Inside Dizzee Rascal’s Sold Out ‘Boy In Da Corner’ 20 Year Anniversary Show At London’s O2 Arena

Dizzee Rascal is nothing short of a generational talent, and just over a week ago the British MC and producer hosted one of the biggest shows of his life. Having been one of the leading pioneers within grime and its birth, the 38 year old took to a sold out O2 Arena for a 20 year anniversary celebration of his debut Mercury-Prize winning album ‘Boy In Da Corner’, which remains one of the most influential projects in UK Rap history. Having spoken to Dizzee Rascal about the project in our ‘Rooted’ series at the latter stage of last year, we already knew the importance of the ‘BITC’, not only to Dizzee himself, but also the impact on fans of British music and rap. We knew it was going to be a monumental event, so we had to get down there – and here’s what went down inside…

Firstly, the O2 Arena – it needs no introduction. Having hosted some of the biggest international artists and events over any years, the venue was perfectly chosen for an event of this stature; the largest venue in London, and with a maximum capacity that holds 20,000 people, a monumental number of people. With the venue packing out from early, support came down in their thousands to soak up the atmosphere and be present for the three support acts that came in the form of Backroad Gee, Lady Leshurr and another grime legend in JME. Notably, JME hyped up the crowd perfectly, setting the mood and energy just right playing a 25 minute set ending in ‘old school’ classic ‘Man Don’t Care’, which was heavily appreciated by a vastly grime loving audience.

At just past 9pm, Dizzee Rascal took to the stage, and the incredible stage production was unveiled which excelled throughout an almost 2 hour long set. Playing through some of the opening classics from his ‘Boy In Da Corner’ project, the London born rapper showcased tracks including ‘Sittin’ Here’, ‘Jezebel’ as well as fan favourites in ‘I Luv U’ and ‘Brand New Day’. As positioned in an area side of the stage, the aerial view of the crowd was perfect, and what you have to credit Dizzee for his immaculate level of showmanship – he just knows how to get the crowd going, and his effortless delivery of his performances are enough to ignite a room of any size.

Bringing out friends D Double E and JME for an unreleased banger, as well as Frisco and various other names within the UK grime scene, it really did feel like an iconic moment not only for Dizzee fans, but for those that grew up loving grime music. Two of the biggest tracks off the album in ‘Fix Up, Look Sharp’ and ‘Jus’ A Rascal’ were in my opinion, the two most well received tracks from this section of the setlist. It felt like not only a blast from the past reminiscent of the music industry two decades ago – but with it also being an album that remains so influential in the grasp of Gen Z babies nationally, allowed a further realisation that the album was way before its time.

The encore of the set was quite fantastic in all honesty – Dizzee ‘closed’ the set and came off the stage for a few minutes, before heading back out on stage to a charged up reception from the audience; tactical employment that worked exceptionally well in this situation. After performing all the hits from ‘Boy In Da Corner’, Dizzee Rascal returned to the stage to perform some of the hits that have internationally made him as bigger star as he is today, and been famously performed at festivals such as Glastonbury as well as venues all over the world. Included in the mini encore set were tracks, ‘Holiday’ and ‘Baseline Junkie’, ‘Dance Wiv Me’ and ‘Bonkers’ – arguably some of his biggest songs ever. In what resulting in the closing of the set, ‘Bonkers’ flipped the O2 upside down, and it truly felt like a monumental night that personally had me reminiscent of the music that I grew up on and my first experiences of rap music.

There is no denying that Dizzee Rascal is beyond talented, and this night will definitely go down in history, having sold out a venue to perform an album dated from 20 years ago.