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
Respect Me
Dizzee Rascal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
do it how they didn't want to do it now they want to try and do it but I'm tellin them no
I'm in a predicament with imitators want to take my style and other bit of my flow
all this copy cattin on my lyrics that ya chattin betta stop until the gunshot's blow
do you really want it coz i really want to give it if you do just let me know
i show arrogance and elegance
but no tolerance for nonsense
killer M-see leave no evidence
I've got brains and intelligence
but no conscience no innocence
we roll in the darkened silence
represent us in any residence
and i swing for your chin with no hesitense
imma captain ya betta bring your regiments
and your a failure don't have no relevance
imma champion and a victor prick ya
so not ready so til ya see ya soul
headed for the golden gates
no really you monkeys are playin with hate
not guerilla warfare it's the coppers i carry this stick for
plus I've had enough of these
lil cheek comin from fake M-see's
bad minders and sket ladies
talkin about how it used to be
well it's a brand new day
so leave me be
i don't need you so don't need me
your opinion don't interest me
don't like me that's fine by me
coz from holly street to hollywood its all good
from new york ta your cool its all cool
your a fool if ya think i'm gonna cease
now honestly could there really be peace
it don't seem that way to tough
stop with the games i play to rough
must be smokin to much puff
divert or be deceased
u.k rapper stabbed in nappa
cause of gossip cause of chatter
he's still breathin he's still a dapper
retaliate with gun clapper
truthfully i can't see very well
don't flatter your self your any girl
them boy's shoulda said need ta hell
now prepare for the beast
you people gonna respect me
better make you respect me x4
you people are gonna respect me if it kills you x2
(alright verse two i swear)
endless speculation I'm facin
constant controversial relations
to gun crime at garage events
with so many claims and no evidence
suggesting I'm the reason
for the UK gun clap season
I'm legal may i stress
to the fool for the sake of
strident intelligence
go ahead check my files all day
bit of criminal damage and T-D-A
might be a little bit of violent disorder
but i ain't never been locked away
got some mates that have been convicted
yer so what it's the hand life dealt them
we weren't blessed with the systems T-L-see
government shoulda tried ta help them
been law breaker ain't tryna hide it
as for the sentence ain't tryna ride it
i stopped that so i could do this
I'm legit ya may as well kiss my
A-S-S P-L-E-A-S-E I'm L-E-G-I-T
you ain't got nothin on me
but to the pricks who think I'm slack-in
please don't ever be fooled I'm pack-in
this is a welcome and its a warning
please don't ever just think I'm rappin
you know the score I'm raw from day
still dylan the villain from around the way
feel free to quote anything i say
please don't ever just think I'm chattin
people gonna respect me
i better make you respect me x4
you people gonna respect me if it kills you x3
i know what your thinkin it's gone to far now innit
fuck it
if i don't speak who's gonna speak for me
stand up for myself in this shit
so fuck you
unapoligetic
can't be, never have been, won't be a prick
yer that's it
In Dizzee Rascal's song Respect Me, the rapper confronts those who imitate him and those who doubt his legitimacy. The lyrics speak to a sense of arrogance and confidence, with Dizzee refusing to tolerate any nonsense or disrespect. He raises the issue of copycats wanting to take his style and flow, and warns them to stop before any gunshots are fired. The chorus repeats the phrase "you people gonna respect me, if it kills you," emphasizing the importance of being treated with the respect he feels he deserves.
The second verse references the constant speculation and controversy surrounding Dizzee's involvement with gun crime at garage events. He defends himself, claiming to be legal and legit, with only a few minor brushes with the law. He calls out the government for failing to provide support for young people who have been convicted, and challenges anyone who doubts his authenticity to step up and face him.
Overall, the song seems to be a response to Dizzee Rascal's critics and detractors, who question his credibility and accuse him of perpetuating violence and crime. He asserts his position as a champion and victor, and warns anyone who dares to cross him or his crew to be prepared for the consequences.
Line by Line Meaning
do it how they didn't want to do it now they want to try and do it but I'm tellin them no
I refuse to let imitators copy my style even though they originally didn't want to do it themselves.
I'm in a predicament with imitators want to take my style and other bit of my flow
I'm in a difficult situation because my imitators want to steal my flow and mimic my style.
all this copy cattin on my lyrics that ya chattin betta stop until the gunshot's blow
Cease your imitation of my lyrics or face the consequences, it's your choice.
do you really want it coz i really want to give it if you do just let me know
If you genuinely want to challenge me, let me know because I'm willing to give you a run for your money.
i show arrogance and elegance
I display a confident and sophisticated demeanor.
but no tolerance for nonsense
I don't have any patience for foolishness or stupidity.
i bring violence I'm a nuisance
I have the potential to be violent and disruptive.
killer M-see leave no evidence
I'm a killer on the mic, untraceable, and can't be matched.
I've got brains and intelligence
I possess both intellect and wisdom.
but no conscience no innocence
I'm devoid of morality and not innocent in my actions.
we roll in the darkened silence
I and my crew move in stealth and secrecy.
represent us in any residence
We will be welcomed and respected in any neighborhood.
and i swing for your chin with no hesitense
I strike without delay or fear.
imma captain ya betta bring your regiments
I'm a leader in this game, so bring your best troops if you want to try and challenge me.
and your a failure don't have no relevance
You're not relevant, and your attempts to challenge me will be futile.
imma champion and a victor prick ya
I'm a winner and a champion, and I'm going to beat you and make you feel embarrassed.
so not ready so til ya see ya soul
You're unprepared for the battle, and I'll defeat you easily.
headed for the golden gates
You're headed for destruction or death.
no really you monkeys are playin with hate
You're hateful and spiteful, and I'm not going to tolerate it.
not guerilla warfare it's the coppers i carry this stick for
I'm not in war with other artists, but I have this weapon to protect myself from the police.
plus I've had enough of these lil cheek comin from fake M-see's
I'm fed up with these wannabe rappers disrespecting me.
bad minders and sket ladies talkin about how it used to be
Gossipy haters and females are reminiscing about how things used to be.
well it's a brand new day so leave me be
It's a new era, so let me do my own thing.
i don't need you so don't need me
I don't require your help, nor do I want you around me.
your opinion don't interest me
What you think doesn't matter to me.
don't like me that's fine by me
If you don't like me, it doesn't affect me.
coz from holly street to hollywood its all good
I'm accepted and respected from my hometown to Hollywood.
from new york ta your cool its all cool
Whether it's New York or your hometown, I'm still a respected figure.
your a fool if ya think i'm gonna cease
You're foolish if you believe I'll ever stop being successful.
now honestly could there really be peace
Is it feasible that there can be peace between us?
it don't seem that way to tough
It doesn't look likely, considering our ongoing beef.
stop with the games i play to rough
Stop playing games because I'm not somebody to mess with.
must be smokin to much puff
You're delusional or under the influence of drugs.
divert or be deceased
Stay away from me, or you'll face the consequences.
u.k rapper stabbed in nappa cause of gossip cause of chatter
A UK rapper was stabbed in Napa because of rumors and talk.
he's still breathin he's still a dapper
Despite the attack, he's still alive and well.
retaliate with gun clapper
He'll come back at his attackers with firearms.
truthfully i can't see very well
Honestly, I have difficulty seeing the truth in this situation.
don't flatter your self your any girl
Don't overestimate yourself – you're nothing special.
them boy's shoulda said need ta hell
They should have told you to go to hell.
now prepare for the beast
Get ready to face a formidable opponent.
endless speculation I'm facin
I'm consistently facing baseless rumors and guesses.
constant controversial relations
I always seem to be in the midst of polarizing issues or problematic circumstances.
to gun crime at garage events
I'm often linked to gun-related crimes that occur at garage events.
with so many claims and no evidence
So many accusations have been made against me, but there's no evidence to support them.
suggesting I'm the reason for the UK gun clap season
People are suggesting that I'm responsible for the increase in gun-related incidents in the UK.
I'm legal may i stress
I'm operating within the confines of the law.
to the fool for the sake of strident intelligence
I'm making it clear to the foolish that I'm intelligent and aware of what's going on.
go ahead check my files all day
You can investigate me continuously all you want.
bit of criminal damage and T-D-A
I have a history of causing minor criminal damage and disorder.
might be a little bit of violent disorder
I've been involved in minor violent incidents, but nothing major.
but i ain't never been locked away
I've never been incarcerated or imprisoned.
got some mates that have been convicted
Some of my friends have been found guilty of a crime.
yer so what it's the hand life dealt them
So what? It's the life they were given, and they have to live with it.
we weren't blessed with the systems T-L-see
The system didn't work for us or help us out.
government shoulda tried ta help them
The government should have offered assistance to those who needed it.
been law breaker ain't tryna hide it
I've broken the law before, and I'm not trying to conceal that fact.
as for the sentence ain't tryna ride it
I'll face the consequences of my actions and accept my punishment.
i stopped that so i could do this
I've left the past behind and moved on to something new.
I'm legit ya may as well kiss my A-S-S P-L-E-A-S-E I'm L-E-G-I-T
I'm legitimate, so you might as well kiss my ass.
you ain't got nothin on me
You don't have any incriminating evidence against me.
but to the pricks who think I'm slack-in
To those who think I'm falling behind or regressing.
please don't ever be fooled I'm pack-in
Don't be deceived – I'm always prepared and ready for anything.
this is a welcome and its a warning
This is a warning to newcomers in the game.
please don't ever just think I'm rappin
Don't underestimate me by thinking of me just as a rapper.
people gonna respect me
I demand and deserve respect from others.
i better make you respect me
I'll do whatever it takes to make people respect me.
i know what your thinkin it's gone to far now innit
I know what you're probably thinking – things have gotten out of hand.
fuck it
I don't care what you think; I'll do what I want.
if i don't speak who's gonna speak for me
If I don't stand up for myself, who will?
stand up for myself in this shit
I have to fight for myself in this difficult industry.
so fuck you
I don't care about your opinion, and I'll do what I want.
unapoligetic
I'm unapologetic and not sorry.
can't be, never have been, won't be a prick
I'm not a bad person, and I never have been nor will I ever be.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DYLAN KWABENA MILLS, WAYNE GARDNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind