There are a handful of words one would describe Dizzee Rascal. Some might include influential, acclaimed, successful or the granddaddy of Grime. Since stepping onto the scene in 2003 with his debut album ‘Boy In Da Corner’, a black, white and yellow album cover instantly recognisable whether you listen to grime or not with a young Dizzee slumped in a corner wearing a tracksuit and Air Max, Dizzee Rascal is definitely the most successful London grime artist that paved the way for so many aspiring MC’s in the future who took musical inspiration from him in their own careers.

With the grime king back this year with new album that goes back to basics with a twinge of modern pop and classic garage sounds ‘E3 AF’, Dizzee has created an album that both satisfies his old school listeners by keeping true to his old ways but also introducing newer sounds that can bring lesser-seasoned listeners alongside them. With E3 representing the postcode of where he grew up, he is as bold and brash as we used to know him, with abrasive and hard-hitting bars like “You ain't the main attraction / You're just attracting the plastic black sack for you to get wrapped in”. With ‘God Knows’ featuring P Money, a South-East London MC bringing an energetic beginning, it mostly sets the tone for the rest of the album but invites the many samples and features that fit side-by-side such as other pioneers of grime such as Chip, Ghetts and Kano.

Lasting at 33 minutes and 33 seconds, the 10-track album brings features from other artists that have proved their talents within the more modern grime scene such as Ocean Wisdom on ‘Don’t Be Dumb’ or the drill-sounding collective Smoke Boys on ‘Act Like You Know’. By merging popular London rappers within ‘E3 AF’, it shows how Dizzee can, again, successfully bring elements from mainstream music with his incredible sense of underground sounds since his 2007 album ‘Maths + English’, with the compelling ideas of grime, garage and drum and bass.

With standout tracks such as ‘Don’t Be Dumb’ or ‘Eastside’ which featured two iconic names in the grime scene, Ghetts and Kano, a collaboration that a lot of fans might have been waiting for, it brings forth a filthy bassline with solid snares that let us know that Dizzee is very much capable of producing something that goes back to his roots. With other tracks that let us reminisce in old school garage such as ‘Body Loose’ which took its sample from the Architechs ‘Body Groove’ featuring Nay Nay, the album lays a gratifying sound that most definitely confirms that Dizzee is still in his prime.