FRESH from his celebrated duet with Florence And The Machine at this month's Brit awards, where he scooped a gong for British Solo Male, Dizzee Rascal is performing at Plymouth Pavilions on Wednesday.

The talented MC is standing his ground at centre stage of the British pop scene. His singles Dance Wiv Me, Bonkers and Holiday, taken from his fourth album Tongue N' Cheek, were all number-one anthems and his duet with Florence — You Got The Dirtee Love — is currently at number two in the singles' charts.

Dizzee, real name Dylan Mills, will bring seductive bass lines, sharp lyrics and jumping crowds to his highly-anticipated Plymouth gig. The East London artist has achieved phenomenal success for a 24-year-old. But some have criticised the musical experimentalist for straying too far from his grime roots.

Indeed, his swaggering bravado and lad's banter lyrics seem a long way from the hectic introspection and caustic wit of Boy in da Corner, his extraordinary Mercury Prize-winning debut album in 2003.

His latest hits have all been collaborations with the radio-friendly electronic DJ Calvin Harris and handbag house mixer Armand Van Helden. But, life has not always been so easy for the rapper. Bought up on an estate by a single mum, Dizzee was expelled from four schools before he discovered his aptitude for music aged 15.

Before his first album came out, Dizzee had never travelled much further than Milton Keynes and the only festival he had ever attended was a small rave in London where he climbed the fence. It's a far cry from the last few years, which have seen him headlining major music festivals, such as Glastonbury, V and Reading.

"Even when I was getting kicked out of school I still made music," he said. "I found a way to channel my energies into being creative instead of destructive."

Dizzee said that his change in direction is governed by emotions. "I used to be really angry about life and my music was angry," he said. "But last year I started making happy music and suddenly everything took off — I used to rage about everything, now I like who I am, I'm just the party guy who makes people happy."

Tickets are currently sold out, but returns may be available by calling 0845 1461460.