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
Wanna Be
Dizzee Rascal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So you wanna be a gangster
Tell me just one thing
What you know about being a hardman
You mum buys your bling
Your pockets getting bigger
If you need to
'Cause you haven't got it
So you might as well quit
I'm moving
Couldnt be losing
Nothing but a success
Thing I'm proving, nothing
To you half heart wasters
Standing there yap yap yapping on cruising
Nobodys dictates so I'm choosing
Where I go what I do with my life stupid
And I hold I'm own I'm (raskit)
You better watch your tone you spastic
Low it, your not heartless
Nothing but a lot of hot air your harmless
I keep getting my paper regardless
You words don't phase me I'm marvelous
Age 22 zero tolerance
And I ain't got no time for the nonsense
You wanna see me come to my concerts
Or we can do it on stage with an audience
So you wanna be a gangster
Tell me just one thing (tell me just one thing)
What you know about being a hardman
You mum buys your bling (what!)
Your pockets getting bigger
But you couldn't pull the trigger
If you need to (no)
'Cause you haven't got it (no)
So you might as well quit (ha ha ha)
Beef, straps, cuts, glory
All these high bredders in the club bore me
I wish when I come through they ignore me
I really can't deal with another war story
Bredders in my face with a fist full of paper
Trying to make out they'e a big money maker
Talking all loud (but I know man I'ma hustler)
I ain't got time rude boi's see you later
And I can't forget these groupies following
Fronting, raving, ranting, hollerin
Yeah I know I shouldn't be complaining
But these jezebel do my brain in
I ain't no groupie, who you calling jezebel?
Don't chat to me like I'm just any girl.
(Nah, security somebody move her)
I don't wanna talk to you anyway loser!
So you wanna be a gangster
Tell me just one thing (tell me just one thing)
What you know about being a hardman
You mum buys your bling (what)
Your pockets getting bigger
But you couldn't pull the trigger
If you need to (no)
'Cause you haven't got it (no)
So you might as well quit (ha ha ha)
That whip don't make you a big man (na m8)
That chain don't make you a big man (na m8)
I know you think your a big man (wat m8)
But really your just a wasteman (lowe it)
That whip don't make you a big man (na m8)
That chain don't make you a big man (na m8)
I know you think your a big man (wat m8)
But really your just a wasteman (ha ha ha)
Let me wrap it up while I still got time
Ain't nobody telling me about no grime
'Cause I know where I stand whether I'm fine
Handle your biz, I'm handling mine
Everybody chattin bout black on black crime
All I see is the blind leading the blind
I wanna leave all the pettiness behind
You don't really wanna see me cross dat line
Leave me alone or you'll be sorry
Beef ain't nothing new to me you wolly
Why don't you just kick back be jolly
Stay at home with a cuppa tea watch corrie
I'm not listening anyway man
Who rattled your cage anyway man
Ain't no slacking with this young man
Do what I gotta do everyday fam
So you wanna be a gangster
Tell me just one thing (tell me just one thing)
What you know about being a hardman
You mum buys your bling (what!)
Your pockets getting bigger
But you couldn't pull the trigger
If you need to (no)
'Cause you haven't got it (no)
So you might as well quit (ha ha ha)
So you wanna be a gangster
Tell me just one thing (tell me just one thing)
What you know about being a hardman
You mum buys your bling (what!)
Your pockets getting bigger
But you couldn't pull the trigger
If you need to (no)
'Cause you haven't got it (no)
So you might as well quit
So you might as well quit
So you might as well quit
(Ha ha ha ha)
The lyrics in Dizzee Rascal's song "Wanna Be" challenge the authenticity of those who claim to be gangsters. The singer tells the person who wants to be a gangster that they don't know anything about being a hard man, and that their mother buys their bling. The singer acknowledges that the person's pockets are getting bigger, but they couldn't pull the trigger if they needed to. The singer suggests that the person quit since they don't have any real experience.
The lyrics are critical of those who glamorize gangster lifestyle while lacking the actual experience. The singer emphasizes that they are moving towards success and that they are proving nothing to the "half-hearted wasters" who yap yap yapping their way through life, cruising. The singer is not interested in being dictated to but rather chooses where they go and what they do with their lives. The singer is confident about holding their own and warns others to watch their tone. The singer is getting their paper regardless of negative comments as their words do not phase them.
In the second verse, the singer raps about how they are tired of hearing war stories of high bred dressers and groupies following them. They acknowledge that they shouldn't complain but the jezebel annoys them, leaving them with a headache. The song ends with the singer telling the wannabe gangsters that their whip and chain do not make them big men since they are just a wasteman. The singer wraps up the song by saying they handle their business, and everyone should stay at home with a cuppa tea, watching "Corrie."
Line by Line Meaning
Alright mate
Greetings, friend.
So you wanna be a gangster
You appear to desire a life of criminality and violence.
Tell me just one thing
Can you give me any reason to believe you have the required skills or experience?
What you know about being a hardman
Do you possess the toughness and resilience required to excel as a criminal?
You mum buys your bling
It appears that your mother purchases your expensive, flashy jewelry.
Your pockets getting bigger
You are accumulating more wealth and becoming more successful.
But you couldn't pull the trigger
Despite your perceived success, you lack the ability to actually commit violent acts.
If you need to
In the event that circumstances mandated it.
'Cause you haven't got it
Because you lack the necessary fortitude or willingness to commit violent acts.
So you might as well quit
You should stop pursuing a criminal lifestyle.
I'm moving
I am progressing and improving my life.
Couldn't be losing
I am very determined and committed to success.
Nothing but a success
I am only capable of achieving victory and accomplishment.
Thing I'm proving, nothing
I do not need to prove anything to those who doubt me.
To you half heart wasters
You half-hearted individuals with no real dedication or drive.
Standing there yap yap yapping on cruising
You talk a lot, but you are just floating aimlessly through life.
Nobodys dictates so I'm choosing
I am the master of my own destiny and will not be controlled by others.
Where I go what I do with my life stupid
I will decide my own path in life without interference from foolish people.
And I hold I'm own I'm (raskit)
I am self-reliant and capable, especially in terms of living a successful life.
You better watch your tone you spastic
Be careful with your words and actions, or you may face consequences.
Low it, your not heartless
Stop pretending to be ruthless and violent when you are not.
Nothing but a lot of hot air your harmless
You are all talk and no action, and so you pose no threat.
I keep getting my paper regardless
I will continue to acquire money and success, with or without your approval.
You words don't phase me I'm marvelous
Your words have no impact on me; I am confident, accomplished, and successful.
Age 22 zero tolerance
At 22 years old, I have no patience or tolerance for people who do not take their lives seriously.
And I ain't got no time for the nonsense
I do not have time or energy for meaningless, foolish pursuits.
You wanna see me come to my concerts
If you want to truly understand my success and skill, come attend one of my musical performances.
Or we can do it on stage with an audience
If you want to challenge me, we can do it publicly and in front of other people.
Beef, straps, cuts, glory
Conflict, guns, violence, and fame.
All these high bredders in the club bore me
I find these pretentious people in the club to be dull and uninspiring.
I wish when I come through they ignore me
I prefer to be left alone and not bothered when I am out in public.
I really can't deal with another war story
I am tired of hearing stories about violence and conflict.
Bredders in my face with a fist full of paper
People in my face, trying to flaunt their money and intimidate me.
Trying to make out they'e a big money maker
Attempting to portray themselves as wealthy and successful.
Talking all loud (but I know man I'ma hustler)
Speaking loudly and confidently, but I know that I am the true hustler and hard worker.
I ain't got time rude boi's see you later
I do not have time for rude or obnoxious individuals.
And I can't forget these groupies following
I cannot ignore the attention of these people who are infatuated with me and my success.
Fronting, raving, ranting, hollerin
They are trying to impress, behave erratically, and shout.
Yeah I know I shouldn't be complaining
I am aware that I should not be complaining about the attention and admiration I receive.
But these jezebel do my brain in
These promiscuous women are driving me crazy.
I ain't no groupie, who you calling jezebel?
I am not an infatuated fan, and I object to being called a promiscuous woman.
Don't chat to me like I'm just any girl.
Do not speak to me as if I am unimportant or insignificant.
(Nah, security somebody move her)
No, please have security remove this person from my presence.
I don't wanna talk to you anyway loser!
I do not wish to communicate with you; you are a loser, in my opinion.
That whip don't make you a big man (na m8)
Driving an expensive car does not make you a genuinely impressive, powerful man.
That chain don't make you a big man (na m8)
Wearing expensive jewelry does not truly reflect your personal qualities or accomplishments.
I know you think your a big man (wat m8)
You may believe you are powerful and impressive, but that is not my perception.
But really your just a wasteman (lowe it)
You are truly a failure and not worthy of respect or admiration.
Let me wrap it up while I still got time
I need to conclude this conversation while I still have other important things to do.
Ain't nobody telling me about no grime
I do not need anyone to explain the difficult realities of life to me.
'Cause I know where I stand whether I'm fine
I understand my own capabilities and can handle life's challenges regardless of my emotional state.
Handle your biz, I'm handling mine
You worry about your own business and I will focus on mine.
Everybody chattin bout black on black crime
Many people are talking about the issue of violent crimes being committed within the black community.
All I see is the blind leading the blind
I perceive a situation where people who are unaware, unintelligent, or misguided are directing others who are similarly afflicted.
I wanna leave all the pettiness behind
I aim to become more mature and responsible, avoiding trivial conflicts and squabbles.
You don't really wanna see me cross dat line
It would not be wise to provoke me or cross me in any way.
Leave me alone or you'll be sorry
Stop bothering me or you will face consequences that you will not enjoy.
Beef ain't nothing new to me you wolly
I am experienced in dealing with conflict and do not find it intimidating.
Why don't you just kick back be jolly
Relax, enjoy yourself, and avoid unnecessary drama.
Stay at home with a cuppa tea watch corrie
Rather than involving yourself in dangerous or pointless activities, spend time relaxing at home.
I'm not listening anyway man
Even if you try to argue with me or criticize me, I remain unresponsive and unmoved.
Who rattled your cage anyway man
Why are you so agitated and aggressive for no reason?
Ain't no slacking with this young man
I work very hard and have a strong work ethic.
Do what I gotta do everyday fam
I focus on fulfilling my responsibilities and achieving my goals every single day.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Lily Allen, Iyiola Babatunde Babalola, Darren Emilio Lewis, Dylan Kwabena Mills, Paul Williams
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind