Lethal Bizzle

A naturally brash force raised on the frantic rush of drum'n'bass and potent velocity of gangsta rap, Lethal Bizzle set alight the pirate radio stations of London's grime scene as a teenager before quitting college to pursue chart success with the More Fire Crew. Forming his own record label, his debut solo single Pow (Release) won him the MOBO Award for Best Single, before album Against All Odds (2005) caused controversy for its graphic portrayal of violent street life. A long-held rivalry with fellow rapper Wiley was followed by a war of words with David Cameron, when the Conservative Party leader accused hip hop stars of encouraging gun and knife crime. Crossing over into the world of rock'n'roll, Bizzle recorded a track with Pete Doherty's Babyshambles for second album Back In Bizzness (2007) and collaborated with hardcore punk band Gallows for a storming cover of The Ruts' Staring At The Rude Bois. This led to an infamous performance at the hard rock festival Download, where Bizzle was greeted by a swarm of flying bottles thrown by thousands of disgruntled metal fans. Defiantly he stayed on and finished his set, winning the respect, if not the love, of the grizzled rockers.