E3 AF: CD

East London-born music legend and all round boundary-breaking innovator, Dizzee Rascal, releases his 7th studio album, entitled E3 AF via Island Records. This new release marks the genesis of a new era for Dizzee and is the first album wholly written, recorded and produced in the UK in over a decade. E3 AF is a 10-track layered, purposeful statement of intent, rooted in Dizzees inedible ties to both east London and Black British musics legacy. He sound is sharper, stronger and more self-assured than ever, and it is obvious that he has poured the creative energy of the past few years into E3 AF as a body of work.

First single, L.L.L.L (Love Life Live Large), features Tottenham born MC Chip and kicks open the door with the force of a steel toe capped boot. Chip, adds another thwack of bravado to the rumbling, Dizzee-produced beat. E3 AF confirms Dizzees status as an artist still very much in his prime, sonically it draws on the infectious pace of grime and resolutely forward-thinking UK rap. From one song to the next, you are taken on a journey through Black British musical excellence. Ice-cold UK drill drips on Smoke Boys-featuring Act Like You Know (produced by MK the Plug) and Eastside pulses with pure grime courtesy of Chubby Dreadz and Platinum 45. Self-produced opener God Knows (featuring P Money) and high-octane You Dont Know pull from dubstep, grime and drum n bass while threatening to wreak havoc with your speakers. By the time Alicai Harleys warm up vocals float over sunny syths on the deeply personal Energies + Powers (produced by Steel Banglez), the album practically radiates heat.