Dizzee began MCing on pirate radio and at raves at fifteen, but since his mainstream success he has distanced himself from the fledgling scene. Rascal grew up in the East End of London in south Bow in a council estate, raised by his single mother, a Ghanaian immigrant. Little is known about his father, though it is thought that he died when Mills was two. He attributes his musical development to a school teacher who allowed him to skip regular classes and spend time working on music on the school computers.
His music is an eclectic mixture of garage and hip-hop beats with an extremely broad palette of influences, ranging from metal guitars to found sounds, drill and bass synth lines, eclectic samples and even Japanese court music. His vocal performance is also distinctive, he uses a fast version of rapping (known as 'spitting') which blends elements from garage MCing, conventional rap, grime and ragga.
Dizzee Rascal has numerous rivals within the Grime scene, mainly from the Bow, East London area. A notable rival of Dizzee Rascal is Crazy Titch who produced and recorded a diss called "Just An Arsehole" which used the backing track of Dizzee's record of "Jus A Rascal".
Dizzee Rascal has had international endorsements deals with urban brand Ecko and designed his own shoe with Nike. He has also worked with cross genre artist, Beck, on a remix of the song Hell Yes.
He released his debut album in 2003, which was called Boy In Da Corner, winning him the 2003 Mercury Prize. His second album Showtime was released in 2004. His third effort, Maths and English was released in 2007. All three albums received critical acclaim. He experienced commercial success in 2008 when Dance Wiv Me reached the number one spot in the UK charts. His fourth album, Tongue n' Cheek was released in 2009, going platinum for sales exceeding 300,000 units in the UK. Dizzee Rascal's album The Fifth was released in 2013, the same year he received an honorary Doctorate of the Arts from the University of East London.
In 2017, Rascal released Raskit, which as well as building on his sound heralded a return on some songs to the grime sound of his earlier albums.
Discography:
Studio albums:
2003: Boy in da Corner
2004: Showtime
2007: Maths + English
2009: Tongue n' Cheek
2013: The Fifth
2017: Raskit
2020: E3 AF
2024: Don't Take It Personal
Do It
Dizzee Rascal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's real out here
like no one understands sometimes
People can really see what's going on
Like people are just, just going mad in front of me, you get me?
Everyone's growing up too fast, I swear
Feds don't understand us, adults don't understand us
No one understands us
(Yo) It's Rasket, shout out to all the mad dem
Yo, I'm reppin' I'm trying listen, yo (yo)
Sometimes I wake up wishing I could sleep for ever
I spend my whole life tryna pull myself together
Tryna reassure myself that I ain't going mad (going mad)
I've gotta come to a conclusion it's now or never
Sometimes I wake up wishing I could sleep for years (years)
I've been through anger, pain, blood, sweat, and tears
You think that any kid in my position would be glad (you would)
It's quite the opposite more worries more fears (more fears)
Sometimes I wake up wishing I could sleep for days (days)
It's like I've lost the love I'm only in it 'cause it pays
I find myself back on road things are getting bad
More and more I'm going back to my old ways
Sometimes I wake up wishing I could sleep for good
And if I had the guts to end it all, believe I would
It's getting boring always being miserable and sad
Shit, I would love to be polite I really wish I could
But life's pressures often get me down
Sometimes I feel there's not a lot to smile about so I frown
And I talk a big whole heap of badness
Because my life's a big whole heap of madness
I've seen a lot maybe more than I can take (real)
Under pressure everyday trying not to brake
But I'll survive cause it's what I do best (you get me?)
I'm a challenger put me to the test
Sleep tight everything will be alright (gonna be alright)
By the end of the night, will be the day
Just pray that you see it, strong you gotta be it (see it)
If you want to get through it, stretch your mind to the limit
You can do it
Sleep tight everything will be alright (gonna be alright, believe me)
By the end of the night, will be the day (focus)
Just pray that you see it, strong you gotta be it (don't watch no one)
If you want to get through it, stretch your mind to the limit
It's almost like I've got no world on my shoulder sometimes
Yo I struggle sometimes, you know I'm hating petty crimes
But we live in hard times
No one to turn to and no one to talk to
Life's like a doorway, everybody walk through
Everybody's talking but nobody's listening
Everyday some new shit, week out and week in
All this negativity, why you tryna get at me
All up in my life (wah), where do you get the energy
I don't feel well, but you still bother me
You're giving me a headache man you might as well just clobber me
Blood, lately I've been lonely, but you only phone me
When you want a favor then you wonder why I'm moany
Don't really ask much so I don't owe much
Don't receive a lot of love, so I don't show much
But the little that I do I put it in a song for you
Handle your business 'cause I do, listen
Sleep tight everything will be alright
By the end of the night, will be the day
Just pray that you see it, strong you gotta be it
If you want to get through it, stretch your mind to the limit (comin' back to you)
You can do it
Sleep tight everything will be alright (gonna be alright)
By the end of the night, will be the day (focus)
Just pray that you see it, strong you gotta be it
If you want to get through it, stretch your mind to the limit
You can do it
Shout to all the young boys
E3, do your thing
But I swear to you school
Get what you can out of school (Rasket from Bow E3, that Dizzee Rascal from Bow E3)
It's real out here
Shout out to everyone still hustling
Make it focus, I swear to you
you can do anything, for real (Dizzee Rascal from Bow E3)
I need to talk more
Dizzee Rascal's song Do It delves into the nuances of growing up and dealing with the pressures of life. The opening lines set the tone and mood for the rest of the song, as Dizzee talks about the struggles of life and how no one truly understands it all. He touches upon the fact that everyone is growing up too fast, which can often leave the younger generation feeling lost and alone. The first verse talks about how he wishes to escape from this monotonous life and to end it all, but then comes to the conclusion that he can't, as there's more to life than just the present struggles. The chorus is a reminder that everything will work out in the end if we keep pushing ourselves to the limit, even if it seems difficult and challenging.
The second verse is a commentary on the current state of society, with Dizzee pointing out how everyone is talking but no one is listening. He talks about how negativity is pervasive, and it's tough not to get caught up in it. Despite all the struggles, Dizzee remains hopeful and says that he'll handle his business and expects others to do the same.
Overall, the song is about persevering through adversity and pushing oneself to the limit to achieve happiness and success in the end.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, It's real out here like no one understands sometimes
Sometimes the world seems so real, but no one around me seems to comprehend or relate to what I'm experiencing.
People can really see what's going on
I feel like people can truly see the struggles and pain that I go through on a daily basis.
Like people are just, just going mad in front of me, you get me
It feels like people around me are losing their minds due to the difficult circumstances we face.
Everyone's growing up too fast, I swear
The pressure of life is causing everyone around me to mature and age faster than they should be.
Feds don't understand us, adults don't understand us
Even those in authority or older generations don't seem to understand the trials and tribulations that we face as young people.
No one understands us
Overall, it feels like nobody can truly understand the situations or feelings that we face on a daily basis.
We just live do what we do like, It's real
Despite everything, we keep living and doing what we must because the struggles we face are an undeniable reality.
Sometimes I wake up wishing I could sleep for ever
At times, life feels so unbearable that I wish I could just go to sleep and never wake up again.
Tryna' reassure myself that I ain't going mad
In order to deal with the pressures of life, I try to convince myself that I'm not losing my mind.
Sometimes I wake up wishing I could sleep for years
At times, the pain and hardship that I face seems like it will never end and I wish for the relief that a long sleep might provide.
Its quite the opposite more worries more fears
However, the reality is that every day brings new challenges and more things to worry about, leaving me with even more fear and anxiety.
Sometimes I wake up wishing I could sleep for days
Other times, I just wish that I could escape from my problems for a few days and rest my mind.
More and more I'm going back to my old ways
As life gets harder, I find myself resorting to old habits and coping mechanisms that might not be healthy or productive.
And if I had the guts to end it all believe I would
Sometimes, my pain and hopelessness feel so overwhelming that I contemplate ending my own life, if only I had the strength to do it.
It's getting boring always being miserable and sad
The constant pain, sadness, and stress of everyday life is becoming monotonous and unbearable.
Shit I would love to be polite I really wish I could
Despite my rough exterior, I actually wish I could be more kind and polite to others, but life's challenges make it difficult.
Sometimes I feel there's not a lot to smile about so I frown
Overall, the difficulties of life make it hard for me to find things that make me happy or want to smile, so I often feel down and unhappy.
I've seen a lot maybe more than I can take
Over the years, I've experienced so much pain and hardship that sometimes it feels like I can't handle any more.
But I'll survive cause it's what I do best
Despite everything, I know that somehow I'll make it through because surviving and persevering is something that I'm good at doing.
It's almost like I've got no world on my shoulder sometimes
The weight of the world and all my problems can sometimes feel like they're crushing me and that I have no one to turn to for support.
All this negativity, why you tryna get at me
The constant negativity and criticism from others can feel overwhelming and make it even harder to cope with life's challenges.
Blud lately I've been lonely, but you only fone me
Despite feeling very alone and isolated recently, the only time that some people ever reach out to me is when they need something from me.
Don't receive a lot of love, so I don't show much
Because I don't receive a lot of love or support from others, it can be hard for me to show love or affection to those around me.
If you want to get through it, stretch your mind to the limit
The only way to get through life's struggles is to push yourself to the very limit and try to expand your ways of thinking and coping.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Dylan Kwabena Mills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@c0rry
[Dizzee Rascal - Talking]
Oh, It's real out here like no one understands sometimes
If people could see what's really going on
Like people are just, just going mad in front of me, you get me
Everyone's growing up too fast, I swear
Feds don't understand us, adults don't understand us
No one understands us
We just live do what we do like, It's real
It's Raskit, shout out to all the mandem
Yo, I'm repping I'm trying listen, Yo
[Verse 1]
Sometimes I wake up wishing I could sleep forever
I spend my whole life tryna' pull myself together
Tryna' reassure myself that I ain't going mad
I've gotta come to a conclusion, it's now or never
Sometimes I wake up wishing I could sleep for years
I've been through anger, pain, blood sweat and tears
You'd think that any kid in my position would be glad
Quite the opposite; more worries more fears
Sometimes I wake up wishing I could sleep for days
It's like I've lost the love, I'm only in it cause it pays
I find myself back on road, things are getting bad
More and more I'm going back to my old ways
Sometimes I wake up wishing I could sleep for good
And if I had the guts to end it all, believe I would
It's getting boring always being miserable and sad
Shit I would love to be polite, I really wish I could
But life's pressures often get me down
Sometimes I feel there's not a lot to smile about so I frown
And I talk a big whole heap of badness
Because my life's a big whole heap of madness
I've seen a lot, maybe more than I can take
Under pressure everyday trying not to break
But I'll survive cause it's what I do best
I'm a challenger put me to the test
[Hook - 2X]
Sleep tight, everything will be alright
By the end of the night will be the day, just
Pray that you see it, strong you gotta be it
If you wanna get through it, stretch your mind to the limit
You can do it
[Verse 2]
It's almost like I've got the world on my shoulders sometimes
Yo I struggle sometimes, you know I'm hating petty crimes
But we live in hard times
No one to turn to and no one to talk to
Life's like a doorway, everybody walk through
Everybody's talking but nobody's listening
Everyday some new shit, week out and week in
All this negativity, why you tryna' get at me
All up in my life, rahhh where do you get the energy?
I don't feel well, but you still bother me
You're giving me a headache man, you might as well just clobber me
Blud lately I've been lonely, but you only phone me
When you want a favour then you wonder why I'm moany
Don't really ask much so I don't owe much
Don't receive a lot of love, so I don't show much
But the little that I do I put it in this song for you
Handle your business cause I do, listen
[Hook - 2X]
@yasminasset6920
over my life I've probably listened to this tune over 500 times. thanks dizzee.
@dnfrd2
man ive probably listened to this 500 time this week whats wrong with u an im no new comer either
@dnfrd2
hail up yasmin, same
@dnfrd2
@@yasminasset6920 how we keep it christmas day, hail up https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpfpURoPHD8&ab_channel=silverdrizzle
@yasminasset6920
@@dnfrd2 I had this album when i was 11 im now 28 and still have it so to be honest i've listened to this more times then ever could be counted the whole album got me through my life. And thats on facts.
@HarrowNigga
@@dnfrd2 the difference between your first 2 comments are literally character development lol
@floydgondolli7321
Im not even from UK but I swear this song is timeless. Should be considered one of the great songs
@jasnploy
definitely one of the most introspective albums i've ever encountered and especially incredible for being only 16-17 when he recorded this album
@pie579
This song reminds me of going to high school in the morning with my iPod and its still dark out
@mazzamanrob5249
Miss these Grime tunes Dizzee use to do :(