There were pros and cons to this gig by the UKs best rapper being an NME Awards show. Annoyingly we had to sit through adverts for the mag and TV show Skins while waiting for the artists.

But on the plus side there were hot support acts on the bill to kick off the night at Shepherds Bush Empire.

Dizzees own signing Newham Generals are atrocious though still got a lot of love from the teenage crowd.The duos biggest crime was a horrific track called Girls Dem Slags which had the audience shouting along.

Philadelphias Plastic Little were much better bringing dirty but (crucially) witty lyrics from the US city. Their cover of The Cures Close To Me Get Close is a funky example of their wit.

The chorus features one of the groups milder lyrics: I went to a party and I brought this bitch home, I gave her Cocaine and she went insane.

Former star of Channel 5 soap Family Affairs (we dont write that often) Ebony Bones is a definite talent but risks showing style over substance. On tracks like Dont Fart On My Heart and We Know All About You she has a dirty Ska-punk appeal. Bones also demonstrates smart lyrics- dont piss on my leg and tell me its raining, she sings on No Blacks No Irish No Dogs. However crazy outfits and a Mongolian looking fella sitting on the floor with some drums add nothing to the music.

The main attraction Dizzee Rascal runs through much of his excellent Maths And English disc though not our favourite track Da Feelin. On standout Sirens the crowd go mental like theyre at a serious rock concert. Dizz follows that strongly with his breakthrough hit Fix Up Look Sharp and diss track Old School.

I Luv U is another highlight while the thoughtful Worlds Gone Crazy shows how far the rapper has come in three years. In the encore he debuts Dance With Me which is produced by Calvin Harris.

After mastering jungle, garage, hip hop, grime and indie, this new track sees him take on funky house. It could be just another string to the Rascals bow.