The Frontier Touring Company are delighted to announce that UK hip-hop export Dizzee Rascal will be rapping up a mid-winter storm in Sydney and Melbourne, when he tours Australia in July.

But just who is Dizzee Rascal, you ask. Well...

According to his record label XL , he's "the voice of a brand new British sound" one of the most unique and innovative artists to emerge from the urban scene to date."Dizzee Rascal is tearing up all the rule books and setting the music world alight with his raw talent."

According to Spin, he's "a sloe -eyed, whip-tongued, slang-crunching revolution in British street sounds, occupying a space between... Charles Dickens... Tupac Shakur... The Streets and Ms.Dynamite."

And finally, according to British magazine Uncut, Dizzee Rascal is said to be "the best rapper the UK's ever produced, period", paling his rivals into insignificance and irrelevance by comparison.

Only nineteen years of age, Dizzee Rascal (born Dylan Mills), hails from London, England. He was raised on a housing project in the city's east side, where violence reigned.His childhood was not without its tribulations – experiences that Rascal uses to enhance his music. Indeed, in his own words, his debut offering Boy in Da Corner is "a reflection" of his surroundings – "it's me sitting on the street corner, watching life go by."

This very album earned Rascal the coveted British Mercury Music Prize for 2003, ahead of Coldplay and Radiohead. The prize recognises the best artists in British music annually, across a range of genres. Previous winners include Ms Dynamite, PJ Harvey, Gomez and Badly Drawn Boy.

Rascal's album, which combines "bottom -end-heavy UK dance, Dirty South gangsta grooves and raw rock attitude" (Rolling Stone), has also received widespread praise from music critics. PopMatters cites Boy in Da Corner as "more than just innovative, new and exciting" but also "perceptive, heartfelt and unwaveringly brilliant", whilst NME describes it as "one of the most assured debut albums of the last five years."

So, in order to ensure that you don't miss out on seeing one of hip - hop's most exciting new talents live, get along to one of the gigs below. But hurry, these tickets are sure to walk out the door.

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY MAY 14