MOBO award winning rapper Giggs talks us through his guide to London, from working at McDonald’s in Peckham to dining at Stork in Mayfair.
Home is…
That’s a secret. Let’s say it’s just outside London.
Where was your first flat?
Bermondsey, Lower Road. Just near Surrey Quays.
What was your first job?
Technically, my first proper job was working with my dad. He used to do deliveries and removals — furniture and helping people move house. So that was actually my first job, but my first job-job was at McDonald’s in Peckham.
I like to go all out on a date... maybe a private room in Stork or Cecconi’s
Where would you recommend for a first date?
I like to go all out on a date, so maybe Cecconi’s or Stork in Mayfair, in a private room. Or, an Everyman cinema. That’s a great date spot. There’s a bar and you can order food, it’s a chilled night. There are sofas in there and all that. You can just relax.
Where would you buy a present for a partner?
I’d probably go anywhere on Bond Street. All the tough guys, they go to Selfridges and Harrods, but Bond Street is a more mature kind of thing.
Which shops do you rely on?
I guess Tesco and the petrol station. And Next, for stuff for me and the kids. I do like Dolce and Gabbana, and Selfridges. When people come over they always want to go to Selfridges, so I end up there.
What’s the best meal you’ve had?
I do love Italian but I’m Caribbean, so that’s what it’s got to be. One of my favourites is in Peckham, a spot called Daphanie’s. They’ve got some fire barbecue chicken. I will always travel back down to Peckham to go and get it if I’m ever nearby.
What would you do if you were Mayor for the day?
I’d probably make it a day off for everyone. And I’d give everyone “day off” money too, probably a couple of hundred pounds for a nice day off. Actually, that’s too much — a hundred pounds. I’d put on a little carnival as well.
Who is the most iconic Londoner in history?
That’s a tough one. It’s London! You’ve got Chris Eubank, or Adele who’s iconic for music. One of the princes, I like them. Let me say Prince Harry.
Where do you go and what do you do to have fun?
I don’t really go anywhere to be honest. I like to stay out of the way. If I’m in London, I just have my own party. My own private party. Somewhere extravagant and over the top.
What’s the best thing a cabbie has ever said to you?
Get out.
Have you ever had a run-in with a police officer?
Who, me? Too many.
What’s your biggest extravagance?
Travelling. Going on a big trip somewhere. I like to go anywhere and see somewhere new. I want to go to Singapore next.
What do you collect?
I used to collect records back in the day. I was a DJ so I used to have hundreds of thousands of records and then I stopped DJing and started rapping. When I moved out of my mum’s, all the records disappeared. Obviously you know how it goes, you move out and she probably threw them all in the bin. That’s probably the last thing I’ve ever collected.
What’s your favourite work of art or building?
I like Canary Wharf. It’s not that I go there very much, but I like the look of it. It looks like London.
What was the last thing you Googled?
Probably some Spanish words. My girl’s Spanish so I’m trying to figure out what she’s saying, especially if she’s shouting at me.
What’s your favourite beauty spot?
My barber comes to my house, but if I did go to the barber’s, it would probably be a barber shop in Peckham. I don’t even know the name of it but I know the guy is called Sean, so everyone just says Sean’s. It’s probably actually called something, but no one knows.
What’s your dress code for the capital?
Dress code? There is no code. The London dress code is however I’m feeling.
Giggs has a special live event at Somerset House on Sunday, July 20
