Jeremy Paxman: How does it seem to you?
Dizzee Rascal: It's positive. It's positive because he is mixed race as well, so he is an immediate, immediate symbol of unity. And I think, know what, hip-hop played a big part in this as well. I don't think he could have done it without hip-hop. Hip-hop is what encouraged the youth to, um, get involved in voting and making the place better and he is the first president to embrace it.
JP: Sorry to interrupt you, but ... could you see this happening in Britain?
DR: Yeah. In time.
JP: You're rather positive!
DR: Yeah, man. Why not, man? There's a first time for everything, isn't there? ... if you believe you can achieve, innit?
JP: Dizzee Rascal, do you believe in political parties in Britain?
DR: Yeah, they exist. I believe in 'em ... I don't know if it makes a difference. But you know what I mean. It is what it is. Politicians ... say what they say - you might get every now and again a genuine one, innit? But I think people, like, as a whole make the difference ...
JP: But in the end you've already told us how excited you feel about the election of a black president, clearly an individual does make a difference ...?
DR: Yeah, to help boost the morale. But change comes from everybody coming together and making a difference.
Baroness Amos: Here in the UK, we don't talk too much about the nature of Britishness ... the way it has changed ...
JP: Dizzee Rascal, Mr Rascal, do you feel yourself to be British?
DR: Of course I'm British, man! You know me! ... what's good. I think it don't matter what colour you are, it matters what colour your heart is and your intentions. I think a black man, purple man, Martian man can run the country ... as long as he does right by the people.
JP: Well why don't you run for office?
DR: See, that's a very good idea. I might have to do that one day. Dizzee Rascal for prime minister, yeah! Wassappenin'! Barack Obama embraced hip-hop, man. That's the way he got through to kids. There was a more young vote ever. And it was through hip-hop!
