Maths + English
Maths + English is the third studio album by British grime and hip hop artist Dizzee Rascal, released on 4 June 2007 by XL Recordings.[1] The 14-track project marks a shift toward more accessible, American-influenced production while retaining Rascal's signature energetic lyricism and grime roots, featuring collaborations with artists such as UGK, Lily Allen, and Arctic Monkeys' Alex Turner.[2] Produced primarily by Rascal alongside contributors like Cage, Shy FX, and Futurecuts, the album blends subwoofer-heavy basslines, Southern bounce elements, and club-oriented beats to explore themes of street life, paranoia, and cultural identity.[1] Critically acclaimed for its transatlantic appeal and mature songwriting, Maths + English received an 8.4 out of 10 rating from Pitchfork, which praised its "ferocious verses" and fusion of grime with hip-hop influences from artists like Timbaland and UGK.[2] The album's lead single, "Sirens," issued on 21 May 2007, debuted as a gritty, industrial-rap track that peaked at number 10 on the UK Singles Chart, signaling Rascal's commercial evolution.[3] Follow-up singles included "Pussyole (Old Skool)" and "Flex," the latter reaching number 23 on the UK charts in November 2007 with its upbeat, danceable energy.[4] Notable tracks like "Where's Da G's" showcase the UGK feature's Southern rap flair, while "Temptation" highlights Turner's indie-rock contributions, underscoring the album's genre-blending ambition.[1] Overall, Maths + English solidified Rascal's status as a versatile innovator in UK urban music, bridging underground grime with broader hip-hop accessibility.[2]Background
Development
Following the release of his second album Showtime in September 2004, which debuted at number 8 on the UK Albums Chart but sold approximately 100,000 copies—significantly fewer than the 300,000 units achieved by his Mercury Prize-winning debut Boy in da Corner—Dizzee Rascal conceived Maths + English in 2006 as an effort to expand his audience while preserving his grime foundations.[5][6][7] The project emerged from a desire to address the relative commercial limitations of Showtime, blending the raw street narratives of UK grime with more accessible, upbeat elements to achieve broader appeal without fully abandoning his origins.[8] Rascal's planning emphasized incorporating American hip-hop influences, such as the energetic snap style from Atlanta artists like OutKast and Young Jeezy, to infuse party-oriented energy into his sound, while retaining the distinctly British essence of grime through themes of urban exclusion and resilience.[8] This fusion included playful tributes to cultural touchstones like the 1976 musical Bugsy Malone, sampled in the track "Wanna Be" to evoke a gangster aesthetic reimagined through a UK lens.[8] Early decisions shaped the album's direction, including the exclusion of a planned collaboration with Joss Stone on "Da Feelin'," which Rascal deemed "too poppy" after her hook clashed with the track's intended grit, opting instead for the original sample to maintain authenticity.[9] Thematic planning focused on a balance of introspective reflections on societal pressures and celebratory anthems offering escapism, initially structured around a 12-track sequence that Rascal expanded to 14 for the standard edition at the label's suggestion, incorporating additional grime-leaning cuts.[8] Recording sessions began in 2006, allowing Rascal to refine this vision into a cohesive statement on cultural identity and ambition.[8]Influences
The album Maths + English draws significant inspiration from American hip-hop, particularly Southern acts, which informed its rhythmic and thematic elements. Dizzee Rascal cited influences such as OutKast, Young Jeezy, Dem Franchize Boyz, and D4L, aiming to incorporate "jump-up party shit" to create more accessible, banging tracks that bridged UK grime with U.S. styles. This is exemplified by the inclusion of Texas duo UGK on "Where’s da G’s," where Bun B and Pimp C's "certified gangsta" flows blend with Rascal's delivery to critique poseurs while merging grime's intensity with Southern bounce and g-funk grooves.[8][2] Building on Rascal's foundational work in UK grime, Maths + English represents an evolution from the raw, immediate sound of his 2003 debut Boy in da Corner, which emerged from garage and drum'n'bass roots tailored to street youth culture. While earlier grime often felt parochial and boundary-bound, Rascal sought greater mainstream accessibility here, Americanizing production to expand beyond niche origins without abandoning his East London identity. Only tracks like "U Can't Tell Me Nuffin'" retain a direct lineage to pure grime, signaling a deliberate shift toward broader appeal.[8][2] The album's title itself nods to the British education system, evoking the core subjects emphasized in secondary schools under New Labour policies, where Tony Blair's "education, education, education" mantra highlighted math and English as foundational. Rascal, who was excluded from school during this era, frames the title as a metaphor for "beats and words, cash and culture, formulas and creativity," positioning the album as an alternative education in urban life and artistry for inner-city youth facing systemic barriers.[10][8] Cultural references extend to British cinema, notably in "Wanna Be," which updates the 1976 film Bugsy Malone's soundtrack song "So You Wanna Be a Boxer" by changing "boxer" to "gangster" for a satirical take on aspiring toughs. This sample-driven approach, possibly sparked by the track's prior use in a Cheese Strings advertisement, infuses the album with playful, nostalgic British pop culture while critiquing gangster pretensions.[11][2] Production on Maths + English reflects the impact of high-profile U.S. producers like Timbaland, whose slick, layered beats shaped tracks such as "Bubbles" and "Flex," introducing polished hip-hop structures to Rascal's sound. Despite these external contributions, much of the album was self-produced by Rascal alongside collaborator Mr. Cage, allowing him to maintain creative control while drawing on broader beat-making influences for varied, radio-friendly textures.[2][12]Recording and Production
Sessions
The recording sessions for Maths + English took place primarily in London studios from 2006 through early 2007, with Dizzee Rascal serving as the primary producer throughout the process.[13] Most programming and initial recording occurred at Belly of the Beast Studios in Bermondsey, South London, a facility known for its role in grime and electronic music production, while additional work happened at Raskit's Lair, Rascal's personal setup.[13] The sessions maintained a high level of secrecy due to security concerns, limiting details on exact movements between locations.[8] Rascal handled self-production, with Cage, his manager and engineer, assisting on several tracks, including additional production on "Where's Da G's" and "Paranoid."[13] Shy FX contributed co-production and mixing specifically to "Da Feelin'," bringing garage influences to the track.[13] Futurecuts provided production on "Wanna Be," while Footsie contributed to tracks like "Suk My Dick."[13] The core sessions were completed by late 2006, but the album underwent a rushed finalization phase in early 2007, including last-minute remastering just weeks before the June 4 release.[8] A key logistical challenge involved sample clearances, which resulted in the omission of tracks like "Lemon" from the final album due to rights disputes over its interpolation of Peter, Paul and Mary's "Puff the Magic Dragon," and similar issues affected international releases.[8] For instance, "Pussy'ole (Old Skool)" was omitted from some US and Canadian digital versions owing to uncleared samples from Galactic Force Band's "Space Dust.") These hurdles extended the timeline for approvals and tweaks, contributing to the intense pre-release period.[8] Featured artists, including those on collaborative tracks, participated in vocal recordings during these London-based sessions.[8]Featured Artists
The album Maths + English features limited guest contributions, with Dizzee Rascal maintaining primary creative control over the project alongside producer Cage, resulting in only a select few collaborations that align with his vision of blending UK grime with broader influences.[8] One prominent feature is Lily Allen's guest vocals on "Wanna Be," where she delivers a playful hook inspired by a sample from the 1976 film Bugsy Malone. The track's production by Futurecut incorporated the film's skippy, upbeat dialogue—"So you wanna be a boxer?"—which Rascal reworked into a gangster-themed narrative, with Allen's contribution added swiftly despite her scheduling constraints; Rascal revised his lyrics multiple times (up to four iterations) to ensure the song's hit potential while preserving its lighthearted tribute to the movie's child-actor aesthetic.[8] UGK (Bun B and Pimp C) appear on "Where's Da G's," providing a rare cross-Atlantic hip-hop connection that bridges Rascal's grime style with Southern rap's bounce and g-funk elements. The collaboration shifts seamlessly from Rascal's high-energy, UK-inflected verses to UGK's laid-back drawl, creating a dialogue across genres and geographies that highlights shared themes of street credibility without overpowering Rascal's original beat.[2] Joss Stone contributed an initial vocal hook to "Da Feelin'," which she offered after meeting Rascal, but her parts were ultimately excluded from the final version. Rascal explained that the song sounded "too poppy" with Stone's soulful delivery, preferring to revert to the original sample for a grittier feel that better suited the album's raw energy; he emphasized that the decision was not a reflection on her performance but on maintaining the track's intended vibe during mixing sessions.[9] These selective features underscore Rascal's hands-on approach to production, where he and Cage handled the majority of the album's 14 tracks independently, avoiding extensive guest involvement to prioritize his artistic autonomy.[8]Music and Lyrics
Musical Style
Maths + English represents a significant evolution in Dizzee Rascal's sound, fusing the raw energy of UK grime with Americanized hip-hop production techniques, characterized by heavier, subwoofer-stressing basslines and Southern bounce beats that draw from Southern rap and g-funk aesthetics.[2][14] This blending is evident in tracks like "Where’s Da G’s," which incorporates slow, low-end synth swirls and punchy drum machine rhythms alongside collaborations with U.S. artists UGK, creating a transatlantic club-rap vibe that contrasts with the more insular grime of Rascal's earlier work.[14][15] The album's tracks average 3-4 minutes in length, allowing for concise, high-impact structures that prioritize momentum over extended experimentation, while incorporating electronic elements such as looping sirens and live drums in "Sirens" to evoke a tense, urban urgency.[16][17] Rascal's self-produced beats further distinguish the record, pulling from garage and R&B influences—like the 2-step garage bounce in "Flex" and Timbaland-esque synths in "Bubbles"—to deliver a polished yet ferocious sound that moves away from the chaotic, metallic rawness of his debut Boy in da Corner.[2][14] For the U.S. edition released by Definitive Jux, the album includes exclusive remixes that add experimental layers, such as El-P's rework of "Where’s Da G’s," which layers horns and snare drums over the original's sped-up bassline to enhance its accessibility and textural depth.[18] This version underscores the album's genre-blending ambition, bridging UK electronic roots with hip-hop's broader experimental traditions.[18]Themes
The album Maths + English explores themes of urban life in East London, emphasizing the harsh realities of street culture while advocating for broader horizons beyond the "ends" or ghetto, including a push for education and intellectual growth as a counter to the limitations of council estate existence and urging listeners to "read and educate yourselves" amid the temptations of gang life. In tracks like "Pussyole," Dizzee Rascal delves into the betrayals and duplicity within personal relationships forged in street environments, reflecting on past friendships and the "road yout days" of his youth with a mix of frustration and nostalgia.[14][2][19][20] Humorous and satirical elements permeate the lyrics, particularly in "Wanna Be," where Dizzee mocks celebrity aspirations and fake toughness with lines questioning, "What you know about being a hard man, your mom buys your bling?"—a jab at inauthentic posturing in hip-hop and urban culture.[20][14] This track, featuring Lily Allen, blends wit with critique to highlight the absurdity of wannabe gangsters chasing superficial status.[21] Social commentary features prominently in "Sirens," which addresses the constant threat of police presence and societal pressures in urban settings, drawing parallels to experiences of racial profiling and street survival with a philosophical undertone on law enforcement's role.[2][14] In contrast, "Flex" embodies bravado through confident, playful declarations of self-assurance, celebrating determination with lyrics like "I got my eyes on the prize," though rooted in the aggression of grime's street ethos.[14][19] The album balances raw aggression with introspective moments, marking Dizzee's evolution from the chaotic energy of his debut Boy in da Corner toward more mature reflections on personal struggles and lost friends, as seen in "Paranoid" where he grapples with paranoia and exploitation in the industry.[20][19] This duality underscores his growth, blending confrontational street narratives with calls for responsibility and wider awareness.[21]Release and Promotion
Singles
The album Maths + English was promoted through three singles released in 2007, each contributing to building anticipation for the full project while showcasing Dizzee's evolving sound blending grime with broader hip-hop influences.[22] The lead single, "Sirens", was released on 21 May 2007 via XL Recordings.[23] It debuted and peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Chart, marking a return to the top 20 for Dizzee Rascal after a period away from commercial peaks.[24] The track explores themes of urban paranoia, depicting the tension of street life under constant surveillance by police sirens, with its intense, escalating verses capturing a sense of escalating unease.[25] Despite limited initial airplay on television and radio, "Sirens" received notable radio rotation that helped sustain interest leading into the album's launch. Followed by "Pussy'ole (Old Skool)" on 30 July 2007, also through XL Recordings.[26] This single reached a peak of number 22 on the UK Singles Chart after four weeks on the listing.[27] Noted for its aggressive diss track style, it targeted Dizzee's former collaborator Wiley amid their public fallout, reverting to a raw, old-school grime delivery over a sparse beat to assert dominance in the scene.[28] The third and final single, "Flex", arrived on 19 November 2007 via XL Recordings.[29] It charted at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart and topped the UK Indie Singles Chart for two weeks, reflecting its niche appeal within underground circuits.[30] Featuring a bouncy, garage-influenced production, the track brought danceable energy with its infectious rhythm, encouraging physical movement and marking one of the album's more club-oriented moments.[31] No additional singles were released from Maths + English after 2007, with the campaign concluding alongside the album's post-release momentum.[32]Marketing Strategies
The album Maths + English was released in the United Kingdom on 4 June 2007 through XL Recordings, an independent label known for its role in the UK grime scene, with availability in physical formats such as CD and double vinyl alongside digital downloads to maintain its indie aesthetic and accessibility.[33][1] To promote the album, Dizzee Rascal embarked on the Dirtee Skank tour across the UK in late spring and early summer 2007, featuring support from DJ Tubby and Newham Generals, with dates including Plymouth University on 25 May, London KOKO on 14 June, and Brighton Concorde 2 on 22 June, coinciding with the rollout of lead singles like "Sirens."[34] A follow-up UK tour in November 2007 further supported the album's momentum, with performances at venues such as Leeds University Academy on 2 November and London Astoria on 9 November.[35] The US release was significantly delayed until 29 April 2008 on the hip-hop-focused independent label Definitive Jux, initially launched digitally in June 2007 before a physical edition that included bonus tracks "G.H.E.T.T.O.", "Driving with Nowhere to Go", and the El-P remix of "Where's da G's" (featuring UGK) to better resonate with American hip-hop audiences.[36][14] Due to sample clearance issues with the track's interpolation of Lyn Collins's "Think (About It)," "Pussyole (Old Skool)" was omitted from the US version, prompting adjustments in promotional materials to highlight alternative tracks like the UGK collaboration for broader appeal.[37][38][39]Critical Reception
Contemporary Reviews
Upon its release in June 2007, Maths + English received generally favorable reviews from music critics, earning a Metacritic aggregate score of 78 out of 100 based on 19 reviews.[40] This score reflected praise for Dizzee Rascal's artistic evolution while incorporating broader influences, though some reviewers noted inconsistencies in the album's stylistic shifts. Pitchfork awarded the album an 8.4 out of 10, commending its Americanized production and Dizzee Rascal's growth through trans-Atlantic collaborations, such as with UGK on "Where's da G's," which blended UK grime with Southern hip-hop elements.[2] AllMusic rated it 4 out of 5 stars, emphasizing the album's high energy and Dizzee Rascal's confident delivery across diverse beats rooted in his East London style.[41] NME scored it 7 out of 10, acknowledging Dizzee Rascal's mainstream pivot away from pure grime toward pop and electro elements, as seen in tracks like "Sirens" and "Pussy'ole (Old Skool)." However, not all feedback was uniformly positive; Spin criticized the uneven tracklist for feeling scattered across genres like crunk, reggae, and rock, which disrupted cohesion despite standout moments like "Sirens."[42]Retrospective Assessments
In subsequent years, Maths + English has been recognized as a pivotal bridge connecting underground grime to mainstream UK rap, demonstrating Dizzee Rascal's ability to evolve while preserving the genre's intensity. The album's blend of grime with pop and hip-hop elements facilitated grime's transition into broader commercial spaces, influencing artists like Stormzy, whose 2017 album Gang Signs & Prayer built on similar crossover strategies to achieve widespread success.[43] By the 2010s, retrospective analyses reappraised Maths + English as an underrated entry in Rascal's discography, emphasizing its contributions to globalizing grime through transatlantic collaborations, such as the track "Where's Da G's" featuring UGK, which exemplified early efforts to fuse UK sounds with American rap. Pitchfork's 2021 ranking of the 200 most important artists of its first 25 years underscored the album's significance in expanding grime's international reach and shaping its legacy alongside Rascal's debut Boy in da Corner.[44][43] While no major reissues or anniversary editions emerged between 2020 and 2025, the album sustains an enduring streaming presence on platforms like Spotify, remaining accessible to ongoing listeners and contributing to grime's revival in digital spaces. However, some retrospectives have critiqued its commercialization as diluting the raw, confrontational edge of Rascal's earlier work, such as Boy in da Corner, though this evolution is also praised for enabling grime's mainstream viability without fully abandoning its roots.[45][43]Commercial Performance
Chart Positions
Maths + English debuted at number 7 on the UK Albums Chart on 4 June 2007, marking a career high for Dizzee Rascal at the time.[46][47] The album also topped the UK Independent Albums Chart, reflecting its strong performance within the independent music sector.[48] Internationally, the album achieved modest success, peaking at number 57 on the Irish Albums Chart.[49] It did not enter the US Billboard 200, as the physical release was delayed until April 2008 following an initial digital-only rollout in June 2007.[50][36] The lead single "Sirens", released in May 2007, reached number 20 on the UK Singles Chart and helped build anticipation for the album's entry.[51] Compared to Rascal's prior releases, Maths + English outperformed Showtime, which peaked at number 8 in 2004, and significantly surpassed his debut Boy in da Corner, which reached number 23 in 2003.[6][7]| Chart | Peak Position | Source |
|---|---|---|
| UK Albums (OCC) | 7 | Official Charts Company |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC) | 1 | Official Charts Company |
| Irish Albums (IRMA) | 57 | aCharts.co |
Sales and Certifications
Maths + English was certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in the United Kingdom for exceeding 100,000 copies sold by 2007.[52] The album experienced limited international distribution and sales, particularly in the United States where it was released digitally only due to underwhelming performance of Dizzee Rascal's prior album Showtime, resulting in no certifications outside the UK.[14] Success of lead singles such as "Sirens" provided significant supplementary revenue, enhancing the album's overall commercial viability through associated downloads and airplay.[2]Track Listing
Standard Edition
The standard edition of Maths + English comprises the original 14-track UK release issued on 4 June 2007 by XL Recordings, capturing Dizzee Rascal's evolution in grime and hip hop with raw lyricism and diverse production.[13] The album's total runtime is 48:54, featuring collaborations that highlight Rascal's cross-genre appeal.[53] All tracks were written by Dylan Mills (Dizzee Rascal), with additional credits for featured artists and sampled material where applicable; production was led by Rascal alongside collaborators such as Cage, Footsie, Shy FX, and Futurecuts.[13]| No. | Title | Featuring | Duration | Writer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | World Outside | — | 3:08 | Dylan Mills |
| 2 | Pussyole (Old Skool) | — | 3:28 | Dylan Mills |
| 3 | Sirens | — | 3:30 | Dylan Mills |
| 4 | Where's Da G's | UGK | 4:54 | Dylan Mills, Bernard Freeman, Chad Butler |
| 5 | Paranoid | — | 2:37 | Dylan Mills |
| 6 | Suk My Dick | — | 2:59 | Dylan Mills |
| 7 | Flex | — | 3:31 | Dylan Mills |
| 8 | Da Feelin' | — | 3:57 | Dylan Mills, Andre Williams, Peabo Bryson |
| 9 | Bubbles | — | 3:30 | Dylan Mills |
| 10 | Excuse Me Please | — | 3:40 | Dylan Mills |
| 11 | Hardback (Industry) | — | 4:11 | Dylan Mills |
| 12 | Temptation | Alex Turner | 2:34 | Dylan Mills, Alexander David Turner |
| 13 | Wanna Be | Lily Allen | 3:24 | Dylan Mills, Lily Allen |
| 14 | U Can't Tell Me Nuffin' | — | 3:31 | Dylan Mills |