I am sure 60% [at least] of Sixshot are not familiar with Dizzee Rascal, let me introduce him. He is a black UK rapper from a council estate in an area of London called Bow. 'Showtime' is the follow up to his debut album 'Boy In Da Corner'. 'Boy In Da Corner' sold over 100,000 copies which for a UK rapper is excellent and although he is well known in the UK, news of the London rapper has not yet spread to the other side of the atlantic. This is his first attempt at breaking into the U.S. charts [his debut was focused entirely on the U.K] and you may see him supporting US artists over the next months.

When you get home with your Dizzee Rascal CD and pop it into the CD changer, on first listen you may be disappointed, it takes a while to get used to a garage orientated UK rap. 'Showtime' is an introduction to many new fans this second album will undoubtably bring and a re-introduction to Dizzee's old fans. 'Stand Up Tall' is the first single to be released from the album and although this whole album will get you pumped for a night on the town, this track is the most obvious club banger, and trust me, if you go to see Dizzee Rascal live like I did last month this is the track which will send the crowd crazy, [as well as classic 'Fix Up, Look Sharp from the debut album]. 'Everywhere' is a clever track, the sharp lyrics are slightly let down by a mediocre beat and the line 'My name is Dizzie Diz, I handle my biz' is not the type of l ine which will win you a Grammy, regardless this track is decent. 'Graftin' is a picture of life in one of London's less celebrated boroughs, Bow, the amount of 'Hustlin' Dizzee talks about in this track you could ignore his strong London accent and mix him up with Jay-Z. 'Learn' is another track which will stir a crowd with the repeated bridge 'Who Da Fuck Are You?' Actually when I went to see Dizzee Live in Liverpool a friend of mine almost ended up in a fight after getting caught in a impromptu mosh pit! 'Hype Talk' is not the albums greatest track. 'Respect Me' is probably the albums best track with the repetitive line 'You people are gonna respect me, if it kills you'. This track brings in both Dizzee's bravado and his insecurities. 'Get By' is a story of life on the streets and the struggle of getting heard as a UK rapper is a USA rap dominated word, this track contains the sublime line 'And the sky's are empty, cause the stars are on the ground'. 'Knock, Knock' is not a great track, once again it has lyrics on point but the chorus is unimaginative and nothing stands out. 'Dream' which uses a sample from Captain Sensible's 'Happy Talk' was a self-proclaimed risk and is not a track to listen to with the car radio pumped up and windows open but the song fits perfectly to the subject matter. Dizzee even leaves his braggado at the door and goes as far as saying 'Thank You' to everybody who bought his debut album. 'Girls' is another good track with the highly talented 'Marga Man' and has a slightly immature tinge to it which this highly sensible album could use. 'Imagine' is another excellent track, Dizzee takes his fans out of the ghetto and paints a picture of life on the other side of the struggle or how he puts it on the 'flip side' and questions whether a different life would make you any less 'real' and if this is why people who dont need to stay in the 'grind'. 'Flyin' is a decent track, not one of the best, but decent and is a call out to all the haters who Dizzee has dragged along with him. 'Fickle' is another decent track and has Dizzee digging into past memories and jumping obstacles. He comes to conclusion that the rap game is 'Fickle'.

An album of bravado and eletric beats doesn't sound appealing to you Mos Def and Talib Kweli fans? Well this album isn't for you anyway, the lyrics and not deep but this album will appeal to many. This album is one for those who like to turn the volume up to 0 decibels (which is high by the way) and get 'pumped' before you go out. I expect Southern rap fans would like this music, with the different accent, strong beats and braggado filled verses, Dizzee is not far off Ludacris or Young Buck. A good step forward for UK fans, this album will allow more coverage for rappers like 'Klashnekoff' 'Skinnyman' 'Taz' and 'Jehst', this album, much like Dizzee's first has opened the door to MTV Base coverage for other UK rappers, and believe that door is staying open.

iPod Worthy: 'Stand Up Tall', 'Dream', 'Girls', 'Respect Me', 'Imagine'

Skippable: 'Hype Talk', 'Knock, Knock'

Overall: 4.5 out of Six Shots