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
Talking the Hardest
Giggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Giggs better pop up in your thoughts as an artist (Jheeze)
Talk in the market
Everybody wants to know where 'Walk in da Park' is
Walk in the party, sporting Armani
Half of the crowd's all snorting my Charlie
Sorted the bar, time to sort the punani
Chicks looking at me like "talk to me darling" (Jheeze)
Winking, smiling and wanna attack man
I think these lighties loving my Black Gang
Everyone's suit same colour as Batman's
Flipping like a quarter a brick
Bag 28 with a thought of a jib
Anybody thinks they can talk to my click will end up covered in red like a portion of chips (mmm)
Pour me a drink
Big fur jacket, that's the thoughts of a pimp
I used to be quiet, did that sort anything?
So I had to run riot when I bought me a ting
Walk with my ting
Peddling morphine
Dem times dere I was licking out more green
Skip a couple years '07 the story
Now I'm Hollowman with some heavy Dior jeans (mmm)
Bitch niggas lookin' for glory
Wanna beef me so they can tell you a story
It'll get bloody and it'll get gory
Clapped in the neck like Amanda in Saw 3
Yeah I got my suttin' deh pon me
So much straps I'll have a weaponry orgy
Feds try nick me for a murder
But it could've been the man that had the weapon before me
B, White and Green I been peddling all 3
Dropped P a box it was just under 4g
I told her weigh the 10s at 2 grams
And weigh the 8ths about 4g
Bad mans on the block
Spender, Young Giggs, Mantis and Rockz
TB, Tinie, Carlton and Jim Jones
Holding it down while they handle the clock (my niggas)
Pussyholes got my mandem on lock
Straps we handle a lot
Clapped your mandem and what?
Me and you are cool but you can stand there and watch
My PYGs will put their hands on your watch
Be easy, I'll put your mans in a box
Young Lap, TB, JJ and Shockz
I treat my little niggas like fam, not a boss (mm)
All my mandem are hot
But your mandem are washed
Beat a couple shots and you ran to the cops
Big 45 they couldn't handle the shock
I talk about the handgun a lot
But that one Hollowman handles a lot
All the Black Gang fam are handled a lot
Me and Foss bagging up grams at the spot
Shots in my grind gear
Jumped in my vehicle
All gassed up now ima slang me a rock (mmm)
Hollowman handles his job
Feds on the ground, helicopters on top
Beautiful women wanna dock to my cot
A beautiful woman wouldn't stop getting cock
The song "Talking the Hardest" by Giggs, with its raw, gritty sound and sharp lyrics, is an ode to the rapper's status as one of the toughest and most successful artists in the UK rap scene. The opening lines of the song set the tone, warning anyone who claims to be "talking the hardest" that they had better recognize Giggs as the true king of the genre. The next lines dive into the rapper's luxurious lifestyle, with references to designer clothing and party drugs. The chorus then shifts back to the theme of toughness, with Giggs asserting that he is not to be messed with.
The rest of the song is dominated by boasts and threats, delivered with a mix of swagger and menace. Giggs references his past struggles and criminal activities, such as dealing drugs and running with a gang, and asserts his loyalty to his crew. He also warns his enemies that he is heavily armed and capable of violence. The song ends with a reference to his sexual prowess, reinforcing his image as a dominant figure in all aspects of his life.
Overall, "Talking the Hardest" is a powerful expression of Giggs's confidence and status as a top rapper, as well as a warning to anyone who might challenge him. Through vivid imagery and a forceful delivery, the song creates a strong impression of the artist and his persona.
Line by Line Meaning
If you're talking the hardest
If you're trying to boast about being the toughest person around
Giggs better pop up in your thoughts as an artist (Jheeze)
You better recognize that Giggs is the true artist in this game
Talk in the market
People are discussing what Giggs has been up to
Everybody wants to know where 'Walk in da Park' is
Fans are eagerly awaiting Giggs's next album, since his last one was so successful
Walk in the party, sporting Armani
Entering the party in style, dressed in designer clothing
Half of the crowd's all snorting my Charlie
A lot of people in the crowd are using the cocaine I supplied
Sorted the bar, time to sort the punani
After sorting out the bar, it's time to start pursuing women
Chicks looking at me like "talk to me darling" (Jheeze)
The women are interested in talking to Giggs and want him to approach them
Hollering, at man
People are shouting at Giggs to get his attention
Winking, smiling and wanna attack man
People are trying to intimidate Giggs with their looks while also seeming friendly
I think these lighties loving my Black Gang
Younger people seem to love Giggs and his crew, Black Gang
Everyone's suit same colour as Batman's
Many people are dressed in black, like Batman's suit
Flipping like a quarter a brick
Giggs is doing well financially, making around $10,000 every few months
Bag 28 with a thought of a jib
Giggs has been carrying around 28 grams of drugs and is considering selling them
Anybody thinks they can talk to my click will end up covered in red like a portion of chips (mmm)
Anyone who tries to mess with Giggs's crew will get hurt, and Giggs references the blood that will be shed with the phrase 'covered in red like a portion of chips'
Pour me a drink
Big fur jacket, that's the thoughts of a pimp
I used to be quiet, did that sort anything?
So I had to run riot when I bought me a ting
Giggs is treating himself to alcohol and wearing a fur coat, which he associates with the image of a pimp. He used to be quiet before realizing that it wasn't helping him solve his problems, so he became more aggressive and took action.
Walk with my ting
Peddling morphine
Dem times dere I was licking out more green
Skip a couple years '07 the story
Now I'm Hollowman with some heavy Dior jeans (mmm)
Giggs carries a weapon with him and used to sell morphine, but now he sells cocaine instead. He talks about his struggles in the past and how far he has come, giving the specific year 2007. He ends by talking about his current success, mentioning the designer brand Dior.
Bitch niggas lookin' for glory
Wanna beef me so they can tell you a story
It'll get bloody and it'll get gory
Clapped in the neck like Amanda in Saw 3
People who are weak and desperate for attention are trying to start a fight with Giggs so they can brag to others about it. If they do this, they will face consequences as serious as the torture scene in the movie Saw 3.
Yeah I got my suttin' deh pon me
So much straps I'll have a weaponry orgy
Feds try nick me for a murder
But it could've been the man that had the weapon before me
Giggs is carrying a weapon and has so many in his possession that it could be described as a weapons 'orgy'. The police suspect that he committed a murder, but it could have been someone else who used the weapon before Giggs.
B, White and Green I been peddling all 3
Dropped P a box it was just under 4g
I told her weigh the 10s at 2 grams
And weigh the 8ths about 4g
Giggs references the colors of the Irish flag (B: orange, White, Green) to imply that he sells three types of drugs. He mentions a specific drug deal he made with a person named P, reminding them to weigh the drugs carefully.
Bad mans on the block
Spender, Young Giggs, Mantis and Rockz
TB, Tinie, Carlton and Jim Jones
Holding it down while they handle the clock (my niggas)
Giggs lists the names of his crew as they keep watch over the block and handle business. He refers to them as 'my niggas'.
Pussyholes got my mandem on lock
Straps we handle a lot
Clapped your mandem and what?
Me and you are cool but you can stand there and watch
Enemies of Giggs have been able to harm his crew, but they are still carrying their weapons and have handled many dangerous situations. Giggs offers to let someone watch his dealings, but warns them not to interfere or they could end up hurt like the others.
My PYGs will put their hands on your watch
Be easy, I'll put your mans in a box
Young Lap, TB, JJ and Shockz
I treat my little niggas like fam, not a boss (mm)
Giggs's young associates ('PYGs') will steal from you if given the chance. He reassures someone not to make trouble, since Giggs will handle it and possibly imprison their friend. He then lists the names of some of his younger crew and mentions that he sees them as family, not just employees.
All my mandem are hot
But your mandem are washed
Beat a couple shots and you ran to the cops
Big 45 they couldn't handle the shock
Giggs's crew is doing well and capable, but the enemy's crew is weak and washed up. The enemy called the police after being shot at, but the caliber of the weapon used was too intimidating for them to handle.
I talk about the handgun a lot
But that one Hollowman handles a lot
All the Black Gang fam are handled a lot
Me and Foss bagging up grams at the spot
Giggs frequently mentions his weapon, but he is very proficient with it. He and his crew, Black Gang, are all very experienced in handling dangerous situations. Meanwhile, he and 'Foss' are packaging cocaine.
Shots in my grind gear
Jumped in my vehicle
All gassed up now ima slang me a rock (mmm)
Giggs is wearing bulletproof clothing in case he gets shot while working. He gets into his car and is excited to sell a rock (a small amount of cocaine).
Hollowman handles his job
Feds on the ground, helicopters on top
Beautiful women wanna dock to my cot
A beautiful woman wouldn't stop getting cock
Giggs takes his work seriously and is efficient at it. The police are searching the area for him, and there are helicopters flying overhead. Despite this, attractive women are interested in sleeping with him because he is successful at what he does.
Contributed by Julia L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Stand up for the national anthem
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Here here
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Unnnnnnhhhhh! Stiff upper lip
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Only right they play this at Prince Philip's funeral
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