In tribute to the early days of Pirate Radio, Dizzee Rascal climbs The O2 to do what Dizzee does best..

By AboutToBlow @AboutToBlowBlog · On February 20, 2023

After a heartfelt performance from Ed Sheeran to mark the return of the legendary freestyle platform last month, SBTV have teamed up with Dizzee Rascal in their latest F64. With a nod to his early days on pirate radio, Dizzee climbs The O2 (overlooking his ends in Bow) to deliver a biting 64 bars over a self-produced beat.

SBTV have said: “He is one of the reasons we all do what we do in the UK, so it is a real honour to have him drop a F64. Dizzee’s career started on top of rooftops housing Pirate Radio stations so it only felt right to take him to the top of The O2 to do what Dizzee does best..”

Dizzee has said: “Jamal Edward is a legend in our game and I’m glad to be a part of his continued legacy. This F64 is long overdue, big up SBTV!”

The Grime legend Dizzee Rascal will mark the 20th anniversary of his groundbreaking debut album Boy In Da Corner with an iconic headline show at The O2 in London on Wednesday 8th March. Destined to become Dizzee’s biggest and most memorable show to date, this unmissable headline performance will take place in under one month’s time at the storied, 20,000 capacity O2.

Joining Dizzee to celebrate the all-time classic LP will be an all-star cast of special guests: revered grime veteran and Boy Better Know co-founder JME, acclaimed freestyle queen and MOBO Award winner Lady Leshurr, and MOBO-nominated rising star Backroad Gee. Remaining tickets are limited and on sale HERE.

On the landmark moment, Dizzee commented: “It’s mad how it’s 20 years since Boy In Da Corner! That album changed my life and I’m forever thankful to everyone who’s shown love in that time. To celebrate two decades on, I’m buzzing to bring something very special to The O2 alongside some very special guests! Make sure to get your tickets as it’s going to be a show for the books”.

Released in July 2003, when the innovative MC and producer was only 18, Boy In Da Corner won the prestigious Mercury Prize and remains THE definitive grime full-length. The critically-acclaimed LP saw Dizzee labelled “the most original and exciting artist to emerge from dance music in a decade,” by the Guardian.

As one of the UK’s most successful and influential rappers of all time, Dizzee Rascal is credited to bringing UK Grime to the masses during its peak in the mid noughties. After Boy In Da Corner catapulted him to international stardom, he has since worked with some of the biggest artists on the planet, such as Calvin Harris, Arctic Monkeys, Shakira, Armand van Helden, Florence and the Machine, will.i.am and Robbie Williams. He also has four UK #1 hit singles to his name – ‘Dance Wiv Me’, ‘Bonkers’, ‘Holiday’ and ‘Dirtee Disco’ - and six consecutive UK ‘Top 20’ albums – Showtime, Maths + English, Tongue ‘n’ Cheek, The Fifth, Raskit and E3 AF.