Born Nathan Thompson in the early 1980s, raised by a single mum and the eldest of his siblings, he grew up in a less well off family in Peckham. Originally nicknamed 'Giggler' because of his tendency to laugh even in the most inappropriate situations, this was cut down to 'Giggs'. He became a father at the age of 21, but soon after spent two years in jail for gun possession.
He is known for rapping slowly in a low voice, which he described as "something different, enough to separate me from all the competing others".
Soon after being released from prison in 2005, Giggs started pursuing rapping as a career, instead of a hobby. Giggs and his SN1 crew started off releasing numerous mixtapes, including Hollowman Meets Blade, Welcome to Boomzville, Best of Giggs 1 and 2 and 3 and the hugely successful Ard Bodied, which featured the street anthem of 2008, "Talking the Hardest". His mixtapes have supposedly sold more than 100,000 units. This success helped his buzz expand outside London, however when Giggs first signed to XL Recordings, the record label was allegedly warned by members of Operation Trident to not back the London Rapper as Operation Trident is the Metropolitan Police's specialist team investigating gun crime within the black community in Peckham.
Giggs released the street anthem 'Talkin the Hardest' in 2008, which helped his growing buzz. The track features Giggs rapping over the beat from American hip-hop artist Stat Quo's track "Here We Go", originally produced by Dr. Dre. He then released his debut independent album Walk in da Park on 4 August 2008. The album had two official videos, for the tracks 'Uummm!!' and 'You Raised Me/Open Up'. Walk In Da Park received mainly positive reviews, and was very successful, selling out in most HMVs in the first two days of release.
Let Em Ave It is Giggs' second album and the first on a major label, under the XL Recordings label. "Look What the Cat Dragged In" was released on 7 June 2010 on XL Recordings, and is included on the album, which WAS released on 21 June 2010.
Singles released from the album include 'Slow Songs' featuring Mike Skinner and 'Don't Go There' featuring B.o.B.. In March 2010, "Don't Go There" entered the UK Singles Chart at #60. Giggs has been working with Atlantas JBizzy and produced around four tracks, "Whippin all day" (which can be downloaded for free from www.sn1giggs.com), "Background Ting" which can be heard on the official Giggs myspace www.myspace.com/trapstargiggs and two other which are going to be available on his album.
Giggs also has his own clothing brand, SN1 wear, including T-shirts, jackets and caps quoting previous lines from his songs such as "Talking the Hardest". These can be purchased from these SN1 store or the SN1wear website 'http://www.sn1wearltd.com/'.Giggs and the SN1 crew have opened a SN1 shop which can be found in Peckham Market. The shop sells clothing lines from the SN1 camp, as well as clothing from other designers. They also sell mixtapes and albums from SN1, Giggs and many UK artists.
Giggs has founded his own record label called SN1 Entertainment, it has not yet been confirmed whether or not it will be distributed through XL recordings. So far the only major releases on this label are Giggs debut album Walk in Da Park and Joe Grind Not Your Average Joe
Signs
Giggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fuck my future, I know exactly what it's looking like
Me getting murdered, a look in time
Trying to escape, got me pushing crime
I see the signs from this crooked life
Fuck my future, I know exactly what it's looking like
Me getting murdered, a look in time
I put my pain on the paperwork
When I write this shit down I feel to make it hurt
No mistaken words
I mean everything I say and I make it work
Growing up round here really made me learn
All about the hard way I had to make it burn
Close my eyes and I pray for Termz
I got the news in ATL and it made me squirm
Same time I won the BET
So every time I say it that's exactly what it means to me
So there's no reason you should speak to me
I open up my heart let the people see
Told them they better start getting used to me
Wouldn't be surprised if the police tried to shoot at me
So you need to open up the booth for me
Let me get inside and you'll get nothing but the truth from me
I see the signs from this crooked life
Fuck my future, I know exactly what it's looking like
Me getting murdered, a look in time
Trying to escape, got me pushing crime
I see the signs from this crooked life
Fuck my future, I know exactly what it's looking like
Me getting murdered, a look in time
Trying to escape, got me pushing crime
It's like every other day we screaming rest in peace
Listen to what I got to say cause the message deep
Tryna show them in these depressing streets
Nothing goods happening and that depresses me
I put it right out there get my message pushed
Rest in peace my brother bigz, he's from Shepherds Bush
Rest in peace Ruthless I hope my blessings took
It's painful, hope I make it to the second hook
They talk about gun grime and we reckless crooks
When it's our own government that get the weapons pushed
You think they gave a shit about
Peckham's hood
They drive pass and wouldn't even take a second look
It's only for the strong when you repping hoods
Other Nigga's that were thugging now they taking booge
Niggas struggle and we ain't far from fluorescent boogs
That's why if I blow, trust me,
Peckham's good
I see the signs from this crooked life
Fuck my future, I know exactly what it's looking like
Me getting murdered, a look in time
Trying to escape, got me pushing crime
I see the signs from this crooked life
Fuck my future, I know exactly what it's looking like
Me getting murdered, a look in time
Trying to escape, got me pushing crime
In Giggs's song Signs, he talks about the struggles of growing up in a tough community and how it has affected his outlook on the future. He mentions that he sees the signs of danger and violence in his environment and knows that his future is likely not to be a positive one. He feels like his only way out is to resort to crime, which is a common trap for young people who grow up in low-income and crime-ridden areas.
The chorus is particularly poignant in its openness about the realities of life in these communities. Giggs acknowledges the possibility of his own violent death, and the desperation he feels is palpable in his tone. He speaks of putting his pain down on paper, and how writing about his experiences and emotions helps him to process them. He acknowledges the hard lessons he has learned about "the hard way" and how he has had to "make it burn" to survive.
The second verse takes a more political turn, with Giggs questioning why the government seems more interested in arming the community than in fixing the underlying problems. He speaks of his own experiences with loss and death in his community and how it has affected him personally. There is a sense of anger and frustration in his words, as he tries to make sense of the violence and destruction that seems to be endemic in his environment.
Line by Line Meaning
I see the signs from this crooked life
I am aware of the warning signs that come from living a life of crime and hardship.
Fuck my future, I know exactly what it's looking like
I have little hope for my future, as I can predict it will be filled with violence, danger, and potentially death.
Me getting murdered, a look in time
I can foresee my own death, either through violence or some other tragic event, and it feels like it is only a matter of time before it happens.
Trying to escape, got me pushing crime
I have turned to a life of crime as a means of escape from my difficult circumstances, but I know it is a dangerous game.
I put my pain on the paperwork
I express my emotional pain and trauma through my music and lyrics.
When I write this shit down I feel to make it hurt
I pour out my emotions in a raw and painful way when I write my music.
No mistaken words
I am deliberate in my choice of words and I mean exactly what I say.
I mean everything I say and I make it work
I am sincere in my message and I work hard to make sure it resonates with my audience.
Growing up round here really made me learn
My upbringing and environment have taught me harsh lessons about survival and the reality of life on the streets.
All about the hard way I had to make it burn
I have had to endure many struggles and hardships to get to where I am today.
Close my eyes and I pray for Termz
I have lost loved ones to violence and tragedy, and I pray for their soul and well-being.
I got the news in ATL and it made me squirm
I received news of a tragic event while in Atlanta and it deeply affected me emotionally.
Same time I won the BET
At the same time as experiencing tragedy, I also achieved success and recognition for my music at the BET Awards.
So every time I say it that's exactly what it means to me
I am sincere and authentic in my expression of my experiences and emotions through my music.
So there's no reason you should speak to me
I am confident in my message and do not feel the need to justify or explain it to others.
I open up my heart let the people see
I am vulnerable and honest in my music, and I want my audience to connect with me on a deep level.
Told them they better start getting used to me
I am determined to succeed and become a prominent figure in the music industry.
Wouldn't be surprised if the police tried to shoot at me
I face danger and potential violence from not only fellow criminals, but also law enforcement.
So you need to open up the booth for me
I am confident in my talent and want a chance to showcase it by recording music in a recording studio.
Let me get inside and you'll get nothing but the truth from me
If given the opportunity to record music in a studio, I will be honest and authentic in my message and lyrics.
It's like every other day we screaming rest in peace
I grieve and mourn for loved ones lost to violence on a regular basis.
Listen to what I got to say cause the message deep
My music contains a powerful and meaningful message that I want my audience to pay close attention to.
Tryna show them in these depressing streets
I am trying to raise awareness and inspire hope in the midst of a difficult and harsh environment.
Nothing goods happening and that depresses me
The constant violence and negativity in my surroundings takes a toll on my emotional well-being.
Rest in peace my brother bigz, he's from Shepherds Bush
I pay tribute and honor to my deceased brother Bigz, who was a part of my life growing up in Shepherds Bush.
Rest in peace Ruthless I hope my blessings took
I send my condolences and hope for a peaceful afterlife to someone named Ruthless who has passed away.
It's painful, hope I make it to the second hook
Dealing with the loss of loved ones is difficult and painful, and I hope to have the strength to continue on with my music and message.
They talk about gun grime and we reckless crooks
Society portrays people from my community as violent and dangerous criminals.
When it's our own government that get the weapons pushed
The true source of the weapons and violence in our community is the government and those in power who supply them.
You think they gave a shit about Peckham's hood
The government and those in power do not care about the struggles and hardships faced by people in my community.
They drive pass and wouldn't even take a second look
The government and privileged individuals ignore and overlook the suffering of those in disadvantaged communities like Peckham.
It's only for the strong when you repping hoods
Surviving and thriving in hood environments requires inner strength and resilience.
Other Nigga's that were thugging now they taking booge
Other people who used to be involved in criminal activity are now being caught and facing the consequences.
Niggas struggle and we ain't far from fluorescent boogs
People in my community struggle and are constantly at risk of being caught and facing punishment for their involvement in criminal activity.
That's why if I blow, trust me, Peckham's good
If I achieve success and become a prominent figure in the music industry, I will use my platform to lift up my community and bring attention to its struggles.
Contributed by Adalyn P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.