Dizzee Rascal

There is a strong stigma against Australian hip hop, but what about New Zealand hip hop? Just like with Lady Gaga, Australians wholeheartedly embrace the off beat as long as it’s imported. The growing crowd at the Enmore theatre gave Scribe a warm welcome making you wonder what he’s been up to for the last five years.

He warmed everyone up with ‘F.R.E.S.H’. He came out with old favourites giving everyone flashbacks to a time when ‘Not Many’ or ‘A Million Miles’ was the soundtrack to their life. He was aware of his role as a support act, being genuinely excited himself to see Dizzee Rascal, singing the most notable hooks in Dizzee’s songs, as much for himself as to get the crowd going.

Scribe is a big guy. He also wore sunglasses for the entire set which seemed an impersonal touch, leaving one to wonder how much he could actually see. Scribe sounds pro and not necessarily in an American way. He sounds pro because his sound is unique and instantly recognisable as Kiwi, with those commanding vocals.

His DJ looked like a regular bloke but apparently he has the magic hands and ears because Scribe said he came fourth in the world for DJing. At 30 years old it feels like not much has been going on for Scribe since he was Dizzee’s age, focusing more on his home life and children. Tonight he reminded everyone of why he shouldn’t be forgotten.

The set began with DJ Semtex on the decks, announcing in a booming voice words that would‘ve been gibberish to a different crowd - ‘Maths and English’, ‘Tongue n Cheek’ under a gigantic Dizzee Rascal background.

Stand outs from both these album featured in tonight’s show including his breakthrough songs such as ‘Sirens’ and new single ‘Dirtee Cash’. Credited with bringing grime lots of exposure, Dizzee has recently admitted he will be taking a new direction making more mainstream pop songs.

He has copped his fair share of flak for the party anthems on his most recent release. With Dizzee moving on, grime will remain in the underground. But for a guy who designed his own shoe with Nike in 2005, mainstream success is something he takes in his stride.
Dizzee Rascal’s star, at only 24 years old, is still shooting. He hit the stage blazing in a Jordan basketball singlet with a Thorn flat brimmed cap, the requisite bling and some white basketball shorts.

The Mary to his Joseph was rapper Scope with DJ Semtex on the decks. There was a half time break for the MCs who had organised the show like seasoned pros. While the rappers caught their breath, DJ Semtex kept the fans entertained with some tricky finger wobble thingies.

It wouldn’t be too big a stretch to expect that Dizzee would come out with an outfit change like a regular diva, but thankfully he didn’t.
Scope and Dizzee berated the crowd with many exclamations of ‘Fuck this shit!’ as they split the partiers in two and made them battle it out in the yelling stakes. Dizzee’s mock anger hinted at how he might react if something really angered him, like getting hit in the head with a deodorant can.

As the show hurtled on, it only picked up momentum. The last three songs were his biggest hits.

Dizzee’s call of “Give the people something they can dance to” was met with ‘Dance Wiv Me’, a certain floor filler. Dizzee’s reputation as a lady’s man wasn’t allayed as he jumped to the conclusion –

“There are so many sexy ladies here, I bet one wants to come with me on holiday”, which led into his hit of the same name.

To close, bass that was fatter than Supersize Me thumped through the theatre and everyone went ‘Bonkers’. Dizzee Rascal’s success tonight proved he knows his market and party music always has its place.

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