in fighting teachers, stealing cars and robbing pizza delivery men before he settled down, and channeled his aggression into making music. Mills told the Guardian, "In the end, music was the only option open to me. It was a blessing I pursued it. I put all my energies into it. I didn’t care about no other subjects. I’d have just ended up carrying on a life of crime, I suppose. I would have done anything to get money. Where I’m from, there ain’t a lot of other options, you know what I’m saying?"
Though he was an aspiring DJ, Mills began recording music on a school computer, and soon found himself dreaming about becoming an MC on a local pirate radio station. Mills was soon appearing on pirate radio, rapping over whatever beats were available at the studios. His delivery, however, was more erratic and unhinged than other MC's experimenting with the British garage and 2-step style that was becoming popular at the time. He told the Guardian, "I always ended up shouting and screaming." The Boston Herald described his style as sounding like, "Busta Rhymes after downing one thermos of coffee too many."
Born Dylan Mills in 1985, in Bow, East London, he was raised by his single mother following the death of his father. In an interview with the Guardian, Mills said, "I grew up and learnt to hold my own. My mum was doing two people’s jobs. It makes you grow up early. There’s less people to talk to, less close people, innit? You’re going to end up being lonely because you think a bit more. I had to learn to be a man myself." On his way to being a man, though, Mills lived fast and hard, getting expelled four times from four different schools. Before rapping and producing noisy and mechanical beats, it seemed Rascal's first passion was troublemaking, and one can easily see how the artist earned his nickname. Mills said in his official website biography, "My teachers all called me rascal." According to All Music Guide, Mills was involved in fighting teachers, stealing cars and robbing pizza delivery men before he settled down, and channeled his aggression into making music. Mills told the Guardian, "In the end, music was the only option open to me. It was a blessing I pursued it. I put all my energies into it. I didn’t care about no other subjects. I’d have just ended up carrying on a life of crime, I suppose. I would have done anything to get money. Where I’m from, there ain’t a lot of other options, you know what I’m saying?"
Though he was an aspiring DJ, Mills began recording music on a school computer, and soon found himself dreaming about becoming an MC on a local pirate radio station. Mills was soon appearing on pirate radio, rapping over whatever beats were available at the studios. His delivery, however, was more erratic and unhinged than other MC's experimenting with the British garage and 2-step style that was becoming popular at the time. He told the Guardian, "I always ended up shouting and screaming." The Boston Herald described his style as sounding like, "Busta Rhymes after downing one thermos of coffee too many."
Profile
Born Dylan Mills c. 1985, in Bow, East London, England.
Contact Information
Address: Record companies--XL Recordings, One Codrington Mews, London W11 2EH, England, website: http://www.xlrecordings.com. Matador Records, 625 Broadway, 12th Fl., New York, NY 10012
Website: http://www.xlrecordings.com
Website: http://www.xlrecordings.com
Back
Top