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
Where's da G's
Dizzee Rascal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Liar liar, pants on fire, you're not gangsta, you're not street
You just make yourself sound gangsta when you're rapping on the beat
You ain't got yourself in no life-threatening situations yet
You're no dealer, you're not balling, you just get yourself in debt
You're a fan of hip hop, wanking when you hear them rappers talk
Love to sit and listen but we know that you don't walk the walk
What's with all the fake aggression, I can see that it's not true
You ain't robbed nobody, shanked nobody, you ain't bust no gun
You ain't seen no ghetto action, who do you think you fooling, son?
You should pull your trousers up, you know it ain't your type of look
You're no playa, you're no pimp, I think that you should read a book
And seckle, find yourself a pretty girl and settle
You know that if it's on that you ain't drawing for no metal
I know them rap songs got you thinking you're some kind of g
Well if that's the case, then que sara and what will be will be
[Chorus]
Where's the G's? Where's the stars?
Where's the whips? Where's the cars?
Where's that cribs? And where's the yards?
Cause all I see is hype
Where's the dough? Where's the cash?
Where's the hoes? Where's the gash?
Where's the blicks? And where's the mash?
Cause all I see is hype
Too many moots on the TV
How many real crooks on the TV?
All I hear is dead hooks on the TV
Being real these days ain't easy
Too many moots on the TV
How many real crooks on the TV?
All I see is bare poop on the TV
Being real these days ain't easy
[Verse 2: Bun B]
Well it's big Bun be and I'm back again, talking that shit on the track again
Too many motherfuckers be lying about selling, buying and trafficking
I'm like really though what's happening, you boys talk about that crack again?
Cause we don't believe you, need more people, y'all might as well just pack it in
Show me the paper you're stacking in, show me the blocks you got on hold
Show me your workers, show me your shooters, lemme see the neighborhood you control
Lemme see if you a boss, and if motherfuckers is scared of you
And if somebody trying to take your shit, let me see what you prepared to do
Are you ready to go to war? Are you ready to shoot to kill?
Are you really gon' man-up or bitch-up? Just tell the truth for real
Are you ready to take a life, walk up to 'em and squeeze the trigger
I don't think so cause you ain't built like that, so just be easy, nigga
Cause you know you ain't 'bout no drama and you know that you really don't want it
So stay the fuck out of the way when them trill-ass niggas is on it
Dizzee Ras and UGK, you know we stay connected
Trill recognize trill, so just respect it and check it
And tell me
[Chorus]
[Verse 3: Pimp C]
Where the Benz and where the hoes?
Candy niggas with candy clothes
Where the cocaine? Where the o's?
Where the SoundScan, where the shows?
You's a pimp, bitch, where the track?
Where the diamonds and where the Lac
You say that you that you in hot pursuit
But I ain't never seen you with a prostitute
I got everything I say
Don't believe me, ask Lil' J
On the West ask Ice-T
Fuck good but my dick ain't free
So hood I used to whip the d
Patron and wood when I'm in the be
Sweet Jones, Tony Snow, Percy Mack, Pimp see
Bitch, I got a bunch of names
Getting head in the H.O.V. lane
Getting red, I let my nuts hang
Wear a lot of red but it ain't no gang
Chased by the feds but it ain't no thang
I guess they think I still sell cocaine
Ninety two carrots in my chain
Jumping out a red-candy thing
Never snitch, never tell, get caught up, go back to jail
Before I tell them hoes shit, fuck the law, they can eat my dick
The main niggas that pop the trunk
Go to the pen and get with them punks
Then come home trying to act tough
When they was up there getting fucked in the butt
[Chorus]
The song "Where's Da G's" by Dizzee Rascal and featuring Bun B and Pimp C is a rap track that speaks to the prevalence of fake gangster personas in the hip hop genre. In the first verse, Dizzee Rascal addresses those who fabricate their gangster image in their lyrics, despite having no street credibility or experience with real-life gang activity. He accuses them of putting on a front and chasing clout instead of being genuine in their portrayal of themselves.
Bun B picks up the baton in the second verse to delve further into what it takes to be a true gangster. He poses several questions meant to separate those who pretend to be from those who actually live the lifestyle. He asks if they have what it takes to follow through on their lyrics and take a life, and calls out their lack of resilience in the face of danger. His verse serves as a challenge to those who see the gangster image as something to be commodified exclusively in the realm of music as a means to gain popularity.
The final verse from Pimp C is a continuation of this theme. He points out the hypocrisy in those who claim to be "pimps," "gangsters," or "ballers" but have no actual evidence to back that up. He describes himself as someone who has truly lived the life and experienced its consequences, and challenges those who can't say the same. His verse ultimately serves as a response to the many rappers whose braggadocio is not backed by any real gang experience.
Line by Line Meaning
Liar liar, pants on fire, you're not gangsta, you're not street
You are not a gangster or street-smart despite what you claim, you are just a liar.
You just make yourself sound gangsta when you're rapping on the beat
You try to convince others of your gangsta status through your rapping skills.
You ain't got yourself in no life-threatening situations yet
You have never had a life-threatening situation before to prove your gangsta status.
You're no dealer, you're not balling, you just get yourself in debt
You are not a drug dealer or a wealthy person, just someone who goes into debt.
You're a fan of hip hop, wanking when you hear them rappers talk
You just enjoy listening to hip hop, fantasizing about being like the successful rappers.
Love to sit and listen but we know that you don't walk the walk
Although you love to listen to hip hop, you do not have the experience to back up your claims.
What's with all the fake aggression, I can see that it's not true
Your aggression is fake, and I can tell it is not real or genuine.
I know killers, I know gangsters, and they never heard of you
You are not known by real gangsters and killers, which shows that you are not one of them.
You ain't robbed nobody, shanked nobody, you ain't bust no gun
You have not committed any serious crimes, like robbery or murder, which are often associated with gangsters.
You ain't seen no ghetto action, who do you think you fooling, son?
You have not experienced any real action in the ghetto, you are not fooling anyone.
You should pull your trousers up, you know it ain't your type of look
Your style and appearance do not match the look of a gangster, you should consider changing your style.
You're no playa, you're no pimp, I think that you should read a book
You are not a playboy or a pimp, instead of pretending to be someone you are not, you should invest your time in reading a book.
Cause all I see is hype
All I see is superficial, meaningless hype.
Too many moots on the TV
There are too many phony people on TV, pretending to be something they are not.
Well it's big Bun be and I'm back again, talking that shit on the track again
Bun B is back to rap and speak the truth about those who pretend to be gangsters.
Too many motherfuckers be lying about selling, buying and trafficking
Many people lie about buying and selling drugs, and do not truly trafficking.
I'm like really though what's happening, you boys talk about that crack again?
Bun B questions the authenticity of rappers who brag about their involvement in the crack cocaine trade.
Where the Benz and where the hoes?
Where is the luxury car and women, which are often associated with gangster activities?
Candy niggas with candy clothes
Some people dress in flashy, colorful clothing, which may make them appear like gangsters, but they are not.
Where the cocaine? Where the o's?
Where are the bricks of cocaine and the ounce of weed, which are often associated with drug dealers?
Are you ready to go to war? Are you ready to shoot to kill?
Are you prepared to defend yourself with deadly force, and be involved in a violent conflict?
I don't think so cause you ain't built like that, so just be easy, nigga
Since they do not possess the required qualities to be involved in a violent conflict, they should calm down and avoid it.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNARD JAMES FREEMAN, CHAD L. BUTLER, DYLAN KWABENA MILLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JamesLinehan
Guys, this song is bringing UK grime and US hip-hop together! It should bring us together aswell, stop arguing and appreciate the fact that both genres can be enjoyed on one song! Hopefully more stuff like this can come out in the future...
@jesssymington6759
Skepta asap
@zodiacmartnio7256
Me too
@ST-nl9gw
This man is such an intelligent lyricist much love dizzy👊🏻
@futurelondon
nice collab both from respective ghettoes .. its good to see both kinds of music being respected on both sides of the world.. uk and us.
@ShitStainedBallSack
This is one of the best he ever did
@robotfart
Grand stuff
@raymond1928
Classic
@geewhiz1739
Over the top. Ft. UGK? Instant classic. I been had it, didn't know it it just popped in my shuffle. My coworkers saw me 50 feet in the air on the scissor lift and it was rocking.
@Ravedaze.
Definitely the best track on the album.