Boy in Da Corner may be hailed as a landmark in grime, but for me, it’s a difficult and frankly unpleasant listen. The production is harsh and claustrophobic, which might be the point, but it doesn’t make for a compelling musical experience. The beats sound like they were made on a broken Casio in a room with no ventilation, and while that might give it a unique atmosphere, I found it grating more than groundbreaking. Dizzee's flow is fast and aggressive, but the delivery feels exhausting. The lyrics are intense and personal, which I can respect, but the overall tone rarely lets up. It feels like being barked at for an hour straight. There's energy here, sure, but I didn't enjoy being on the receiving end of it. The hooks are minimal or just not there, and it left me cold rather than impressed. I can see why it might have made an impact when it came out, especially as a raw debut that helped define a scene. But this isn’t something I’d ever want to return to. It’s just not for me, and I struggled to get through it. One of the hardest albums I’ve had to sit through on this list.