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Giggs: The Godfather of UK Rap

Minou Itseli

By Minou Itseli

Minou Itseli

22 Feb 2019

Just like Don Vito Corleone from the godfather, Giggs made an offer that we can’t refuse.

His early mixtape triggered spark gap in the UK Rap Scene.

The Godfather definitely left his mark in the scene. One of the main reasons why UK Rap outshone Grime. His previous album ‘Landlord’ peaked at number two in the UK. Redbull listed him in top 25 UK MCs who changed the game. The track, ‘Talking Da Hardest’ is the national anthem.

What makes Giggs the Godfather of UK Rap?

We can clearly see his influences in the UK Rap scene.

Giggs announced the highly anticipated new project ‘Big Bad’, the rapper will release his new project this Friday. The tracklist is noticeably diverse in comparison to his previous projects. The ‘Big Bad’ clearly shows a combination of UK and US features from Jadakiss, Lil Yatchy, French Montana, Swizz Beatz, Gashi, Theophilus London and UK features include Ghetts, Wretch 32 & Labrinth.

What is it?

Is it the originality, comfortability? Some may argue it’s his consensus amongst fans, but a few can discuss his relaying lived experience. Maybe he just has the ‘it’ factor or is it the voice, but maybe it’s the overall talent.

Well, let’s break it down.

Originality is what put Giggs on the map. Projects like ‘SN1 – The Beginning’, ‘Hollow Grind’, ‘Hollowman Meetz Blade’, ‘Walk in da Park’ seen as glorifying the lifestyle. However, his wordplay to convey thoughts and consistency played a part of why all these young male acts currently feel comfortable in their art. His ‘it’-factor was what attract listeners to gravitate to him more. Yet, many record labels at the time were intimidated due to his image. Back in 2014, Giggs mentioned the police shutting down his tour, and “all this great promotion that they’re giving me. All these cancellations are making me more powerful.” He expressed he can evolve without abandoning his roots and beat the obstacles in his path.

It’s known the voice is the main instrument in terms of making sure lyrics, flows, wordplay, and delivery are appreciated by listeners. Any newcomer rapper can take any rapper’s flow, delivery, and cadence although the voice cannot be replicated. Many can say this about Giggs, his voice is distinct, deep, monotone and gravely. When he rapped over the Dr. Dre’s instrumental “Here We Go”, it wasn’t the way he rapped or what he rapped, but the bark and growl of his voice. Which made every line even more chilling and you know this track as ‘Talking da Hardest’.

Nonetheless, Giggs’ consensus amongst fans is a factor despite his albums sales, critical adoration and artist reputation all seem dependent these days. DJ Charlie Sloth mentioned that ‘Giggs is one of the most important artists of our generation, an artist who has never felt the need to conform or change what he does artistically for financial gain; a timeless artist who delivers timeless music.’

Yet, Giggs is a significant reason that UK Rap eclipsed the Grime genre. He always takes a snapshot of his experience, especially in his early career. Projects like ‘SN1 – The Beginning’, ‘Hollow Grind’, ‘Hollowman Meetz Blade’, ‘Walk in da Park’, ‘The Best of Giggs 1 and 2’ grab listeners that can relate or understand what is going on, both the pretty or ugly. Great rappers like Giggs shows the listeners that there is light at the tunnel. Although in August 2009, the police allegedly attempted to dissuade him from having a deal. He turned his Ls, questionable reputation to the public and police into something great and effectively paved the path of UK road rap. He can evolute without neglecting his roots, this is why we have projects like ‘Landlord’ and ‘Wamp 2 Dem’.

Since his first studio album, ‘Walk in Da Park’, Giggs growing reputation in the UK and recently the US doesn’t go unnoticed especially in the UK Rap Scene and we know ‘Big Bad’ won’t disappoint.

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