Dizzee Rascal

Like the Streets before him, London rapper/producer Dizzee Rascal melded hip-hop with garage music, released his domestic debut on a primarily indie-rock label (Matador), and earned massive press accolades both in the U.S. and in the U.K. The two have something else in common: while most hardcore hip-hop heads aren't really feeling them, they are popular with dance and indie fans. To be sure, the young (he was 18 when his debut LP dropped) artist is talented, and his approach is both unusual and unique, experimenting with different rhythms and pushing the envelope with his beats. Dizzee's first album Boy In Da Corner won a Mercury Prize in his home country, and its single "Fix Up, Look Sharp" even found airplay here on MTV2 and at countless hipster parties. Whether or not he can capitalize off the hype remains to be seen.