Dizzee Rascal is a 41 year old MC, songwriter & producer from London, England, United Kingdom who’s often considered a pioneer of the grime subgenre. His 2003 full-length debut Boy in da Corner under XL Recordings has been hailed as some of the best UK hip hop this millennium although Showtime & Maths + English were mildly received in comparison. Tongue ‘n Cheek launched his own label Big Dirtee Records in tandem with Island Records, following it with The 5th as well as Raskit & E3 AF respectively. Don’t Take It Personal was a modest declaration of independence & was intrigued by what his 9th studio LP had to offer almost a week after FTR, Kanji, Connor Mills, the current CMLL Mundial Femenil Campeon Persephone, Swerve Strickland alongside The New Level, The Brawling Birds, Mercedes Moné, Will Ospreay, La Parka, Kelani Jordan, Jackson Drake & Grayson Waller all respectively became the new RPW British Tag Team Champions, RPW British Women’s Champion, RPW British Heavyweight Champion, AEW tbs Champion, AEW World Trios Champions, AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions, AEW Women’s World Champion, AEW World Champion, AAA Latinoamericano Campeon, NXT Women’s Champion, NXT North American Champion & NXT Champion.
“Foxtrot Oscar” opens up taking inspiration from electronic dance music instrumentally talking about doing whatever he wants because he’s a rockstar whereas “VIP” hooks up a rubbery bass-line so he can boast of not having to show ID when pulling up to the club. “Hit the Spot” leans towards a house vibe for a raunchier approach topically including a cringey sample of “Candy Shop” by 50 Cent until the 3rd single “So Hot” serves a weird blend of hip house, jackin’ house, Euro house & Brazilian bass sampling “Hot in Herre” by Nelly.
Continuing from there with “On Rpt”, we have more romantic lyricism over house beats containing a bit of an R&B twist to it just before the 2nd single “C U Dance” talks about wanting to watch a woman’s dance moves over a self-produced hip house instrumental. “Don’t Say a Word” further combines hip hop & house suggesting for people to listen & follow rather than merely speaking while the grime standout “Muy Bien” aggressively gets on his hardcore shit.
“All Night” began the whole rollout in the form of this uninspired lead single talking about letting the bass blast until sunrise while the 4th & final single “What U Need” treads the bassline waters promising to give his lover whatever it is she desires. “The Baddest” goes back to the hip house side of things talking about a lean-bodied woman being the best thing he’s seen all evening while “Oh Why” rattles off a list of questions he’s had for some time.
The song “Look Twice” prepares to wrap up We Want Bass speaking of a lady who’s so beautiful that Dizzee had to double check by looking at her a 2nd time while the delightfully surprising “Ridin’ Round Slow” featuring [Bun B] finds the pair talking about driving around in their whips slowly so all the pussies can see them. Another favorite would be the closing track “Tell Me Why” because he’s really taking these final minutes to get some serious shit off his chest.
Would’ve never imagined Dizzee Rascal making something almost as bad as The 5th if not worse since Raskit, E3 AF & Don’t Take It Personal we’re all average at best but here we are with another low point in the grime pioneer’s discography. I completely understand the hip house, jackin’ house, Euro house, Brazilian bass & bassline production was meant to homage the UK club scene except it all feels repetitive & the hardcore joints all outshine the sexually charged cuts.
Score: 1.5/5
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