Dizzee Rascal, the British grime MC, rapper, and record producer, rose to fame in the early 2000s with hits like “Fix Up, Look Sharp” and “Bonkers.” He has been a mainstay of the UK rap and electronic music scene for over 20 years now. But is he still actively touring and performing?
Brief Background on Dizzee Rascal
Dizzee Rascal, real name Dylan Mills, was born in London in 1985. He started making music and performing as a teenager, pioneering the grime genre which blends UK garage, jungle, rap, and dance music. His debut album Boy in da Corner, released in 2003 when he was just 18 years old, was a critical and commercial success. It won the prestigious Mercury Prize for best album in 2004.
Dizzee went on to release 4 more studio albums from 2007 to 2013, scoring top 10 UK hits like “Dance Wiv Me,” “Bonkers,” and “Holiday.” He also collaborated with artists like Calvin Harris and Robbie Williams. His music combines raw emotion and lyricism with infectious beats and hooks. Dizzee is considered one of the most influential rappers and producers to come out of the UK.
Key Questions
– Has Dizzee Rascal released any new music or projects in the past few years?
– Has he been actively touring worldwide or just in the UK recently?
– How have his live shows been received by fans and critics if he has been touring?
– What are Dizzee’s future plans for new music, tours, or other projects?
Recent Releases and Projects
Dizzee Rascal has remained prolific when it comes to releasing new music and projects in the past few years, though he hasn’t put out a full studio album since 2013’s The Fifth. Some key releases include:
2016 – “Wot U Gonna Do” Single
This bass-heavy grime anthem featuring Giggs gave fans a taste of Dizzee’s signature high octane production. It reached #33 on the UK Singles Chart.
2017 – Raskit
Raskit represented Dizzee’s 6th studio album, though it was technically released as a mixtape. It included the singles “Wot U Gonna Do” and “Space” along with 10 new tracks showcasing Dizzee’s playlists lyrical skills. Raskit reached #13 in the UK.
2018 – “Money Right” Single
This club-ready, upbeat track saw Dizzee team up once again with grime star Giggs along with producer Teddy. It reached #35 on the UK Singles Chart.
2020 – E3 AF EP
Dizzee’s latest release is this 5-track EP including singles “Vex” and “Act Like You Know” featuring Chronixx. It incorporates hip hop, dancehall, and Afrobeats styles. The EP was generally well received by critics and fans.
So while he hasn’t put out a full album in several years, Dizzee Rascal has continued dropping singles, EPs, and mixtapes to give fans fresh music.
Touring and Live Performances
Along with occasional releases, Dizzee Rascal has remained in-demand for live shows over the past several years. He has been actively touring, though mostly limited to shows across the UK and Europe along with some international festival appearances.
UK and European Touring
Some highlights of Dizzee’s recent UK touring include:
– 2017 – Supported The Foo Fighters during their stadium and arena tour across the UK and Ireland. He performed at major venues like London Stadium and Manchester Etihad Stadium.
– 2018 – Embarked on a 15 date arena tour across the UK focused on festivals and university shows. He performed at venues like O2 Academy Brixton and Liverpool University.
– 2019 – Did a mini 3-date UK tour hitting major festivals like TRNSMT in Scotland along with shows in Ibiza, Spain.
– 2021 – Performed at festivals like Reading/Leeds and Isle of Wight along with a 12-date UK arena tour in November/December.
So while not touring every single year, Dizzee has made sure to do regular tours focused on the UK festival circuit and arenas when he has new music to promote.
International Shows and Festivals
In addition to UK and European tours, some of Dizzee Rascal’s recent international live shows have included:
– 2016 – Performed at Splendour in the Grass festival in Australia
– 2017 – Did a mini tour in Australia including shows in Sydney and Melbourne
– 2018 – Performed at Club Med World Cup in France and Lake Future Festival in Switzerland
– 2019 – Appeared at festivals like Projekt Clubnight Festival in Poland and Taico Club in Italy
– 2021 – Did a show in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
While not extensively touring worldwide, Dizzee makes sure to book international festivals and dates in various countries each year between UK touring.
Live Show Reception
By most accounts, Dizzee Rascal remains a dynamic live performer. Reviews of his recent shows generally praise his high energy sets blending hit songs with new material:
– NME reviewed his 2021 arena tour setlist as “bursting with the chart smashes you’d hope for delivered with the verve you’d expect.”
– Clash said his 2019 TRNSMT festival set was “a masterclass in control and delivery, peppered with a few newer cuts that draw from the very best of his back catalogue.”
– The AU Review noted during his 2017 Australia tour that he “might be a music veteran but he still brings the infectious energy of a newcomer.”
So while he’s been in the game for 20+ years, Dizzee’s live performances still elicit positive fan reactions for their lively atmosphere and engaging setlists.
Future Plans
As for Dizzee Rascal’s future plans, in various interviews over the past year he has hinted at both new music and more touring:
New Music
– In a 2021 radio interview, Dizzee stated he has “loads of new music ready to go” and that fans can expect more singles and EPs rather than a full album.
– He said he’s been inspired to go in a “fun and free” musical direction blending genres.
– This indicates he will likely continue dropping periodic singles and short projects that showcase his creative energy.
Touring
– In the same interview, Dizzee expressed wanting to do more international dates going forward: “I definitely want to tour the globe again soon.”
– Specifically, he mentioned wanting to set up shows in the US, Canada, South America, and Asia.
– He said fans can expect him back on the road once he releases more new music.
So Dizzee Rascal seems intent on putting out fresh material intermittently while ramping up his international live shows again post-pandemic. His energy and love for performing seem as strong as ever over 20 years into his career.
Conclusion
In summary:
Key Points
– While he hasn’t released a full studio album since 2013, Dizzee Rascal has continued to drop periodic singles, EPs, and mixtapes in recent years proving he is still musically active.
– He has toured consistently across the UK, Europe, and parts of the world doing festivals and arena shows to support new releases.
– Reviews of Dizzee’s recent live shows have been positive, praising his dynamic performances and strong catalog of hits.
– Dizzee has hinted he plans to release more new music soon and wants to tour more extensively worldwide in the future.
So based on his steady output of new material and live touring activity focused mostly in the UK and Europe, it’s clear that Dizzee Rascal is still very much active in music and touring, with likely more to come for longtime fans worldwide. While he may never recapture the commercial success of his early years, Dizzee remains a vibrant force in grime and UK rap as he heads towards nearly 25 years in the game.
Year | Releases | Touring & Live Shows |
---|---|---|
2016 | “Wot U Gonna Do” single | Splendour in the Grass Australia |
2017 | Raskit mixtape | Foo Fighters tour support UK/Ireland Australia mini tour |
2018 | “Money Right” single | 15 date UK arena tour World Cup France, Lake Festival Switzerland |
2019 | TRNSMT Scotland, gigs in Ibiza, Poland, Italy | |
2020 | E3 AF EP | |
2021 | Reading/Leeds, Isle of Wight, 12 date UK arena tour, Dubai show |
Conclusion
Dizzee Rascal remains an active force in UK rap and grime through his live shows and occasional new releases. By many accounts his concerts still bring high energy sets for longtime fans. While focused recently on his native UK and Europe for touring, Dizzee hopes to expand to more countries soon. At nearly 40 years old, his passion for music and performing seems unwavering. So expect more lively Dizzee Rascal shows and creative output in the coming years as he cements his legacy as a pioneer of grime music.