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The label is about bridging the gap between indies, majors and the street. Stank is the way forwards Dizzee Rascal, 2006 He released two groundbreaking gold-selling albums, won the Mercury Music Prize and toured the world, so in 2006 what did Dizzee Rascal do next? He took his label Dirtee Stank to the next level by signing the most exciting street talent the UK has to offer. We add a pinch of both worlds, says Dizzee. I have an understanding as to what its like to be in the mainstream. And obviously Im from the street. I did the whole underground thing and was one of the pioneers when it comes to grime. We were the first to be selling thousands of white labels so I can definitely bridge the gap and make big things happen man.

Grimes had unprecedented critical praise since it first burst into the national consciousness over three years ago. But while Dizzees first two albums have gone gold (over 100,000 sales each), massive success for most of the artists in the grime scene is hard to point to. Many commentators agree 2006 is the year grime needs to build its own powerbase. Always one to lead and not follow, Dizzee is taking his independent label Dirtee Stank soaring into 2006 with the signings of east Londons Newham Generals and Leicesters Klass A. I had Dirtee Stank before I had my record deal, explains Dizzee.

Its a fully functioning label. The label is about bridging the gap between indies, majors and the street. The name came from one of the first lyrics I had: going on dirty/going on stank, he adds. So I thought yeah f**k it, Dirtee Stank. The logo was some sh*t with flies around it because it was the dirtiest, gulliest think I could think of. Signed to the label are Klass A, former label-mates of Dizzees at XL and the first crew from outside London to really push the social boundaries of UK grime. Then theres Newham Generals aka D Double E, Footsie and Monkey who hail from East London and are currently the hottest live act on road, as their performances on the recent Dirtee Stank tour suggests. Whats unique about Dirtee Stank is that its not run by people who are out of touch, who dont know whats going on or what were experiencing, explains Newham Generals Footsie. Its being run by people who are still doing it. Dizzees still doing it, hes in touch with the scene and we've been brought in.

People look at the grime scene and say youve only got one guy: Dizzee. Who else has done it? Its not like you can run off a list of well successful brers. They ask: what else is going on? Will there ever be another Dizzee? Were gonna change all that. The label has big plans for 2006. Newham Generals are dropping their debut mixtape Welcome to Newham Vol 1, followed by their debut album Generally Speaking. Dizzee is working on his third album, Maths & English, with producers like Footsie from Newham Generals, Shy FX, Mizz Beats and Geeneus. Stank looks like its about to have a big year. Leave the last word to Dizzee himself: Emotion: Its a good way to have a label and f*ck it, its the way Ive done everything else.