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
Vexed
Dizzee Rascal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't want to hear no more talk, you get me?
no more talk man
I've heard baretalk (that Dizzee Rascal's so rude)
Like, half the people talking don't even know me
(I know what everyone thinks)
I do what I want, you get me (and ask no one for nothing)
(didn't ask no one nothing)
Ha, okay I don't want to get vexed
That's why I'm just trying to keep my cool, you get me?
I don't want to lose it
I can't believe I got people chattin' shit, left, right and center
I'll never watch what I say
I say what the fuck I want, I don't care who you are (naw man)
I don't care who I offend or nothing (suck yuh)
I won't be silenced (look uh)
Look, I'm showing you my life's more deep than you think (uh huh)
At nights, I get a little less sleep than you think (really)
Something keeps me up, I can't even get a wink
And there's no point in trying, so I lay there and blink
I'm showing you, I feel more stressed than you see
But my business is my business and I keep it all to me
I've done a lot of work for you to see me where I be
But lately I sense you don't want to set me free
And lately, there's been controversy seen around my name (ok)
But fuck you cause I ain't playing your game (naw)
My attitude, my language, they ain't used to it (ok)
But I ain't, UK garage so (get me) get used to it
'Cause I was raised an only child, not a brother, not a sis
And raised around hate, not a hug, not a kiss (naw)
Before this I was just a failure in the mist
And I made it through the front, I can't let you take a piss, so
I don't want to get vexed
And I don't want to lose my cool
But I ain't gonna let that boy come around, try take me for no fool (fool)
I ain't gonna let that boy come around, I'm reaching for my tool (tool)
I ain't gonna let that boy get flash, I'll smash his head on the wall
So, I don't want to get vexed (vexed)
And I don't want to lose my rag (rag)
But I ain't gonna let that boy come around try to take me for no slag (slag)
I ain't gonna let that boy come around and run his gums you're mad (you're mad)
I'll probably have him thinking I'm fake, I'll make his family sad
I do the fuck what I want, that's how I got here
And I'll be damned if I let you fussies interfere
And if I had my way, you wouldn't even get near
I don't need your help, do I make myself clear?
I know it sounds rude, that's because it's meant to be (okay)
I plan to be the rudest boy in this industry (okay)
Ain't two-faced, and I ain't one to gloat (okay)
If I don't like you, then I'll tell you to your throat
I don't know what you want, I don't know what you expect
But if I don't know you, don't ask me for respect
I don't give it easily, I don't give it much
And I ain't got a heart, so don't ever try and touch
All these pigs runnin' 'round like I owe them (okay)
Before I got big, I didn't even know them (okay)
I'll be doing this for a whole lot a' years (okay)
And I'll be standing tall and straight when the smoke clears
So
I don't want to get vexed
And I don't want to lose my cool
But I ain't gonna let that boy come around, try take me for no fool (fool)
I ain't gonna let that boy come around, I'm reaching for my tool (tool)
I ain't gonna let that boy get flash, I'll smash his head on the wall
So, I don't want to get vexed (vexed)
And I don't want to lose my rag (rag)
But I ain't gonna let that boy come around try to take me for no slag (slag)
I ain't gonna let that boy come around and run his gums you're mad (you're mad)
I'll probably have him thinking I'm fake, I'll make his family sad
Yo
I'm the type of boy that takes the bump with the grind (okay)
And I'm the type of boy to take your girl from behind (okay)
I'm the type of boy your girl wants me to be (she told me)
So don't act a prick, 'cause it don't suit me (okay)
You could boil me up and you can even shoot me (okay)
But if your girl's lettin' up, then it's my duty (okay)
I ain't trying to keep your wifey, truthfully (okay)
But it ain't my fault your girlfriend's a groupie
Be careful what you ask for, you could change your mind (okay)
And what you're looking for, you won't like what you find (okay)
If you're looking for the pussy, if you're looking for the chat
I'll remind you that curiosity killed the cat (okay)
Plus
Girls are telling lies, and they spreading like the plague (okay)
What else can I do except keep myself made? (okay)
I don't know why these girls are trying to attack me (okay)
But I'm a rude boy, I won't let nobody trap me, so
I don't want to get vexed
And I don't want to lose my cool
But I ain't gonna let that boy come around, try take me for no fool (fool)
I ain't gonna let that boy come around, I'm reaching for my tool (tool)
I ain't gonna let that boy get flash, I'll smash his head on the wall
So, I don't want to get vexed (vexed)
And I don't want to lose my rag (rag)
But I ain't gonna let that boy come around try to take me for no slag (slag)
I ain't gonna let that boy come around and run his gums you're mad (you're mad)
I'll probably have him thinking I'm fake, I'll make his family sad
The lyrics to Dizzee Rascal's song "Vexed" are a passionate, aggressive and confident declaration of the artist's personal values and beliefs. Through the lyrics, he asserts himself as an individualist who rejects conforming to societal norms and does not seek validation or approval from others. He highlights that people around him talk about him without knowing him and acknowledges that his behavior might seem rude to some. The artist asserts his total control over his life and shows resilience when dealing with critics, hate and controversies.
The song is also an exploration of Dizzee Rascal's own emotions and struggles. He discloses that beneath his tough demeanor, he is deeply affected by stress and anxiety, but chooses to keep it all to himself. He reveals that his upbringing was filled with hate rather than affection, and he had to pull himself out of failure and make his own way in life. He also makes it clear that he will not hesitate to use violent means to protect himself and his interests.
Overall, "Vexed" is a song that taps into the psyche of a young artist whose independent spirit and rebellion against conformity propelled him to fame and success, but also brought criticism and backlash. The song exudes a raw energy and intensity that is characteristic of a lot of Dizzee Rascal's music.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, listen, tek nothing
Don't bother me with your talk.
I don't want to hear no more talk, you get me?
I'm not interested to listen to any more talk.
no more talk man
Stop talking.
I've heard baretalk (that Dizzee Rascal's so rude)
I know people talk bad about me, calling me rude.
Like, half the people talking don't even know me
Most people who talk about me don't even know me.
I do what I want, you get me (and ask no one for nothing)
I act according to my own will without asking for anyone's approval.
I ain't everyone's friend (okay)
I don't have to be friends with everyone.
Ha, okay I don't want to get vexed
I'm trying my best to stay calm and not get angry.
That's why I'm just trying to keep my cool, you get me?
I'm making an effort not to get angry.
I don't want to lose it
I don't want to lose my temper.
I can't believe I got people chattin' shit, left, right and center
I'm surprised and annoyed by people talking nonsense about me everywhere.
I'll never watch what I say
I won't be careful with my words.
I say what the fuck I want, I don't care who you are (naw man)
I speak freely without caring about anyone's opinion.
I don't care who I offend or nothing (suck yuh)
I don't care if I hurt someone's feelings.
I won't be silenced (look uh)
I won't let anyone silence me or stop me from expressing myself.
I'm showing you my life's more deep than you think (uh huh)
My life is more complex than you might imagine.
At nights, I get a little less sleep than you think (really)
I don't sleep as much as people assume.
Something keeps me up, I can't even get a wink
I have trouble sleeping because of something on my mind.
And there's no point in trying, so I lay there and blink
I cannot do anything about it, so I just lay there and blink instead of sleeping.
I'm showing you, I feel more stressed than you see
I'm more stressed than I appear.
But my business is my business and I keep it all to me
I don't share my personal life with anyone.
I've done a lot of work for you to see me where I be
I've worked hard to get to where I am today.
But lately I sense you don't want to set me free
I feel like some people don't want me to succeed and are holding me back.
And lately, there's been controversy seen around my name (ok)
My name has been surrounded by controversies recently.
But fuck you cause I ain't playing your game (naw)
I don't care about your games or opinions.
My attitude, my language, they ain't used to it (ok)
Some people are not accustomed to my way of speaking or attitude.
But I ain't, UK garage so (get me) get used to it
I won't change who I am to fit anyone's expectations.
'Cause I was raised an only child, not a brother, not a sis
I grew up as an only child without siblings.
And raised around hate, not a hug, not a kiss (naw)
I grew up in a negative environment without much affection.
Before this I was just a failure in the mist
Before achieving success, I was struggling and failing.
And I made it through the front, I can't let you take a piss, so
I worked hard to overcome challenges and won't let anyone undermine my achievements.
I'm the type of boy that takes the bump with the grind (okay)
I'm someone who tackles challenges head-on with a determined attitude.
And I'm the type of boy to take your girl from behind (okay)
I'm someone who can charm women away from their partners.
I'm the type of boy your girl wants me to be (she told me)
Some girls are attracted to me more than their current partners.
So don't act a prick, 'cause it don't suit me (okay)
Don't be rude to me because that behavior doesn't work on me.
You could boil me up and you can even shoot me (okay)
You can try to threaten or harm me, but I won't back down.
But if your girl's lettin' up, then it's my duty (okay)
If a woman is interested in me instead of her partner, it's not my fault but my opportunity.
I ain't trying to keep your wifey, truthfully (okay)
I don't intend to be with someone else's girlfriend permanently.
But it ain't my fault your girlfriend's a groupie
It's not my fault if some women are attracted to me.
Be careful what you ask for, you could change your mind (okay)
Be careful what you wish for because you may regret it.
And what you're looking for, you won't like what you find (okay)
What you seek may not be what you want in the end.
If you're looking for the pussy, if you're looking for the chat
If you're seeking for sex or conversation,
I'll remind you that curiosity killed the cat (okay)
You might regret pursuing it in the end.
Girls are telling lies, and they spreading like the plague (okay)
Some women are spreading rumors and lies about me.
What else can I do except keep myself made? (okay)
I can't change what others are saying, so I have to keep moving forward.
I don't know why these girls are trying to attack me (okay)
I don't understand why some women are spreading false rumors about me.
But I'm a rude boy, I won't let nobody trap me, so
I'm not afraid to speak my mind and won't let anyone manipulate me.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Dylan Kwabena Mills
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
nebbiez
Dizzee's always done whatever the hell he wants musically. Sure this song is more old skool grime sounding, but the other songs he was doing in this period were way different. He never aimed at any particular market, he just made the music he wanted to make and doesn't give a shit what people think. He's staying true to himself, which is by far the most important thing in music these days.
Nicky Cotton
Aye, proper Various tracks aswell tbf.
jhb6991
I love Dizzee's old sound, definitely my favourite music along with Wiley's eskibeat sound
stevebrizzle
Can't believe this wasn't on the UK version - especially coz it was on the end of the 'I Luv U' video.
SlipperyBream
this was such a sikk album back in the day...still the best one he's done
80sKid
For everyone that thinks Dizzee Rascals new shit is good.....i revert them back to this tune
James Kolawole
You forgot to mention he was under 21 when he dropped his best work, take from that what you will
By Any Means Necessary
Cambridge Lad which new stuff?
VAester
but that doesn't show that his new stuff isn't good, just that his old stuff is better...
V6K1D
Still a banga ... He needs to give us some grime back.