Dizzee Rascal: Tongue N’ Cheek (Dirtee Stank)

By Ben Liew  •  13 Oct 2009 in Review

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Moving away from his grime roots, Mercury Prize-winner MC Dizzee Rascal hits back pop-dance stylee with his 4th studio album. 

From the get-go, Tongue N’ Cheek’s bouncy album opener ‘Bonkers’ produced by Armand Van Helden prepares you for what’s to come – full on electro basslines, accessible hip hop and lyrical entertainment. No surprise to see frequent collaborator Calvin Harris here producing 2 of Dizzee’s tracks (‘Dance Wiv Me’ and ‘Holiday’). Big is the name of the game and Calvin’s signature stabbing synths adds to the dance factor. More traditional hip hop fans (like our own Kevin Yeoh) might not like the jerky beats, but Dizzee’s bullet-spitting vocals will get you nodding.

And it’s not all fun and games as Dizzee downshifts with ‘Leisure’, a conscious attack on the MTV-glamourised hip hop lifestyle that sees Dizzee advising the “yout” to ditch gang culture. Trance guru Tiësto also big up the beats on this album. Tongue N’ Cheek might not come up to par with his 2002 breakout Boy in da Corner, but no doubt he’s still having fun doing it.

Listen to: ‘Dance Wiv Me’
If you like this you’ll dig: Kano, Wiley, Sway, Lady Sovereign, Calvin Harris

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci40ae8BlcE[/youtube]