Stu Reid Sampler: Dizzee Rascal Mines Rock's Big Beats

I was reminded the other night of just how awesome Dizzee Rascal's "Fix Up, Look Sharp" is. I think it may be one of my favorite hip hop songs of all time - the perfect combination of beat, flow, and lyrics that doesn't ever lose its appeal. What I didn't know was that the beat in the background is a very light rehashing of Billy Squier's "The Big Beat." Rascal takes the song's eponymous big beat and throws it behind his bars nicely. Gotta love a rapper who produces his own stuff and does it well. The original stands up really well on its own, though - tip of the hat to Squier for a pretty great song.

"Fix Up, Look Sharp" is also the highlight of Ratatat's Remixes Vol. 1. The guitar work behind Dizzee gives the track a very different vibe from the stomping beat of Squier, but it's equally hype. I can't tell you how many times I've listened to this track, but I can tell you it's not enough.

Dizzee Rascal - Fix Up, Look Sharp (YSI) (filesavr)

Billy Squiers - The Big Beat (YSI) (filesavr)

Dizzee Rascal - Fix up, Look Sharp (Ratatat Remix) (YSI) (filesavr)