The 5-minute Interview: Dizzee Rascal, Rapper

'Being famous is not something you expect and it changes everything'

Dizzee Rascal, 21, won critical acclaim with his 2003 Mercury Prize-winning debut 'Boy in Da Corner'. He has since released two follow-up albums, 'Showtime' and 'Maths and English', and established his own label Dirtee Stank. He is also a Vauxhall Tribes judge, responsible for finding the UK's upcoming urban dance and music acts

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

I'd just be chilling, man.

I wish people would take more notice of...

What I'm actually saying in my songs. You know, the lyrics. Sometimes people listen to music and don't catch everything.

The most surprising thing that happened to me was...

I don't know. Maybe it was being famous. I don't know who expects that. It's not something you expect and it changes everything.

I am not a politician but if I were...

I'd raise the minimum wage. And I'd make public transport free.

The ideal night out is...

Drinks somewhere. You know, just going to some clubs with a nice vibe and nice girls.

I'm good at...

Making music. Making love. That's all that matters to me really.

I'm very bad at...

Giving a shit. Just in general, about anything. Nah, I'm only joking. I'm bad at holding my tongue.

You know me as a musician but in another life...

I'd be an athlete. When I was little I liked athletics. I was good at running.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

People are people. So just know yourself and get on with it.

Alice-Azania Jarvis