Artist: Dizzee Rascal Album: Maths + English

Year: 2007
Duration: 0:0-1

Dizzee Rascal's Maths + English: A Critical Review of an Iconic Album

Dizzee Rascal is one of the most important artists in Grime, a genre of music that originated in East London in the early 2000s. He was one of the pioneers who pushed the boundaries of this genre and broke through to mainstream success. Maths + English, released in 2007, is his third studio album and one of the most emblematic works of Grime. In this blog post, we are going to critically review the album, exploring its history, music genre, best songs, most innovative parts, and ultimately, determining how it has stood the test of time.

First, a brief history of the artist: Dizzee Rascal was born Dylan Mills in 1984 in London. He grew up in Bow, East London, and was exposed to Grime music from a young age. He began making music himself as a teenager and released his debut album, Boy in Da Corner, in 2003. The album received critical acclaim and won the Mercury Prize, a prestigious UK music award. He continued to release music throughout the 2000s, becoming one of the most famous and successful Grime artists of the time.

Now, let's talk about the music genre of Maths + English. Grime is characterized by its fast-paced beats, rapid-fire lyrics, and raw, urban sound. It often features political and social commentary as well. Maths + English fits this mold perfectly, with its gritty, aggressive beats and Dizzee's fierce delivery. However, the album also experiments with other genres, such as dancehall and electro, giving it a unique and diverse sound.

Next, let's discuss the best songs of the album. There are many standout tracks on Maths + English, but a few in particular stand out. Pussyole (Old Skool) is a bold and powerful track that takes aim at people who doubt Dizzee's credibility in the Grime scene. Where's Da G's is another standout, with its haunting, atmospheric beat and intense lyrics. Finally, Sirens is a genre-bending track that mixes Grime with elements of dancehall and dubstep.

Moving on to the most innovative parts of the album, it's clear that Dizzee was not afraid to take risks and experiment with new sounds and ideas. For example, the track Wanna Be features a sample from the classic song Smile by Nat King Cole, giving it a unique and unexpected vibe. The album also features several collaborations with other artists, such as UGK and Lily Allen, showcasing Dizzee's versatility and willingness to collaborate with other musicians.

Finally, let's get into the critic of the album. While Maths + English is undoubtedly a groundbreaking and influential album, it does have its flaws. Some of the tracks can feel repetitive or derivative, and at times the lyrics can be hard to follow. Additionally, some of the features can feel like they overshadow Dizzee himself, taking away from his unique voice and style.

In conclusion, Dizzee Rascal's Maths + English is an iconic album that helped define the Grime genre and solidified Dizzee's place as one of its most important artists. It features standout tracks and innovative production, but also has some flaws that can make it feel disjointed at times. Nevertheless, it remains an essential listen for anyone interested in Grime music or modern UK hip-hop.

In conclusion, Dizzee Rascal's Maths + English is an iconic album that helped define the Grime genre and solidified Dizzee's place as one of its most important artists. It features standout tracks and innovative production, but also has some flaws that can make it feel disjointed at times. Nevertheless, it remains an essential listen for anyone interested in Grime music or modern UK hip-hop.