MusicFreaks

Tag: Grime

  • Dizzee Rascal Announces 2026 Australian and New Zealand Tour With Example and Arrdee

    The legendary grime icon Dizzee Rascal is gearing up for a massive return to Australia and New Zealand this November and December, kicking off the festivities with the high-energy We Want Bass Tour.

    This epic journey will take fans across seven major cities, starting in Perth at HPC on November 26 and winding its way through Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, and Byron Bay before concluding in Auckland’s Shed 10 on December 8. Get ready for an unforgettable concert experience.

    Adding to the excitement is a dynamic lineup of fellow stars who will join Rascal on this run. The tour features U.K. dance act Example, rising rapper Arrdee, and Perth DJ Swaglord Savannah, creating a truly diverse and high-octane bill.

    The tour schedule is carefully crafted to maximize the experience: the full four-artist lineup will be featured in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. Adelaide and Auckland will host performances featuring Arrdee, while Byron Bay will showcase Swaglord Savannah, ensuring a unique flavor for every city.

    For those eager to secure their spot, Mastercard and Live Nation presales are happening now through July 8 and 9, with general tickets going on sale July 9 at 1 p.m. local time via livenation.com.au and livenation.co.nz.

    Dizzee Rascal’s legacy is built on groundbreaking music. As one of the most influential artists from London’s grime scene, his debut album Boy in da Corner (2003) shattered expectations, winning the Mercury Prize and establishing him as a foundational figure. His commercial success peaked with Tongue n’ Cheek (2009), which delivered four consecutive U.K. No. 1 singles, including chart-topping hits like “Dance Wiv Me” and “Bonkers.”

    Beyond the grime sound, Rascal’s versatility shone brightly with collaborations, notably his 2010 hit “Loca” with Shakira, which reached the Billboard Hot 100. His lasting impact is further recognized by his appointment as an MBE in 2020 for services to music.

    The tour also brings incredible talent from the contemporary scene. Example has cultivated a near two-decade career as one of the U.K.’s most consistent rap-dance crossover acts, while Arrdee has carved out his space with mixtapes like Pier Pressure, which secured him a high position on the Official Albums Chart and streaming charts.

    Credit: Billboard

  • Jorja Smith announces new album: hear “Alive” (ft Wizkid) and “What’s Done is Done”

    English artist Jorja Smith is ready to share a deeply personal musical journey with the release of her new album, What Are the Odds, arriving on August 21.

    This latest project is a testament to organic creativity, born not from a grand plan, but from instinct. Jorja described the process as something that came together naturally, allowing her to explore sounds and emotions in the moment. Working with regular collaborator and producer P2J, she dove deep into a rich tapestry of musical influences, blending the raw energy of U.K. garage and grime with the warmth of house and Afro house.

    The resulting sound is vibrant and uplifting, yet imbued with a poignant emotional depth. The lyrics navigate universal themes—the complexities of growing up, the bittersweet nature of love and loss, the intricacies of friendship, and the journey of self-discovery. Smith trusts that these complex feelings are woven throughout the record.

    The album showcases this blend beautifully, featuring tracks that capture various facets of her experience. Among the highlights is the club-ready track What’s Done Is Done, released earlier in May, which establishes a strong rhythmic foundation for the project. The album also features a sultry single titled Alive, which brings in the smooth vocals of afrobeats star Wizkid.

    A significant highlight is the track This City, where Jorja collaborated with grime rapper Devlin on a remake of his hit single. This feature adds another layer of dynamic energy and cultural flavour to the narrative of the record.

    The album features twelve tracks, offering listeners a complete sonic experience: For Life, What Are The Odds, What’s Done Is Done, This City (feat. Devlin), Pretend, The Way It Was, I Lied, You Lied, Dancing, Alive (feat. Wizkid), Young Heart, Make It Your Home, and When It Gets Like That.

    Anticipation is building as fans await the full release of What Are the Odds. Beyond the music, Jorja Smith is also set to bring this sound live through a planned tour throughout the fall, featuring performances scheduled across international venues.

    Credit: BrooklynVegan