On talking to NME, Dizzee said about his new album, “This album is making a statement – I’m a fucking serious rapper.” He added that,  “East London influenced me, but I was also on pirate radio in Tottenham. South London influenced me as well. If it wasn’t for music, I would never have met anyone from Leeds or Manchester or Liverpool. They were the only places I knew about because of football. Music took me out.”

The album is made up or elements of British music including grime, trap, drill, dubstep and garage. There are also moments of dance-pop with the track, ‘Body Loose’ which samples Architech’s chart topping hit ‘Body Grove.’ The track, ‘That’s too much,’ features other rap legends ‘D Double E’ and ‘Frisco’ as they bounce off of each other trading verses over the music.

Tottenham rapper Chip is another feature on the album, with the first track ‘L.L.L.L‘ (Love Life Live Large). Dizzee also collaborates with London dancehall singer Alicai Harley and as she opens the track, ‘Energies and Powers’  NME describes it as being, ‘a respite from five intense tracks of Dizzee spitting bars over hyped-up, frenetic beats. Her warm vocals are the refreshing summer air outside a sweaty club night.’

For the track, ‘Don’t Be Dumb’ he is joined by London rapper Ocean Wisdom who beat Eminem’s ‘Rap God’ by rapping at 4.45 words per second. Dizzie’s own verses are fast paced enough but as Wisdom deliver’s another line, Dizzie reacts with, “Jesus that’s a bloody mouthful.” – The Times

Dizzee told NME that he had named the album as a, ‘calback to a derogatory term Dizzee was called growing up in London: ‘E3 African’.’ There is no doubt that Dizzee is well routed to his hometown in East London. It was during lockdown that Dizzee returned to Bow to distribute food parcels to support local families. He told NME, “To be fair, they were dishing out the food parcels. I don’t want to claim it because child poverty is one of those things that needs to be highlighted.” 

He has certainly payed tribute to his roots in this album by staying true to the grime sound of East London. He has been named, ‘for at least eight years Britain’s best rapper,’ by The Guardian and there is no doubt that this title is well and truly deserved after releasing this album. His versatility and creativeness can be heard throughout the ten tracks on the album and there are high hopes that this won’t be the last from Dizzee.

Track List

1. God Knows
2. That’s Too Much
3. L.L.L.L (Love, Life, Live, Large)
4. Body Loose
5. You Don’t Know
6. Energies + Powers
7. Eastside
8. Act Like You Know
9. Don’t Be Dumb|
10. Be Incredible

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My new album E3 AF is out October 9th. Pre- order is live this Thursday evening! Keep it locked!! More on the way… #E3AF Too much

A post shared by Dizzee Rascal (@dizzeerascal) on Aug 18, 2020 at 10:30am PDT

This was met with much excitement from fans, and followed up today with more details from Rascal. He revealed that he has spent the last three years making music for the album, and feels that the final record is “Flawless”. While nothing more has been confirmed yet, we can most likely look forward to some singles from ‘E3 AF’ coming out soon. Titled after the postcode of Rascal’s hometown in East London, the album will be available for pre-order from tomorrow evening (Thursday 20th August) in all formats.

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On October 9th I’m dropping my 7th studio album it’s called E3 AF. I’ve spent the last 3 years losing and finding myself in music and I’ve made something Flawless. I made this album for YOU! I want you to play it at home, in your car or wherever you want but I want you to listen to it all the way through and you better have some BASS!! The link ups are mad and I didn’t come to play!! You’re welcome. Pre orders go live this Thursday, every format. Thank you #E3AF (e3AFrican).

A post shared by Dizzee Rascal (@dizzeerascal) on Aug 19, 2020 at 3:50am PDT

The MC’s last release was his 2017 album ‘Raskit’, which reached number 10 on the UK Albums Chart. He collaborated with numerous writers and producers on the project, and was appraised by fans and critics.

Dizzee Rascal was set to perform at Glastonbury this year, but the festival was cancelled due to Covid-19, going ahead virtually with a look at iconic previous years. He recently commented on this development, having played back in 2010 and 2013: “At this point they need to hurry up and just let me headline that thing. Those sets I played on the Pyramid stage got me a headlining reaction – bigger than the actual headliners.”

He went on to describe his sets as “not a lot of dip, it’s just energy all the way through.” Rascal doesn’t appear to be phased at the cancellation, saying, “When the first shows started getting cancelled, I just accepted it: that’s that, then. My thing is, the sun’s out and I’m not dead. So I’m not too stressed out. There are a lot more important things going on for other people.”

So, it seems that he won’t be planning a tour for the new album any time soon, but perhaps when it is confirmed safe to hold live shows again. In the meantime, fans can pre-order ‘E3 AF’ and listen to what’s sure to be an incredible album in autumn.