At just 18-years-old, and with only one major single release behind him, Dizzee Rascal's shot from the East London underground, as part of the Roll Deep crew, to being one of the most widely reported artists around.
And the reports are almost universally positive.
It's a rise that has all the speed of a manufactured celebrity popstar. But manufactured is, of course, what Dizzee isn't.
Delivering his lyrics in a breathless barrage, 'Boy In Da Corner' packs the energy flash of London MCing into its grooves and for that alone it deserves attention.
Dizzee's vocal style is a removed version of Jamaican toasting, the result of a journey through the UK's own rap history and, most significantly, the rave scene's trajectory through hardcore to drum 'n' bass and UK Garage.
The album, which was recorded over the last two years, maps out Dizzee's rites of passage from boyhood to, albeit young, manhood.
And the lyrics, as the album title spells out, are speckled with the kind of things a boy who's working things out for himself is likely to have going through his head.
The result is we get an insight into a many sided person, rather than a one dimensional pop personality. The thinking-out-loud observations are sometimes sensitive, sometimes brutal, sometimes funny, sometimes cliche and sometimes pensive.
On 'Brand New Day' a mournful Dizzee laments the rise of violence in his neighbourhood, while on 'Jus A Rascal' he reveals a playful humour.
On 'Jezebel' he recounts an anti-single motherhood moral tale that sits somewhat self-righteously next to 'Cut 'em Off', in which he declares himself "your worst nightmare" before spelling out his quest for domination via postured MC bravado.
But elsewhere we find vulnerability: "Sometimes I feel there's not a lot to smile about so I frown...sleep tight, everything will be all right, at the end of the night will be the day, just pray that you see it."
The message may be contradictory, but the intention is descriptive rather than prescriptive and reflects Dizzee's desire to create a balance between the positive and negative.
Musically 'Boy In Da Corner' fits into the break beat school of UK garage - although it's strongly influenced by the genres rave roots. Like a darker, harder version of Roots Manuva's twisted take on hip hop, Dizzee takes techno and dancehall inspirations to a new, raw and energised level.
According to Dizzee, if he hadn't got into music he would have been drawn into crime - we can thank his music teacher, Mr Smith, formerly of Langden Park school, for encouraging Dizzee to develop his musical talent.
And there is probably a message for all of us there.
But one thing's for sure, Dizzee Rascal is out of the corner and on a roll.
