Dizzee Rascal's horror stabbing, ex-girlfriend’s death, Kim K rejection and Wiley feud
| Published date | 03 August 2021 |
| Publication title | Daily Mirror, The: Web Edition Articles (London, England) |
The 36-year-old had a tough upbringing, with his dad dying when he was young leaving his mum to raise him alone in Bow, East London.
But his life changed when he discovered his music talent on a school computer with the encouragement of a teacher, and was sent to a music workshop in the summer holidays where his skills were nurtured.
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2000-2002
Dizzee released his first single, I Luv U, when he was just 16, and his music career took off when he was mentored by Wiley, who is credited with being one of the artists to create the popular grime music genre.
Aged just 18, Dizzee released his first solo album, Boy in da Corner, which was critically acclaimed and peaked at number 23 in the charts.
He was part of Wiley's Roll Deep Crew, which has featured artists including Tinchy Stryder and DJ Target, as well as Boy Better Know members such as Skepta and JME and.
Dizzee went on to have further chart success, winning a Mercury prize and the NME Award for innovation as he released his second album, Showtime.
2003-2007
In 2003, Dizzee was stabbed five times while whilst performing with Roll Deep Crew in Cyprus -with the culprit never convicted.
The Guardian reported a brawl "erupted after [Dizzee] pinched the bottom of So Solid Crew’s lead female singer, Lisa Maffia".
The publication said Dizzee was "dragged from his scooter in broad daylight and subjected to a vicious knife attack before he was due to perform at the resort’s Gas Club".
They added: "He was treated for wounds to the back, buttocks and chest at the Napa Olympic clinic, where he was kept under police protection until he discharged himself."
Dizzee left Roll Deep shortly afterwards, and Wiley claimed in in 2016 that his long-running feud with Dizzee began after this horror incident.
"The reason we haven’t spoken for so many years… Basically, me and Dizzee went out one night [in Ayia Napa] and there was some fighting with another crew… Then the next day, I decided to carry it on – I didn’t pull out a knife, I was just fighting," said Wiley.
"Well, after we started it up again, those guys came looking for us, but the person they found was Dizzee," he explained.
He believe Dizzee thought he wouldn't have been stabbed if Wiley didn't continue the fight.
"That is the reason me and Dizzee haven’t...
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