Representation

What do you think of when you hear the following words?

Representation

How many Dizzee Rascal songs and/or albums can you name? Type in the answers and then click on the eyes to reveal the suggestions. Are there any you didn’t get?

Boy in da Corner	Showtime	Maths + English	Tongue n' Cheek	The Fifth
I Luv U	Stand Up Tall	Sirens	Dance wiv Me	Goin' Crazy
Fix Up, Look Sharp	Dream	Flex	Bonkers	Something Really Bad
Jus’ a Rascal	Off 2 Work/Graftin’		Holiday	Love This Town
			Dirtee Cash
			Dirtee Disco

Look at the titles of some of his songs and albums, discuss the connotations of these. How are some typical of the hip-hop/rap genre and associated narratives?

Two truths and a lie

Decide which of the following statements are true and which are false.

In August 2003, Dizzee Rascal was stabbed six-times in Ayia Napa.
In September, Dizzee Rascal was awarded the Mercury Prize for the best album of 2003.
Dizzee Rascal was the youngest person to receive the Mercury Prize for best album.
In 2008 Dizzee Rascal recorded a song for the suicide charity CALM about a friend who took his own life.
In February 2008, Dizzee Rascal’s sister died in a high-speed crash on the M1.
In 2010, Dizzee Rascal stated he was no longer going to drink or take drugs. He still adheres to clean living today.

Representation

Take a look at this image of Dizzee Rascal from 2003, the year of his debut.
How does he appear to support the stereotype of a rap/hip hop artist?

Look at his clothing

Look at his body language and pose

Look at his age and ethnicity

Look at the setting and background