User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 193 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 15 out of 193

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  1. Dec 2, 2015
    9
    Dizzee Rascal is very original unique real and raw. He spits real rap with crazy british slang and a perspective from the british gangs. This album is one of the most original rap albums.
  2. Oct 5, 2013
    10
    The perfect grime album! Intelligent lyrics, sick flow and perfect beats. This album gives British hip hop a good name and is a must buy! If you love British hip hop and grime, then you will love this album.
  3. May 23, 2019
    8
    A cornerstone in grime, british music, and hip hop in generals history. This album is a grimey, dark and spiritual journey through the streets of london. This album destroys americas monopoly over hip hop and is a criminally underrated piece of music
  4. Jun 17, 2018
    9
    One of the greatest Hip-Hop albums to ever come from the UK, all coming from an 18 year old who started his own genre from this debut masterpiece alone.
  5. May 4, 2021
    10
    Classic album the grime bible still the best uk rap album ever made. I luv u is one of the best debut singles ever released by any artist.
  6. Jan 26, 2012
    10
    The best album i have ever heard. Tells many different stories which rappers seem to lack. The sound is just great and would recommend to any rap fan especially UK rap fans.
  7. Feb 27, 2020
    10
    Stupendous. The original corner boy. 'o If that girl know's where you stay that's poor
    some whore banging on your door what for
    pregnant? what're you talking about this for fifteen, she's underage that's raw and against law 5 years or more and she wants a score and half of a draw some kind of friend that you try and ignore that whore got you pinned down to the floor but its your
    Stupendous. The original corner boy. 'o If that girl know's where you stay that's poor
    some whore banging on your door what for
    pregnant? what're you talking about this for
    fifteen, she's underage that's raw
    and against law 5 years or more
    and she wants a score and half of a draw
    some kind of friend that you try and ignore
    that whore got you pinned down to the floor
    but its your own fault you said three magic words (i love you)
    when that's the one for the birds
    when you said that she forgot other boys
    its over you better start buying the toys
    there was no intention in front of your wife
    that…'
    Expand
  8. Apr 16, 2016
    5
    Just because it's one of the first if it's grime genre doesn't mean it is good. This album is good but brings nothing new or better to the table. If there is another album to listen to i wouldn't listen to it but if you have nothing else to listen to, give it a try, you might like it.
  9. Feb 3, 2020
    10
    Absolutely riveting flows and surprisingly satisfying and new sound accompanied by a unique voice and well mastered and catchy tracks “boy in da corner” is well worth a listen
  10. LadyRascal_BumTings
    Sep 10, 2003
    10
    Big up Dizzee Raskit. Dis album is Blingin. Rascal is da Sickest Mc out der. He's a cold lyricist! ''Luv talks 2 everyone, Money talks more'' !!!!!
  11. DylanM
    Oct 5, 2003
    10
    This album is a wicked debut album and one of those great garage acts out there. It's so surreal and Dizzee has such a young talent.
  12. DJLammy
    Aug 20, 2003
    10
    What the hell is Boy in da corner???!!! Honestly all i can say is WOW where the F**K did he just come from, this album is on another level not just in UK hip-hop but music on a global scale. I promise you won't regret this purchase-its an essential underground classic-for real. Peace
  13. BryanC
    Sep 12, 2003
    7
    Not easy listening, no life changer but hard and fresh. By the way, it is just me or do most of the other reviews on this page seem concocted by the same person using different pseudonyms?
  14. billallen
    Sep 8, 2003
    10
    sick sick album
  15. JeremyB
    Feb 1, 2004
    9
    Garage from a young star who's only beginning to rise. The hardest chainsaw blast lyrics and intelligent songwriting make Dizzee a sure thing. Fuckin' A!
  16. rubys
    Feb 4, 2004
    10
    dis cd is sick its hevy keep it up RASKIT!!!!!!!!
  17. rubys
    Feb 4, 2004
    10
    dis cd is sick its hevy keep it up RASKIT!!!!!!!!
  18. waynef
    Mar 22, 2004
    10
    ill album
  19. briannas
    Mar 2, 2004
    10
    dis album is heavy! da riddim hold ya mouf is da bomb! Go geddit!!!!
  20. AkhilK
    Apr 3, 2004
    10
    WOW! The best damn rapper i have ever listened to. And not only are the beats and rythm the best i've heard, the lyrics actually make sense..once you understand them.
  21. jimz
    May 28, 2004
    10
    this album is the biznuss!@! shouts from au
  22. jamied
    Jun 2, 2004
    10
    in my eyes the best c d made in years also a superb new young mc on da music scene
  23. chrisj
    Aug 20, 2004
    2
    2 is the number of songs that made my toe tap. i can't understand this guy!!! the sound of his voice makes my dog jump in the toilet.
  24. dizzeez_gal_4eva
    Oct 16, 2003
    10
    dizzees ur lyricz r HETIC!!! u b keepin it raw man! bare sik!!! u got da "BLING~BLING!" xxx
  25. RapCzar
    Dec 1, 2003
    10
    Just grabbed the import, he's the real deal, highly original, it blows the wrapping off the CD.
  26. Heinrich
    Aug 15, 2003
    10
    A sonic adventure that blows you away from all the current cliched music scene.
  27. ObinnaP
    Aug 20, 2003
    10
    this is has to be only just the illest garage album in history
  28. lauraw
    Sep 17, 2003
    10
    dis is a phat albulm, n all ya chats go wel wit cha own beats, keep it up u wil go far!!!! love 2 cha!!! if ur eva in romford gi me a chat bak XXXXXXXXXXXX
  29. McJonesy
    Sep 24, 2003
    10
    Phat CD, Diz geez iz da bad bwoi of garage!!!!!
  30. stephenh
    Sep 24, 2003
    10
    no comments its a sick album
  31. GilbertMulroneycakesInTheField
    Jan 21, 2004
    10
    "Who are these critics, and why do they love rapping with a British accent so much?" It's not a British accent, it's heavily West Indian. And "nothing special"? Come on, now. When you can drop this kind of sincere poetry about YOUR nonchalantly grim lifestyle, with so little apparent effort, that's when you get to say that. He's not much for talking - poor sod got "Who are these critics, and why do they love rapping with a British accent so much?" It's not a British accent, it's heavily West Indian. And "nothing special"? Come on, now. When you can drop this kind of sincere poetry about YOUR nonchalantly grim lifestyle, with so little apparent effort, that's when you get to say that. He's not much for talking - poor sod got sliced and diced for being supposedly "surly" at the Mercury Music Prize (an Album Of The Year award which is a bit of a Big Thing to win over here. He won) when he was just like a rabbit in the headlights. But who needs to talk when you can weave the truth like this? Boy's got talent. Expand
  32. scottm
    Jan 23, 2004
    10
    it is sick........... i luv u is da best song. stop dat is class
  33. charlottes
    Jan 29, 2004
    10
    This album is da best iv bought in age. da best song is brand new day and jezebel cuz der like realy cool IM HIS BIGGEST FAN EVA!!!!!
  34. AnonymousMC
    Feb 24, 2004
    10
    raskit mercs dis album i'm ratin it @ 10 out of 10 cos its unique and aims @ whats really happening to the typical east, south london black man
  35. rubys
    Feb 4, 2004
    10
    dis cd is sick its hevy keep it up RASKIT!!!!!!!!
  36. rubys
    Feb 4, 2004
    10
    dis cd is sick its hevy keep it up RASKIT!!!!!!!!
  37. rubys
    Feb 4, 2004
    10
    dis cd is sick its hevy keep it up RASKIT!!!!!!!!
  38. dopey
    Feb 4, 2004
    10
    dis iz fat i is nevz eardz anyting like tis blood! respect 2 any1 who iz lovin tiz cd az much az me
  39. sophier
    Mar 17, 2004
    10
    shabby n tough
  40. Norma..frOmhollandyeah
    May 1, 2004
    10
    flex!!!!
  41. LozzaL
    Jul 4, 2004
    2
    This album is OVER-RATED. The shit is straight weird. I thought it was rap/hip hop...what i got was...just crap...some people told me its Garage.like the Streets...but the streets shits all over this album.
  42. rtfreed
    Aug 1, 2004
    10
    A great CD! It's great from beginning to end. I really like Sittin' Here, I Luv U and Fix Up, Look Sharp.
  43. Jordijordi
    Sep 20, 2004
    10
    Showtime is also good, but Boy in da corner is still the best...
  44. JimbozZ.
    May 26, 2006
    10
    Best hip hop in years.
  45. GiovanniO
    Aug 17, 2006
    2
    I tried hard to like this album. I don't give a puck if he is from Mars, or Europe for this case: he sounds too silly for me and I have heard 100X better beats in Fruity Loops. Believe me this is whack.
  46. danl
    Oct 18, 2003
    10
    Dis album is fresh, fly and frenzied! Cant get enuf of dis s*it! Dizzee is simply da best! Roll Deeeep!
  47. adrianp
    Dec 12, 2003
    10
    this is of the hook your bless big it up and keep it up MC badger
  48. MCBaDgEronelove
    Dec 12, 2003
    10
    yo this is the don blud keep it up dizzee peace out
  49. angeliquea
    Sep 13, 2003
    10
    da album 's da HEAVY it's TIK TIK BOOM
  50. Lydia
    Sep 19, 2003
    10
    dis album is def worth buyin its so different and the lyrics r heeeevy get it bst trak probs 10 or 12
  51. MaartenW
    Sep 23, 2003
    10
    Yeah biatch, I'm from Belgium and I fuckin' like this shit. Finally another big album in HipHop. Fuck Ja Rule!!!!!
  52. SamS
    Sep 9, 2003
    10
    Dizzee Keeps it Real, Raw & Street 10/10 and Totaly desrved to win The Mercury Music Prize
  53. WillB
    Jan 21, 2004
    8
    Dizze is a great MC by UK standards, however UK magazines and newspapers can only break artists off labels at least as big as XL (Dizze's label - also home to Prodigy & Basement Jaxx) - UK music right now does have some exciting MC's such as Fallacy, Rodney P etc... the problem is every time the papers pick up one act and say there the saviour of a UK scene - they do this with Dizze is a great MC by UK standards, however UK magazines and newspapers can only break artists off labels at least as big as XL (Dizze's label - also home to Prodigy & Basement Jaxx) - UK music right now does have some exciting MC's such as Fallacy, Rodney P etc... the problem is every time the papers pick up one act and say there the saviour of a UK scene - they do this with Basement Jaxx, however the UK dance scene has a cutting edge of artists like Adam Freeland, Freq Nasty, ILS, Tayo etc... making 130 breaks based music....hovever they'll never break in the US as the UK papers you see reviewing this album do not know what's going on.... Expand
  54. kanderse
    Jan 22, 2004
    6
    Don't believe the hype. Cheap beats and high-pitched British accent to not mean innovation. As bad as 'The Streets'.
  55. JamieW
    Jan 31, 2004
    10
    Go buy it!!!
  56. TKillah
    Jan 30, 2004
    10
    Hard to tha core, a boy is flyin high. Copd that cd in canada. G'd up shit. Big up dizzee, keep it underground 4eva. Rool deep.
  57. TimS
    Jan 30, 2004
    2
    Totally overrated. Don't believe the hype (this is feeble)!
  58. allyj
    Feb 18, 2004
    10
    da album iz heavyyyyyyy !!! and dizzee iz propa buff *stop da violence increase da peace*
  59. hannahmelling
    Feb 27, 2004
    10
    IT FUCKIN SICK N I LIKE IT A LOT
  60. beccaw
    Feb 29, 2004
    10
    dope
  61. BobJ
    Mar 17, 2004
    10
    Simply Pimp
  62. RudeBoy
    Mar 21, 2004
    10
    wot more can u want, sick lyrics, crazy flows, and a message, that is very rare these days with many fickle rappers, OH I FORGOT where is he from ENGLAND, how old is he 19. OUT OF THIS WORLD .
  63. dortrog
    Mar 26, 2004
    9
    trick boner
  64. danielw
    Apr 9, 2004
    10
    dis albums nang but it cud do wit sum mixes feat wiley/roll deep but uva den dat its deep
  65. Skeemareppineastpappap!!!!!!wat
    May 18, 2004
    10
    standard dis album is big out here. no long ting straight up and down big
  66. cabling
    Jun 14, 2004
    10
    da best beats around whether it is up or down
  67. Maestro
    Jun 29, 2004
    0
    Wow, am I the only one who isn't feeling this? The instruments are dated, Pacman-esque burps and chirps. Matched with a flow, while clever, is infinitely clouded not by Rascal's slang, but his seal bark delivery. Unlistenable, aside from "Fix Up..."
  68. Andreas
    Jul 17, 2004
    9
    This is DIFFERENT and I love that, and it's really funky. For those who doesn't feel this album, I think u should give it more time. The great albums sounds strange in the beginning, but becomes better better, and I feel that "Boy in da corner" is one of those.
  69. TaZzYRaScAl
    Sep 2, 2004
    10
    dizzee is heavy az man i luv im t bitz im hiz no1 fan coz all his lyrics r real, love ya dizzy xxxxxxxxx
  70. matta
    May 27, 2005
    7
    Maybe a little overrated (not as good as The Streets or Roots Manuva) but still very original and pretty fun to listen to. Brand New Day and I Luv You are amazing.
  71. MattP
    Sep 5, 2005
    5
    May be the most refreshing debut album of the new millenium.
  72. MichaelR
    Feb 9, 2006
    10
    Most original and gritty album ever. Clear to see the blend between electronic and the best and most real lyrics work superbly. clear to see he is the best british rapper ever produced
  73. SimonS
    Mar 6, 2006
    10
    WOW! This album had me dancing like a fool for days.
  74. richardj
    Jun 22, 2006
    10
    Best British and Hip-hop album for years, only some underground stuff can compete, looking forward to the new one! This still works bvery well and doesn;t date which is weird for Hip-HOp stuff! Buy this you won't be disappointed!
  75. overrated
    Nov 8, 2003
    6
    Okay, but nothing special. Who are these critics, and why do they love rapping w/ a British accent so much?
  76. CraigG
    Dec 17, 2003
    10
    "Jus Sittin' Here" is the best track on the album it is a rude boy album rascal runs da underground scence ya dun no!
  77. StephanieLeigh
    Dec 19, 2003
    10
    dis 1 of da best albums in istry an dizzee iz no.1 (i luv u dizzee)
  78. deec
    Jan 22, 2004
    10
    Went to London on vacation. Saw Dizzee while over there. Solid album, with outerworldly beats. Some people will hate but they need to expand their idea of what rap is. I never heard of garage rap but the album is tight.
  79. roberta
    Jan 26, 2004
    8
    original even in the darkest of corners.
  80. DaCobra
    Feb 15, 2004
    10
    Dutty album cant wait 4 wileys an all da rest 2 reach out daan eya trus Brapz 2 dizzee xx
  81. marks
    Feb 27, 2004
    10
    this cd is the dogs bollacks!!!!! if you don't have it get it, u r missing out well bad!!!!!!!! this is the best album in the whole fucking world!!!!!
  82. s.w.e.dnasty
    Mar 28, 2004
    10
    dizzee rascal keep up the good work soldier the album is strong man , you could say yous a bad blad heheh
  83. TracyOkello
    Apr 13, 2004
    10
    I think Corners a heavy album I've recommened it 2 bare brehdas coz at 1st I didnt lyk him den I listened 2 his album and ya nah I fell in luv wid it Peace...xx Laydee T
  84. Jojó
    Apr 18, 2004
    10
    Simply one of the best hip hop ablums ever.
  85. ElTopo
    May 13, 2004
    10
    This is some shit right here.
  86. Chronwell
    May 26, 2004
    9
    I think a few of these tunes could bump in clubs in the States. DR got that low budget Mannie Fresh production thing goin with the drum machines. Brilliant! Check out Wiley too!
  87. standinuptall
    Sep 18, 2004
    10
    this album is heavy stop dat is sik
  88. WugBob
    Nov 16, 2003
    10
    This is a fabulous album. Unproduced feeling rap, with innovative beats and original style. I don't listen to much rap, but when i hear a debut album like this one, it makes me feel i should.
  89. KayneW
    Dec 21, 2003
    10
    Hmmm....comin from a US point a view I think this CD is FRESH, EXCITING has HARDCORE BEATZ and most of all its got great party tunes and has lyrically serious tunes. Cop dis CD *Peace: 2004*
  90. danielakabad-man
    Dec 31, 2003
    10
    dis is sum deep stuff g.dizzee rascal is a bad man!!!
  91. Feb 18, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Classic uk rap album. Every song is a banger. Real storytelling lyrics. Best ever uk rap album. Expand
  92. Irrelevant
    May 22, 2008
    7
    Michael C--I'm not disputing the merits of this album, necessarily, but your including "Eric B." on a list of rap giants is just plain ignorant, since Eric B. did not rap. Rakim rapped. But thanks for playing. Maybe you should review rap albums in the context of rap music only when you have some clue as to what you're talking about.
  93. AdamS
    Oct 3, 2006
    1
    Proof positive that professional criticism is worthless. Listen to this album - you won't believe it. Track 6 ('Fix Up, Look Sharp') is the generally accepted "best" track on there.
  94. JustinD
    Sep 16, 2006
    10
    This is one of my all time favorites. Nothing else like it.
  95. natahna
    Mar 6, 2007
    10
    it is the best
  96. DanA
    Jun 24, 2007
    10
    An AMAZING album. Dizzee Rascal is a great artist and single handedly got me into the Grime genre.
  97. ryans.
    Jul 2, 2007
    10
    sikkkkkkkk album bruv 'sittin here' is a bad tune big up all my blazers!!!
  98. ashp
    Jul 27, 2007
    0
    'o all you guys chattin bout hip hop or garage and tryin to rate it by those standards better shh hut yuh muh', 'sikkkkkkkk album bruv 'sittin here' is a bad tune big up all my blazers!!!' 'standard dis album is big out here. no long ting straight up and down big' - to quote a few, do you know how stupid you sound seriously!
  99. FrankD
    Jun 1, 2008
    9
    This album really kicks ass ! It´s one of the most original rap albums of all time. Don´t miss it !!!
  100. Pelicaine
    Oct 28, 2006
    10
    This album is a beast, lyrically and musically. The lyrics are none of the multi-syllabic acrobatics used in today's American underground rap, but Dizzie still holds his own on the mic. The beats accompany what he has to say perfectly. The beats are well-put together pieces of ear candy of all sorts. I have yet to find anything that compares to this album. This CD will stretch and This album is a beast, lyrically and musically. The lyrics are none of the multi-syllabic acrobatics used in today's American underground rap, but Dizzie still holds his own on the mic. The beats accompany what he has to say perfectly. The beats are well-put together pieces of ear candy of all sorts. I have yet to find anything that compares to this album. This CD will stretch and blow your mind. One of the album's of the decade, if not century. Collapse
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Q Magazine
    70
    [A] strikingly stark and innovative debut. [Sep 2003, p.102]
  2. It all makes for a bleak spread, but Rascal rises up as a singular musical presence too brimming and perceptive to let the coarse world around him pass by untouched.
  3. Blender
    80
    His hard-edged, dance-inflected debut makes East London sound like the new Dirty South. [Jan 2004, p.108]