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Bizzle is a famous geezer.
He's managed to get that special kind of fame you only get when folks choose to brand you as a musical evil. As he says, "lethal banned. you know what? im kinda glad.
that's the only reason i'm known by ya dad".
The coverage when he took on David Cameron in the press was probably the biggest spotlight Bizzle's had pointed his way so far, and he's used the public gaze well. He’s been in the news a few times, including the obligatory hip-hop stabbing story when his entourage had a run in with some ‘fans’ in Liverpool.
He’s been rapping public since 2002, in More Fire Crew and he had his first taste of limelight with their single ‘Oi!’ His latest album, Back to Bizzness, is out in a couple of weeks (16th july), and it’s a wee bit different.
It's a little disappointing too, to be honest. As you’d expect it’s pretty up-jumping and fun (bizzle bizzle and look what you done spring to mind), but it's not as engaging as i'd have liked.
Some of that vibe comes from Akira the Don, author of ‘Smash Stuff’ (elastica bassline and a nee naw chorus-you’ll know if you know it) adding his production on the hectic babylon’s burning the ghetto.
The album is different, and it does sound a bit like the beginning of a new phase in his career. A new phase; not a startling new direction so much as a wee shunt, a gentle stretch just beyond his comfort zone.
It’s a long player with a good few grime moments, definitely doing what he does, but there’re some soulful tracks that make it feel a bit more rounded.
Bizzle is sorta involved with the indie scene too. He’s touring with punk rockers The Gallows this year, fresh from the club NME last year. That was apparently a total success, and it seems like he loves the rock crowd as much as they love him. He’s collaborating with The Gallows on one track, Staring At The Rudeboys, unfortunately not on this album.
He also beat Sway to a team up with Barbelith’s favourite smackhead, Pete “Street” Docherty. Pete and Babyshambles are on the new album, backing the Biz on Boy.
Unfortunately the track with the Babyshamblers is about the weakest thing on the album. I'm not a big fan of their stuff, but I had thought it might be interesting at least. No joy there, unfortunately. The non-stop wackness from Pete's gang continues.
But yeah. Bizzle always felt more exciting than this album shows him to be. I think I might go back an album and leave this one in my pile of 'worth keeping, never really seem worth playing all that often' CDs.
Props to him for trying to move around the styles with his latest, but I definitely wasn't into it as much as his more grimey stuff. I do think he’s great, though, and I’m currently in love with his cover of Jump Around. It's on his myspace, and I reckon it's a great track.
Bizzle's been mentioned on Barbelith before, but i don't think he's ever had a thread. He's been mentioned around other threads. Some of his classic tracks get deck time at all the best parties, including sea-born Brighton ones.
He also said “When white kids jump around it’s called moshing, when black kids do it’s called a riot” in a Time Out feature, reminding me of a few conversations had about the reception different depictions of ‘bad behaviour’ in rap and rock often receive, some of which happened here on Barbelith with his work as a discussion point.
So aye.
Bizzle.
Whatcha reckon?
His website
His music myspace
His personal myspace (EDIT: I have since found out that this isn't actually Bizzle... the power of research)
His Wikipedia page |
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