If you look back on almost any list of the best albums of the 2000s, you’re bound to find a majority of the albums include Boy In Da Corner, the landmark album released by a then rising British rapper Dizzee Rascal.
It’s hard to imagine it’s been 13 whole years since the release of Boy In Da Corner, an album that was way ahead of its time. Rascal has never been able to recapture the sound, floating towards more pop sounds in his later years. But on May 6 he returned to New York for a now rare live performance. As a special event for Red Bull Music Academy, Rascal played all of his classic album from start to finish, in all its grimey glory.
The intimate setting of Music Hall of Williamsburg allowed Dizzee Rascal with the space he needed to bring the album back to life, even going so far as to shape the stage with the yellow walls seen on the album cover, which he recreated on the opening cut “Sittin’ Here.” From there it was a ferocious night of throwbacks, that had everyone in the crowd jolting up and down, screaming back every word.
It was my first time seeing him perform, and the rare chance that you get to hear an artist perform your favorite album in all its glory. I hope Dizzee returns to us soon, but something tells me by the lack of an encore that this was more of a one-off than the shape of things to come.
Find some photos of the show posted below.
Random note: ran into Alfie Allen of Game Of Thrones (Theon Greyjoy) after the show.
Dizzee Rascal Setlist:
1. Sittin’ Here
2. Stop Dat
3. I Luv U
4. Brand New Day
5. 2 Far
6. Fix Up, Look Sharp
7. Cut ’Em Off
8. Hold Ya Mouf
9. Round We Go
10. Jus’ a Rascal
11. Wot U On
12. Seems 2 Be
13. Jezebel
14. Live O
15. Do It!
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