Despite the Mercury Music Prize for his debut album Boy In Da Corner (2003), the real (commercial) success for Dizzee Rascal failed to materialize. The critics walked away with the 'grime' of the young mc from East London, and his second album Showtime (2004) also received rave reviews, the general public did not want it. Dizzee's music, with aggressive raps over hard electronic beats, is too
… difficult and strange compared to hip-hop from the United States, and although just as hipper than hip, the grime hype also passed away. But Dizzee Rascal continues. On Maths + English he manages to find a good balance between the rebellious and raw of grime and a more accessible, lighter sound. Perhaps more 'hip hop' too, but without resorting to the usual clichés. Metal guitars, drum'n'bass, a sample of the Arctic Monkeys and contributions from UGK and Lily Allen all come together on Maths + English. (IV)more
