Dizzee Rascal and Vevo release short film, Don’t Take It Personal

The film is an extended interview piece to complement Vevo’s Ctrl performance series, and sees Dizzee Rascal visit significant locations that have inspired him or meant something to him over the years.

Starting at Bethnal Green’s Slider Cuts barber shop, he sits in the chair for a trim to discuss his latest endeavor. “You called your album Don’t Take It Personal. Why?” asks the barber, “Because we live in a very sensitive time where everyone’s getting upset about everything that ain’t got shit to do with them” Dizzee laughs, “When people disappoint you in life of you feel like they’ve done you dirty or whatever, a lot of the time it’s not necessarily about you, it’s about them. If you do take it personal, that will take you down a road that’s…unproductive.”

In the piece, he talks with collaborator D Double E, who he credits with teaching him how to emcee. On the ride over, he expands on this legend status, saying, “At the time, I don’t know if I would describe myself as an innovator - I was just trying to work with what I had. Because if we’re being truthful here, my sound came from not having. I didn’t have all the big bits of equipment that would have allowed me to make the popular music of the time, whether it be pop music or even garage since they used samplers in those times.”

Vevo’s global Ctrl series highlights the work of hard-hitting, cutting-edge musicians making an impact in today’s music scene. Dizzee Rascal’s performances follow sessions from Giggs, Rick Ross, ENNY, M Huncho, Common, EST Gee, Flo Milli, Pusha T, 2 Chainz, Jadakiss, Fabolous, Latto and more.