2020 has been a good year for British grime heavyweights. We’ve had Wiley with The Godfather III, the collaborative project Insomnia led by Skepta, Chip and Young Adz and now Dizzee Rascal with his seventh album: E3 AF. It holds ten frenetic tracks, all recorded in London over three years, and provides a panorama of London’s sound. Grime is, of course, the main genre here. Though while he went back to his roots on his previous album Raskit in 2017, this record takes grime in new directions. Dizzee marries it with other influences, being the pioneer that he is. On Body Loose he raps “I live the high life, I am not a liar / If you're looking for a vibe, I am the supplier.” And whatever vibe you’re looking for, he’s got it. He takes a dip into UK drill on Act Like You Know before swerving towards 2-step garage on You Don’t Know. The rhythms multiply and mix and even though he respects the rules of the genres, they’re reappropriated enough for you to feel his thirst for innovation. The songs L.L.L. Love Life Live Large with Chip and the last track Be Incredible with its pop-like chorus from Rob Jones TV are proof of this, sitting on the border of at least three different genres. Dizzee Rascal is one of grime’s bosses, so of course he’s allowed to choose what direction to take it. © Brice Miclet/Qobuz