In a recent conversation on Chinasa Anukam's YouTube channel, British rapper Giggs offered a candid look into his life, career, and personal growth, reflecting on a journey marked by resilience, artistic integrity, and unexpected moments of international acclaim. The interview revealed a multifaceted individual behind the "grunting" persona, touching on everything from his humble beginnings to his "legendary" status in the UK rap scene. Giggs, whose real name is Nathaniel Thompson, recalled making his first song at around 13 years old for a secondary school competition with friends Marcus and Clinton, with his mother even helping to write the lyrics.
Before his rap career took off, he was known as a DJ, often playing out of his window for his estate, sometimes drawing crowds of 20 to 30 people. While he no longer DJs due to the time commitment involved in collecting records and his "autistic" tendency to "overdo everything," this early experience honed his musical sensibilities. Fond childhood memories of Gloucester Grove Estate, where he grew up, revolve around a strong sense of community, with all the kids playing outside and the entire estate looking out for one another.
His signature ad-libs, a hallmark of his style, were influenced by artists like Young Jeezy and Lloyd Banks, who used ad-libs to make "sick bars" stand out. Giggs adopted this technique, recognizing that even if a lyric wasn't explicitly "sick," the ad-lib could make it "sound sick with the music". He maintains a steadfast commitment to his artistic vision, stating that he only does what he wants to do and doesn't "jump on trends," a principle forged during his early career when he was often seen as an "outcast" and "banned from everything," forcing him to "do things differently anyway".
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A pivotal moment in his career was the release of "Talking the Hardest," a song he considers "something special" and a "timeless legendary classic". Its influence is evident in items like the Cortez "national anthem hoodie" featuring its lyrics. Despite its impact, Giggs didn't get the "organic first time randomly hearing me on the radio" experience that many artists dream of, often having to ask DJs like Master Steps at Choice FM to play his tunes. His collaborative work with Dave, such as on "Pellegro," is consistently praised, with Giggs recounting making the song on his birthday in Barcelona and later knowing Dave would "body it" with his verse.
Giggs' journey has been marked by significant milestones, including winning a BET award early in his career, which he described as a "weird time" due to a friend's death on the same day and local attempts to "strip the nomination". He views the award as a humbling experience, reminding him that despite the accolades, he still lives in the "real world". His album Landlord peaked at number two on the UK album charts, a significant achievement at a time when UK rap albums were not often charting. More recently, he embarked on his first US tour and received a remarkable mention from Jay-Z, who referenced "Hoving Giggs" in an a cappella verse, a "mad moment" Giggs heard while at Disney World with his kids. He cherishes his role as a father, consciously striving to be a better dad than his own, and adapting his approach as his children, now aged 23, nine, and five, grow.
He finds "freedom" to be his favorite aspect of being Giggs, allowing him to "move how I want to move," work hard, chill, and enjoy family and fun time. However, the "gift and a curse" of fame means constantly being asked for pictures, which can be "fucking annoying" when he's with his kids and managing groceries. He admits to being "super stressed" in such moments, sometimes wanting to tell people to "fuck off" but trying to remain professional. Giggs acknowledges a personal drive for self-improvement, using past relationships as mirrors to identify and fix his flaws, seeing himself as "big on growth". He has been fasting for Lent for "maybe six, seven years," which interviewer Chinasa found surprising. When asked about what surprises him most on his journey, Giggs stated that he has "always felt like I'm special," like a "superhero," and rarely gets surprised, believing "this feels right". He attributes his patience, a trait he learned from jail, to waiting for "legendary moments".
His relationship with the late Jamal Edwards, who documented his early journey, was foundational. Giggs recalls Edwards filming him "on the sly" at the beginning, before Giggs encouraged him to film openly, leading to one of his "first legendary freestyles" and watching Edwards build SBTV into a "big business". Giggs' journey reflects a profound sense of self-belief and an unwavering commitment to his art and personal evolution, making him a true pioneer in the industry.
