- Audio CD (14 Sep 2010)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: Import
- Label: Hostess Japan/Zoom
- ASIN: B003TIB0IQ
- Other Editions: Audio CD | Vinyl | MP3 Download
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
There was much speculation that Showtime, the second LP from 2003 Mercury Music Prize winner Dizzee Rascal would see this UK Garage prodigy turn his back on the Hackney estates and tighten ties with the American hip-hop fraternity. Thankfully, this is a good a time as any to say 'You can take the boy out of Bow but you can't take the Bow out of the boy', for Showtimepresents a Dizzee bolder, brassier, but no less indebted to his grimy past. It's all here - lo-tech video game production ("Stand Up Tall"), bizarre threats of violence ("I'm 5'10", chocolate skin/ I'll punch you in your nostril, I'll punch you in your shin," goes "Everywhere"), and frequent flashes of lunatic humour that elevate Dizzee above his UK Garage peers: take "Dreams", which uses a sample of Captain Sensible's "Happy Talk" to bemusing and hilarious effect. Sober reflection remains part of the Rascal worldview, as on "Imagine" - a truly fragile wisp of synth and strings reminiscent of Aphex Twin's ambient moments. But balance is crucial, and that comes with stone-cold playa anthem 'Girls', performed alongside curiously high-pitched Dizzee affiliate Marga Man: "So much gash, no time to rest" --Louis Pattison
Review
Calling all tribal warriors. Your King has left his corner and stands proudly centre stage. Huge drum calls, banging beats and thrilling jump-up energy herald his arrival. And rightly so, because Dizzee Rascal's second album, Showtime, puts a lot of other rap in the shadows. Tightly packed with stories, phrases, descriptions and life;its impact made all the greater by its genuineness.
Themes such as jealousy, being dissed and keeping above it all are combined with an understanding of the challenges and heartache of concrete living. Dizzee's not bigging up some Cristal lifestyle and talking about his bling.As he says, 'I'm curious of where I come from. I ain't completely detached'.
"Learn" is the kingpin of the album; its droning bass and melodic hooks mesh with speeded up snake-charmer horn, working below the rhythm of his delivery to give the track a hypnotic force. The first single, "Stand Up Tall", is one to rave to with its infectious beat and message of self-belief. On "Get By", vocalist Vanya's youthful plea' brings sweetness to the brooding electronic darkness.
Make no msitake, this is an intense album. He really gets into his lyrical delivery, imbuing it with emotion and spit. Then there's the menace of the twisted English, 'people are going to respect me, if it kills you' ("Respect Me").
Track after track bombards the senses. It's not easy to listen to this album in one sitting, the Cockney twang and shout-speak don't have the melodic lilt of a Snoop or depth of a Biggy Smalls. However, Showtime proves Dizzee has a special talent, all at once sophisticated and primal, raw and eloquent. His powerful and instinctual use of percussion drives the album throughout. Proper real and as sweet as a nut. --Debra Richards
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I first heard of Dizzee rascal when I heard "I Luv U" on Channel U on Sky. The first album had not been released at that point and he had just been stabbed in Ayia Napa. Having listened to and fallen in love with "I Luv U" I purchased his first album "Boy In Da Corner" as soon as it was released and for the first couple of weeks I thought the album was OK. As I listened more I fell in love with a few of the tracks and after a couple of months I absolutely loved every song, I can't believe how deep some of the lyrics are and was especially touched by his messages to kids to try hard in school and do your own thing.
So obviously I awaited the release of "Showtime" with quite a lot of excitement, I booked the day off work to listen to it and was very impressed, it has been out for just 4 days now and I have fallen in love with a number of tracks already and I know that the others will all grow on me. The lyrics are untouchable, never have I known somebody to be so positive and so uplifting, I would seriously compare Dizzee Rascal to 2pac who is in my opinion the greatest artist of all time, Dizzee talks about how hard things can be and talks about the struggle but he is filled with positivity and hope, he has proven that anyone can be a success from any background & he suggests time & time again throughout the album that with hard work anything is possible. The beats & Bass lines are awesome in some of the tracks and the dashes of comedy are what I have come to expect from him. My favourite tracks at the moment are "Get By" again a song of hop, "Imagine" is also an excellent thought provoking song. I am also a big fan of "face" "respect me" and "stand up tall"
Excellent album, excellent artist, excellent example
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I dont like grime music. Or whatever its meant to be called. I'm a straight hip hop fella. My favourite rappers are MF DOOM and Edan at the moment, as well as Nas and Ghostface. I love Lewis Parker and Jehst. Supposed real British hip hop. I didnt really like the first Dizzee album. I wondered what all the fuss was about. I did like I luv u and Fix up look sharp, but some of the LP i thought was horrible. Even if it did win the Mercury Music Prize. However this album is a totally different beast. Nothing but astonishing rhymes and energy that was showing on some of the first album. And the production fits. Almost perfectly. If this is the growth just over one album I cant wait for the next one the lad's hopefully got up his sleeve. I've been converted. This is monumental in my mind. Well done Diz. Nice one.
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Yet another masterpiece from the producer/rapper - Dylan Mills (Dizzee Rascal). Where to start on this album. If you are a regular listener to Dizzee then you will be pleased to know that 'Showtime' is coming close to the quality of 'Boy in da corner'. I know that that Dizzee Rascal has been on the garage scene now for a couple of years but due to how well 'Stand Up Tall', has done and how well 'Dream' is going to do, you can see that from now Dizzee is going to be becoming bigger and bigger in the way of music. He already has a Mercury Award to prove that he's descent, you dont win one of them for being a one hit wonder. 'Showtime' starts with a quick intro for Dylan to just recap on whats been going on since 2003. Then it soon gets into the album and what not to start it better with but the single 'Stand Up Tall'. Soon after, a quick garage beat is dropped with 'Everywhere' ('My names is Dizzee Diz, I hadle my Biz' - Simple but genius. Amazing songs such as 'Graftin', 'Learn' (brilliant song), 'Hype Talk' and 'Face' follow. The second part of 'Showtime', with the funny yet Remarkable 'Dream' is just as good with the Unbelievable 'Imagine' and the perfect ending of 'Fickle'. Oh yes, lets not forget the excellent fluent rhymes of 'Respect Me'. For example, 'Coz, from holly street to hollywood, its all good, from New York to ur cool, its all cool....'. I could go on all day about why every song is good but this is only a review. However I do have to say that is definitely not Boy In Da Corner Part 2 as its less grimey and mor towards the hip-hop side of things. I would definitely recommend this to any garage/hip-hop lover, a must have album. BUY IT NOW!!
(Bonus DVD with videos of Fix Up, Look Sharp, Jus A Rascal, I Luv U and Stand Up Tall - Excellent)
(Bonus DVD with videos of Fix Up, Look Sharp, Jus A Rascal, I Luv U and Stand Up Tall - Excellent)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Grimy...
With sparse - and often almost discordant - beats, coupled with Dizzee's LDN style aggressive rapping, this is certainly grime at it's best. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Craig Skinner
J.BURNHAM
Just about the best i have heard,i am in the 60's age range,but still enjoy his RAP,and,get my poor aged limbs well into action!Exeptional album!!
Published on 22 April 2010 by J. Burnham
Good effort
After listening to this album a few times, I really got into it. The standout tracks for me are: get by, stand up tall, learn, respect me and graftin. Read more
Published on 6 Jan 2006 by L. Hurley
it's Alright you know
If your not all about garage but you liked previous dizzee tunes because they had a more commerical feel. Don't be afraid to buy the album. Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2005 by Cookies
Showtime.
Liking this album a lot, especially track 5. Thought he'd lose it in the second album after boy in da corner (heavy man) but he's kept it going, feels more real and to the roots... Read more
Published on 22 Nov 2004 by JT
Classic
From the outset you can see that this album is a great piece of work. The slick, squared off beats and great tempo of the music makes you sit up and pay attention. Read more
Published on 10 Oct 2004 by Mr. A. Locatelli-malacrida
Uk - What !
Who said UK Hip Hop was rubbish, its just a case of defining it. Once every has stopped making noise about is Garage /Urban /Hip Hop and just asks the is this a good album... Read more
Published on 4 Oct 2004
UKs Finest...
Absolutely unbelievable 2nd album!!!, on a par with the 1st. 'Showtime' sum's up the whole album. It's a bit more, dare I say, persistent!. Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2004 by "godwithagun"
Any moves!?!?
Heavy tunes! Honestly, when I bought this album I wasn't expecting much. Boy in da Corner was massive, I didn't reckon he could top it but the boy done good! Read more
Published on 14 Sep 2004 by Ash
Just as good as his first
If you liked Dizzee's first album then you'll love this one. This totally a different album from Boy In Da Corner, but in many ways it's similar. Read more
Published on 10 Sep 2004 by D. C. Njoku
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