Cultural Life: Dizzee Rascal, rapper
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How long have you got? There's so much music I'm listening to. My favourite music is hip hop. The Newham Generals, signed to my label Dirty Stank, are wicked. I've been listening a lot to Underground Kingz – known as UGK – the American rap duo Bun B and the late Pimp C. He was found dead in his hotel room on Sunset Strip in Los Angeles last month. I also like the American rappers Jay-Z and Snoop Dog. And I've been raving at Fabric nightclub in London, at DJ Hype's drum-and-bass night.
Film
I saw Enchanted with my girlfriend. It's a comedy-fantasy-musical film starring Amy Adams and produced by Walt Disney. It's nice as it's a cartoon that turns into the real-life thing. I Am Legend starring Will Smith is gripping. I watched Hitman, too, directed by Xavier Gens. And Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End was proper action-filled viewing.
Books
I am halfway through a Richard Branson book about his plans to save the environment with Virgin. But I didn't manage to get a quarter of the way through his autobiography. I'm also reading Muhammad Ali: The Story of a Boxing Legend by Alan Goldstein. I've already read The Greatest and The Soul of a Butterfly: Reflections on Life's Journey, both by Ali. It's interesting to see the trials and tribulations people go through to get where they get to. I respect their drive. Even 50 Cent's autobiography, 50 x 50: 50 Cent in His Own Words was really good. It's much better than his autobiographical film, Get Rich or Die Tryin', about an orphan who becomes a drug dealer before making it as a rapper, which he also starred in. I'm too busy thinking about music to write my autobiography, but there's enough material for it!
Theatre/opera
I can't remember the last time I went to the theatre. I've thought about going to the opera – just to get another perspective on entertainment would be good – but I haven't got around to it yet.
Dizzee Rascal's February tour includes the NME Awards show at Shepherds Bush Empire on 17 February (www.gigsandtours.com)
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