Dizzee Rascal

Award-winning music artist and former Futureversity student

Dizzee Rascal, 27, born Dylan Mills, grew up on a Bow council estate in east London. His father died when he was young and, by his own admittance, Dizzee spent much of his youth being a ‘bit of a naughty boy’ (which earned him the name ‘rascal’). After expulsion from one school after another, a teacher spotted his talent in music and encouraged him to pursue it. He did so with increasing vigour – completing a free music technology course run by Futureversity and doing stints of DJing and MCing. In 2003, at just 19, Dizzee became the youngest ever recipient of the prestigious Mercury Prize with his debut album, Boy in da Corner. He has since managed to maintain a phenomenal level of success with three more critically-acclaimed albums and numerous No 1 singles. He became a Patron for Futureversity in 2007.

‘Futureversity give kids constructive things to do when they could be getting up to nonsense. I know from experience - especially in the summer when there’s a lot of free time - doing art, sport, computer technology... it helps; it’s constructive. I think it’s a great thing to be a part of.’

Dizzee Rascal at Dine For The Future, 2011

Watch Dizzee storming the stage during our Dine For The Future fundraising event at the Savoy in 2011 and auctioning his own shoes! Joined by one of our young people, the pair raised £1,600 for Futureversity - and went home in their socks...