We’re excited to share the final episode in season one of Unsung, our podcast with Sonos Radio where the world’s greatest artists reveal their heroes who never caught the spotlight.
We’ve had Caroline Polachek discussing the lasting influence 1980s British pop band Prefab Sprout had on her work and Future Islands’ Samuel T. Herring on 90s alt-rock frontman Mark Sandman.
Since then, former Crack Magazine cover star Beabadoobee was in conversation with gal-dem’s Music Editor Tara Joshi speaking about Filipino rock band The Itchyworms and Detroit hero DJ Stingray spoke to Christine Kakaire about Keith Tucker of Aux88. Earlier this month, we spoke to pop music legend. Dr. Susan Rogers about 90s alt-rock band Geggy Tah.
To round off the series, we’re touching base with a true musical innovator.
Dizzee Rascal is one of the most influential British artists of the 21st century. Born and raised in East London, his musical journey started aged 14, rapping over jungle and drum ‘n’ bass on London’s pirate stations. In 2003, Dizzee released his debut album, Boy In Da Corner. Capturing the tension and isolation of inner-city life through lucid lyrical storytelling and a groundbreaking production style now known globally as grime.
Dizzee’s Unsung choice is Memphis rapper Project Pat. First making waves through collaborations with Three Mix Mafia, the hugely influential rap trio founded by his brother Juicy J, Pat’s distinctive flow, playfully irreverent lyrics and his taste for minimal, lo-fi beats gained him cult status and helped anoint the South and the new capital of US rap. It’s also a sound which, in the 90s, captured the attention of a young Dizzee Rascal, then a schoolboy in Tower Hamlets.
Dizzee talks to journalist and documentary maker Kieran Yates about discovering Pat, his affinity with Southern hip-hop which led to a 2007 collaboration with Pimp C and Bun B of UGK and what it means for music to be a product of its environment.
Listen to the podcast in the player above and explore the Sonos Sound System Archive here and subscribe to Unsung here.
The series is produced by Eliza Lomas and mixed by Becky Street. The series leads are Duncan Harrison and Luke Sutton.