Giggs: Let Em Ave It

The commercial takeover by British rappers has been a double-edged sword: good to see the public embracing artists from the grime scene, less so to hear those artists water their sounds down to unthreatening nothings (Tinchy Stryder, Chipmunk) or themselves into gimmicky novelties (Dizzee Rascal). Peckham's Giggs does neither, and has attained a street success commensurate with his cleaving to gangsta rap styles. "Give a fuck about Trident," he sneers, backed by moody, metallic synths and gunfire beats. It's reminiscent of early 50 Cent, both in its production and in that Giggs' vocal limitations are strengths and flaws: he raps at one pace only, a slow drawl that can either intensify or just ossify things. Let Em Ave It is overlong, and not enough of its cuts possess the necessary drama, but as an antidote to the tyranny of likability, his rawness is refreshing.