This is what I call the "playing devil's advocate" review.

The UK garage scene is dramatically different to the North American hip hop scene. Yes, the two are similar in that they boast MCs and sampled beats and whatnot, but let me assure you that Dizzee Rascal is like nothing you have ever heard or seen in your life.

First of all, the UK garage scene started out as a movement, not a genre. It began with guys like Wiley and Mike Skinner (The Streets) acting as guerilla DJs hijacking radio waves and playing their own music to get exposure. It was completely illegal, yet it became so popular that these DJs (and MCs) became underground gods. The whole scene blew up and it is now probably the biggest thing to hit the UK music scene since the Spice Girls. Now it's crossing the pond. We all know The Streets, and Eskimo and Wiley and them lot will be emerging soon enough right next to our boy Dizzee at an American CD store near you.

In my opinion, the difference between garage and hip hop is that garage involves a greater emotional investment. Now don't get all huffy on me, hip hop heads, I know there is a great deal of passion invested in hip hop too, but you have to look at the garage scene as if you were looking at hip hop twenty years ago. Back in the 80s hip hop was a movement, just as garage is now. With the commercialization of the garage scene it will probably lose its soul, just as hip hop has done over the years (and don't even try to argue that point with me). For the mean time though it is pure, raw energy oozing out of the speakers and into your virgin ears, just like how hip hop did back when you first listened to EMPD or Boogie Down Productions.

Why am I writing all this? Because people are going to hate on this stuff if they don't bear in mind that the garage scene is like nothing else, just as hip hop was twenty years ago. The mainstream hated hip hop and dismissed it as a fad, yet now in 2004 it rules the airwaves. As recent as the early 90s hip hop was seen as overly subversive, aggressive and hyper-political; today, the UK garage scene is being similarly labelled.

To be honest with you I haven't warmed up to the garage scene yet, let alone Dizzee. I happen to find the production over-simplified and unpleasant. That's just my particular taste though. I do, however, appreciate that this is a movement that is pushing the genre limitations of the mainstream music that has controlled the industry for almost ten years now. I don't have a problem with that - I happen to love a lot of mainstream music - but it's nice to have a change once in a while. I don't know where or how the garage scene is going to evolve but I assure you that it is totally different from what you are used to in your earphones and, like it or hate it, it is truly a beautiful thing to see a subversive underground movement acheiving success in a perpetually close-minded industry, just as hip hop had done way back when.

I am from the uk and love this stuff. I am amazed how much you like this, so if you like "Grimey UK G" as its kown over here please check out Wiley, Shystie, DJ EZ, More Fire Crew, or anything with sidewinder on it.

Rascal's beats are original but sometimes sparse. But it's his lyrical talent and delivery shines through here. Lyrically as good as "boy in da corner" although his talent seems less astonishing this time around. There are some standout songs such as "Stand Up Tall" and "Graftin". Mainly its daring and innovative. Rascal will one day take his place among the rapid-fire legends.

Showtime is a good uk grime album. Many people who do not understand the UK grime scene need to be educated about it before they say that its just Hip-Hop that is sped up, because it is not the case. As you listen to the album you can see that Dizzie's talent increases and that his music is nowhere near hip-hop. However if you are not used to listening to this music or you are narrow minded then this album is not for you. If u are willing to to listen to it with an open mind, then you will abe able to appriciate the talent that Dizzie has and the sound of something that is truly BRITISH. Dizzie is the trend setter for bringing UK grime overseas and his album justifys why he has a cross over appeal to the americans and the British. However there are many Grime artists that will be following in the footsteps of Dizzie. Artists such as KANO will be making it big! In conclusion Grime is British music, for too long the Brits have been trying to do what the americans do e.g. hip-hop, but now its time 4 da U.S. to stand up and take notice of the Grime scene! All of da UK STAND UP TALL!!!!

This is a revew for people in the U.S. (or anywhere else) who are new to grime or who have the album and want to get their hands on some similer stuff.

Grime is a music that stemed from garage, a combanation of dancehall, drum n bass, hip-hop and bashment but it has it's own feel. It's a very underground scene that relies mostly on raves, pirate radio and white label releases.

If you liked this album or "Boy in da corner" then you should check out the following classic garage and grime tracks and albums: (you will have to download most of the individual tracks listed)

More fire crew: More fire crew c.v (album)

Fire camp: No

Roll deep: When i'm ere, candy, boogy man

Wiley kat: Eskimo, Igloo, wot do u call it?, pies, golly gosh, ice rink

Lethal B (Lethal bizzle): Against all oddz(album), forward riddim "pow", Forward 2,

Kano: Boys luv girls, Home sweet home (album)

Nasty crew: Nasty bonanza

SLK: Hype Hype

Shystie: Diamonds In the Dirt (album)

Sway: This is my Demo (album), This my promo Vol 1 and 2 (album),

Riko: Dead, Dead that

Various: Roll wid us

Lady sovereign: Random