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Estelle: 'Paxman treated Dizzee Rascal like an idiot'

'American Boy' singer slams the BBC presenter

December 18, 2008 | 36 Comments
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Estelle has slammed BBC presenter Jeremy Paxman following his interview with Dizzee Rascal on the 'Newsnight' TV show on November 5.

On the programme Paxman asked Dizzee if he felt he was "British", and discussed the possibility of the rapper ever entering politics himself.

Estelle has since accused Paxman of treating Dizzee like an "idiot".

She told the New Statesman, "I was like, 'He is taking you for an idiot right now! Did no-one brief you?' Paxman's not going to get away with asking me, 'Do I think I'm British?'"

The BBC responded by saying, "The topics being discussed were race, nationality and identity, and this question was a natural part of that discussion."

Replying to Paxman, Dizzee said, "Course I'm British, man – you know me. It doesn't matter what colour you are. It matters what colour your heart is man, and your intentions.

"I think a black man, purple man, martian man could run the country as long as he does right by the people."

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Comments (36)

Add a comment

jamesheal

Dec 18, 2008

I don't think Paxman treated him like an idiot necessarily, but he treated him the way he treats everyone else that goes on the programme - infact I thought Paxman was actually a bit more polite and jovial with Dizzee than he is with many politicians who get a right grilling. I'm guessing Estelle perhaps doesn't watch much Newsnight?

Museician

Dec 18, 2008

If he didn't sound like an idiot they Paxman wouldn't have treated him like one.

Heather2007

Dec 18, 2008

And i bet she said that in a American accent :P

TOMQ84

Dec 18, 2008

Paxman is right he's not British, Jesus was born in a stable but he's not a fuckin horse, its a sad day if he's classed as British.

Lycius

Dec 18, 2008

Amazing, really. Did she even see the interview? The torrent of retardation pouring from Dizzee Rascal's mouth was look-away-from-the-screen horrific. I think Paxman did an admirable job, considering he had what appeared to be a sentient garden vegetable as a guest. It was hip hop that won the election, innit?

burnsybaby1987

Dec 18, 2008

YES! GO JEREMY! WHAT A LEGEND! YEEEEEES! First Michael Howard now Dizzee Rascal! Make idiots of 'em all! They're all idiots. Estelle thinking she can go toe to toe with Jeremy? Laughable! Please have her on Jeremy...PLEEEASE! Dozy mare.

SmokeMyCorgan

Dec 18, 2008

Well, I'm afraid in that interview Dizzee came across as an inarticulate cliche ridden fool. I'm with Paxman.

97mde

Dec 18, 2008

You mean he isn't American??? Crikey, the way he acts, dresses and talk you'd think he was from the Bronx (just like half of the British country at the moment). Paxman was spot on if you ask me.

Museician

Dec 18, 2008

P.S. PAXMAN IS A LEGEND

Meddick

Dec 18, 2008

TOMQ84 how stupid are you trying to be?

sw00080

Dec 18, 2008

I've just seen the video and its excellent. Someone on that video is a complete and utter moron and I'll give you a clue as to who it is, its Dizzee Rascal!!!

Lewis Jamieson

Dec 18, 2008

Am I reading TOMQ84 and 97mde wrong or are you just horrible little nationalists? What someone wears does not make any difference to their nationality but where they are born generally does, hence nation being part of nationality. Or do you have to wear trilbys and brogues to be British now? So much for multiculturalism within the active NME bloggers. Don't go listening to any of that 'foreign' music kids, you might break out in hoodies......

markiechops

Dec 19, 2008

Would you like to tell me more about why you've decided that Dizzee Rascal is NOT British, TOMQ84, or are you scared that you'd have your profile deleted if you did?I suppose it's probably slipped your mind that if it wasn't for African-American music the NME - or contemporary British Music and the Industry as a whole - wouldn't even exist. Idiot.

markiechops

Dec 19, 2008

I'm somewhat disheartened by the racist undertone of many of the responses to this article. I suppose that Dizzee might have come across as a political lightweight during his appearance on Newsnight, but I think it's a bit ripe of you lot to get too uppity bearing in mind the fact that many of you spent most of the Autumn eulogising the wilfully ignorant Gallagher brothers. Given the choice between the two parties, I know who I'd rather see in a position of power, and he doesn't have enormous eyebrows.

jamesblagburn

Dec 19, 2008

Tomq84 you should join the bnp, you make me sick. I havnt seen paxman talking to dizzee, but i find it embarrassing when middle class white people are on TV with rappers, or even just black people and say shit like "dont bust a cap in my ass!" its cringey!!

hness

Dec 19, 2008

TOMQ84 Dec 18, 2008 Paxman is right he's not British, Jesus was born in a stable but he's not a fuckin horse, its a sad day if he's classed as British.Holy shit! Are these the type of people the NME are attracting nowadays?...with the whole Glasto thing this year plus these horribly racist attitudes. indie rock is about as multi- cultural as Glam metal......sad sad bastards...Dizzie is as British as any of you motherfuckers, only more so....

Lycius

Dec 19, 2008

@TOMQ84 You appear to be getting the concept of species confused with that of nationality. Excellent work, you fucking retard.

Koreema_know

Dec 19, 2008

TOMQ84 comes across as such a caring, well-rounded human being. From the look of the comments people have posted on this board it really is no surprise that the BNP are gaining increasing support. Disgusting.

i_pot

Dec 19, 2008

Did e 'eck as like!

thegoldslug

Dec 19, 2008

TOMQ84, fuck you. Yes paxman is a ledge.

citizenerased19

Dec 19, 2008

I thought I'd identified all the idiots and cretins on these messageboards, but TOMQ84, you take idiocy to a new level. You're a fucking racist retard.

Prettypettythief

Dec 19, 2008

Dizzee Rascal for Prime Minister

TimesUp

Dec 19, 2008

Meddick / Lewis jamieson - You should see TOMQ84 other posts!! The guy has no brain cells to speak of. Plus he thinks the world revolves around Manchester? The guy is a fool. Just pitty him like i do :o)

pigeon shit

Dec 19, 2008

Paxman was not ridiculing him at all, he looked like he was enjoying the conversation for a change. And Dizzee made some good points, just because he doesn't speak in the Queens Oxbridge english doesn't make him an idiot, you have made yourself look that way with your racist bullshit remarks. And Estelle? I'd love to see her on there but it would have to be a satellite link from NYC because she's too busy shopping to make the trip.

ed2005

Dec 19, 2008

Haven't seen the interview but not happy about some of the comments on here. Yes Dizzee is British. He doesn't sound American. Racists should be barred from commenting on here. The problem isn't people dressing 'American' (what does that even mean?!?!) the issue is people who think they are 'gangsta' and are complete racists.

Craig2uk

Dec 19, 2008

I think you're reading TOMQ84 's comments right, he's got form for this sort of thing when posting comments

Craig2uk

Dec 19, 2008

I read the transcript, I

TOMQ84

Dec 19, 2008

I have not got form Craig2uk I'm just speaking the truth, I'm sorry if you disagree but Indie music is white guitar bands simply as that, this is our music and they can stick to RnB and Rap, as thats their music, is that ok hness?

TimesUp

Dec 19, 2008

TOMQ84 - "I'm sorry if you disagree but Indie music is white guitar bands simply as that"...... What are you talking about you muppet? Are you even on the same topic?.... Do yourself a favour and dont comment on anything ever again on this site!!

Superscally

Dec 19, 2008

TOMQ84 - is that so? Have that Kele Okereke and Gary Powell just got very good suntans then? You absolute spack. Go and eat some Country Life butter...

TOMQ84

Dec 19, 2008

(Superscally) Well first off I absolutely detest Bloc Party, especially Kele Okereke, they are simply a nothing band as there is nothing about them. Gary Powell is only a drummer so he is not really in a position of power is he? (TimesUp) indie music is white bands sing white muic so don't see what your problem is, went see Kings of Leon the other night and the whole audience was white, its not racist, its just fact so deal with it. We have our music and they have thereâ€™s. Like at Glasto, I went it was full of white people and they wanted white bands, look at the reaction to Jay Z.

TimesUp

Dec 21, 2008

Just because Jay Z wasn't welcomed, doesn't give you the right to say black people cant be in indie bands!! I bet your the sort of person who wants to bring in all black and all white schools aren't you? Get out of the1960's and into the real world.... You can tell people totally disagree with you on this site, and i find them very offensive. So i wouldn't both trying to defend your opinions. I bet even your mate Noel G would kick your ass for these retarded comments.

Superscally

Dec 21, 2008

Whether you like Bloc Party or not is irrelevant, the fact is that they're a major indie band and half of the band isn't white. Of course there are more white people at Glastonbury - there's more white people with enough disposable income for a start. I imagine you'd say this wasn't the case as, to echo Kele's lyrics "they're taking our women and taking our jobs"...Of course different ethnic groups will have different musical tastes, but to say indie music is for white people is ACTUALLY retarded. I was at a Roots gig a few weeks back and the audience there was still mostly white and no, before you ask, they didn't have their jeans halfway down their arse, wear hoodies or communicate purely via the medium of beatboxing. Similarly, I'm noticing more and more people of different ethnic groups at "white" gigs, which is great.The Beatles and the Rolling Stones and therefore pretty much every other British and American band therefore were inspired by the Blues and Soul, so maybe we're all listening to black music at Glastonbury and the joke's on you. P.S. I was at Glastonbury and the reaction to Jay-Z seemed overwhelmingly positive...

crackfoxxx

Dec 29, 2008

I know, all of TOMQ84's comments seem to express a sentiment of a wholehearted willingness to bend over and take it from the Gallagher brothers. If not that, it's dogshit like "i'm a manc, therefore i must love the stone roses, mad fer it, me mad fer it", and "i'm too much of an idiot to understand Radiohead, therefore they must be arty and pretentious". TOMQ84's not a music fan he's a football hooligan. And yes, you are a racist. Don't try to mask uninformed and intolerant opinions behind a salt of the earth, 'i'm just telling it like it is shtick', it doesn't fool anybody.On another matter, since when is indie music just white guitar bands anyway?Both descriptions seem to say that your definition of an ideal indie band doesn't extend beyond shite like the Courteeners. As well as Bloc Party being an ethnic mix, 4 of TV on the Radio's 5 members are black, but that doesn't matter beacuse they are probably too 'arty and pretentious' for you.In short, TOMQ84, you are a racist fuck with the misguided opinion that unoriginal and derivative meat and potatoes Britpop reigns supreme over all other music, and still 'matters'. (Did it ever?)Come on NME, ban this thug.

TOMQ84

Jan 8, 2009

I must be getting to you

Craig2uk

Mar 4, 2009

TOMQ84: yes, you do get to people, in the same way that racism gets to people, it is completely without defence. You are an horrendous person. Please feel free to say that I dont know anything about you and I can't say that, but you are racist scum, do us all a favour and fuck off