Wamp 2 Dem is a commercial mixtape by English rapper Giggs. It was released on 6 October 2017 by No BS Music, while the mixtape was distributed by Island Records.[1] It succeeds Giggs' fourth album Landlord (2016), released a year and two months prior, and is Giggs' first release with a major label. The mixtape includes guest appearances from American rappers 2 Chainz, Young Thug and Lil Duke, alongside Dave, Footsie, D Double E, Popcaan and Donae'o. Production was handled by Cool & Dre, London on da Track, Zaytoven, The Fanatix, Bricks Da Mane and Chris Childs, among others.

Wamp 2 Dem
Mixtape by
Released6 October 2017 (2017-10-06)
Recorded2016–17
Genre
Length46:32
Label
Producer
Giggs chronology
Landlord
(2016)
Wamp 2 Dem
(2017)
Big Bad...
(2019)
Singles from Wamp 2 Dem
  1. "Linguo"
    Released: 29 November 2017

The mixtape was supported by one single – "Linguo" featuring Donae'o, which became Giggs' highest-charting single.

Background

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In August 2016, Giggs released his fourth album Landlord to positive reception, entering at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart.[citation needed] In early 2017, Giggs was featured on two tracks from Canadian rapper Drake's album More Life, "No Long Talk" and "KMT". The guest appearances led to significant widespread attention for Giggs and his music. The same month, Giggs announced the Wamp 2 Dem mixtape on The SN1 Snow on Beats 1 Radio.[2]

Giggs described the mixtape as "a response to Americans who criticise UK rap", stating: "People wasn't really respecting England. Wamp 2 Dem was more showing where we're coming, [explaining that] we're the same as you."[3]

The mixtape's artwork was unveiled in June 2017, while the release date was revealed on 4 September 2017 via Instagram.[4]

Promotion

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Wamp 2 Dem was promoted by Giggs through Instagram, posting teaser trailers compiling online reactions to his verse from Drake's "KMT", song previews and meme voiceovers.[5][6] Numerous billboards and posters were set up around London the week leading up to the release.[7][8]

Singles

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The first single, "Linguo" featuring Donae'o, was released on 29 November 2017.[9] The song peaked at number 28 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Giggs' first solo single to enter the top 40 and thus his highest-charting solo single to date.

Release

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Wamp 2 Dem was released on 6 October 2017 for iTunes purchase and streaming via Spotify and Apple Music, as well as purchase through Google Play and Amazon. The mixtape was also made available for free download through Giggs' official website.[10]

Track listing

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Wamp 2 Dem[1]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Gully Niggaz"
3:12
2."Ultimate Gangsta" (featuring 2 Chainz)
Bricks Da Mane5:04
3."Straight Lifestyle"Thompson
  • Flyo
  • Jay Jay Heston
2:43
4."Times Ticking" (featuring Popcaan)The Fanatix3:54
5."The Essence"
  • Thompson
  • Lyons
  • Valenzano
Cool & Dre3:48
6."Linguo" (featuring Donae'o)Donae'o2:54
7."Gangstas & Dancers" (featuring Lil Duke and Young Thug)3:06
8."Moist Pussy"
  • Thompson
  • Driggers
  • Narcos
  • Bricks Da Mane
3:04
9."50 Cali"Zaytoven3:01
10."Outsiders" (featuring Footsie and D Double E)Footsie4:03
11."Horror Movie"
  • Thompson
  • Illya Fraser
Illa da Producer3:06
12."Peligro" (featuring Dave)
Chris Childs4:20
13."Ruler"ThompsonM164:17
Total length:46:32

Personnel

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Credits adapted from Tidal.[11]

  • Giggs – primary artist, executive producer
  • 2 Chainz – featured artist
  • Bricks Da Mane – producer (tracks 2, 8)
  • Chris Childs – producer (track 12)
  • Cool & Dre – producer, mixing (tracks 1, 5)
  • D Double E – featured artist
  • Dave – featured artist
  • Dirty Saj – recording engineer
  • Donae'o – producer, featured artist (track 6)
  • Flyo – producer (track 4)
  • Footsie – featured artist
  • Illa – producer (track 11)
  • Jay Jay Heston – producer (track 4)
  • Lil Duke – featured artist
  • London on da Track – producer (track 7)
  • M16 – producer (track 13)
  • Narcos – producer (track 8)
  • Popcaan – featured artist
  • The Fanatix – producer (track 5)
  • Young Thug – featured artist
  • Zaytoven – producer (track 9)

Charts

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Chart (2017) Peak
position
Scottish Albums (OCC)[12] 63
UK Albums (OCC)[13] 2
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[14] 1

The Essence

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The Essence
 
Directed byMyles Whittingham
Written byMichael 'Buck' Maris
Ashley Chin
April Walker
Produced byMouktar Mohamed
StarringAshley Chin
Dorcas Shola-Fapson
Rashid Kasirye
Nathaniel Thompson
Music byNathaniel Thompson
Release dates
  • 12 May 2019 (2019-05-12)
(Part 1)
  • 20 December 2019 (2019-12-20)
(Part 2)
  • 20 December 2020 (2020-12-20)
(Part 3)
Running time
98 minutes (total)
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

The Essence is a 3-part film series inspired by the soundtracks of Gigg's albums. Part one was released on 12 April 2019 on Giggs' YouTube channel.[15] It was written by Michael 'Buck' Maris, Ashley Chin and April Walker.[16] Myles Whittingham directed the film and it was produced by Mouktar Mohamed. Ashley Chin also plays a lead role in the film and also stars Dorcas Shola-Fapson, Rashid Kasirye with Giggs making a cameo in the film.[17] It would be the second time Giggs has worked with Chin, the first being Victim.[18][19] The film was sponsored by ASOS, True Religion, Nike, Inc., Adidas, Benjart, Fresh Ego Kid, Dollars and Pounds amongst others.

Part 2 was released on 20 December 2019 and was inspired by the soundtrack of the Giggs' album Big Bad.... The second part of the series touches on the topics of gun culture, suicide, and abortion, outlining serious issues that affect the community living their daily lives in the streets.[20]

Part 3 was released a year later on 20 December 2020 and is inspired by the soundtrack of the Giggs mixtape Now Or Never.[21]

Cast

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Episodes

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Episode Production Companies Released Length Views (as of September 2021)
1 Island Records, Elixir Pictures, Globe Productions 12 May 2019 28:51 3.5 million
2 Elixir Pictures, Globe Productions 20 December 2019 37:08 1.4 million
3 Island Records 20 December 2020 38.27 0.8 million

References

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  1. ^ a b "Wamp 2 Dem by Giggs on Apple Music". iTunes. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  2. ^ "Giggs Looks To Capitalize On His 'More Life' Buzz With New Single "Superheroes"". Genius. 25 March 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  3. ^ "Liam Gallagher gets to number one on his own". BBC News. 13 October 2017. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Giggs announces "Wamp 2 Dem" mixtape release date". GRM Daily. 4 September 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  5. ^ "THE GRIME REPORT on Twitter:"Giggs forthcoming album 'Wamp 2 Dem' out in October.... 👀". Twitter. 5 September 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  6. ^ "GIGGS (@officialgiggs) • Instagram photos and videos". Instagram. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  7. ^ "GIGGS (@officialgiggs) • Instagram photos and videos". Instagram. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  8. ^ "GIGGS (@officialgiggs) • Instagram photos and videos". Instagram. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  9. ^ "Linguo (feat. Donae'o) - Single by Giggs on Apple Music". iTunes. 29 November 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  10. ^ "SN1GIGGS.COM". 6 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  11. ^ "Wamp 2 Dem / Giggs on TIDAL". Tidal. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  12. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  13. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 October 2017.
  14. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  15. ^ "WATCH – THE ESSENCE SHORT FILM – Entertainment, TV & Film". levile.co.uk. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019.
  16. ^ "Giggs Has Released A 30-Minute Short Film Soundtracked By 'Wamp 2 Dem' Highlights". Complex.
  17. ^ "The Essence - (Short Film)" – via www.youtube.com.
  18. ^ "Giggs releases short film 'The Essence' inspired by his mixtape 'Wamp 2 Dem' | RWD". rwdmag.com.
  19. ^ "Exclusive Interview: Poundz – "even I'm gassed about it and I made the song" | RWD". rwdmag.com.
  20. ^ "The Essence Part 2 (Short Film)" – via www.youtube.com.
  21. ^ "The Essence Part 3 (Short Film)". Mogul Magazine. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 23 September 2022.