Landlord | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 5 August 2016 | |||
Recorded | 2016 | |||
Studio | ||||
Genre | ||||
Length | 54:40 | |||
Label | SN1 Records | |||
Producer |
| |||
Giggs chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Landlord | ||||
|
Landlord is the fourth studio album by English rapper Giggs. It was released on 5 August 2016 independently through SN1 Records. [1] It succeeds Giggs's third album When Will It Stop (2013) and after parting with XL Recordings. The album features guest appearances from Stormzy, Donae'o, Youngs Teflon, CASisDEAD, among others. Production derives from frequent collaborator Boom Productions, Swifta Beater, Charlie Sloth, Danny Boom, Scott Styles, Smasher and Wizzy Wow.
The album was supported by two singles: "Whippin' Excursion" and "Lock Doh" featuring Donae'o.
Landlord received positive reviews from critics and peaked at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart, becoming Giggs's highest-charting and most successful album to date.
Giggs's third album, When Will It Stop was released in October 2013 and peaked at number 21 on the UK Albums Chart, becoming his highest-charting album at the time. The following two years saw Giggs releasing no solo material but making numerous guest appearances on high-profile songs, such as "Man Don't Care" with Jme and "3 Wheel Ups" with Kano.
In June 2016, Giggs announced the release date of the album through a teaser video posted on social media. [2] The track list was unveiled the following month. [3] [4] According to an interview with Tim Westwood, Landlord was recorded in a broken period of two weeks, with the intention of releasing it to match the release date of his debut album, Walk in da Park (2008). [5] It was completed without the intention of releasing an album, Westwood stating: "I went to the studio and did three songs at the same time, starting one, stopping and going to another, doing all three of them at once. Then when they was finished I was like “Rah, this is sounding like some album shit.” And then I went to studio the next day and made ‘Whippin Excursion.’ That week I made like six bangers." [5] [6]
On 21 July 2016 the lead single, "Whippin' Excursion", was released along with its music video and pre-order for Landlord. [7] [8] [9] The single peaked at number 152 on the UK Singles Chart,
After popular demand, "Lock Doh" was released as the second single from Landlord. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] It peaked at number 52 on the UK Singles Chart, number 5 on the UK Independent Chart and number 12 on the UK R&B Chart, becoming Giggs' highest-charting single. [15] In April 2017, the single was certified Gold by BPI Music with 400,000 sales.
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 80/100 [16] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
ClashMusic | [17] |
Crack Magazine | [18] |
Complex | Very favourable [19] |
NME | [20] |
SpiceUK | 4.7/5 [21] |
The Guardian | [22] |
The Independent | Very positive [23] |
Landlord received positive reviews from critics. It received a normalized metascore of 80 out of 100 on the review aggregate website Metacritic based on 4 critics, which indicates "generally favourable." [16] Damien Morris of The Guardian described Landlord as "frighteningly good" and "fantastic, crafted, big-stage trap with the lissom, conversational feel of a mixtape. The clever use of features offsets that lugubrious voice with a pleasing range of articulate rappers; and the beats intelligently mix intimacy and claustrophobia, making Giggs’s grownup rhymes more authoritative than ever." [22] Louis Pattison of NME commended the lyrical content, stating "Giggs’ delivery blends menace and sly comedy, while particularly choice lines are punctuated with a grunt, or a laugh so sinister it'd make the Grim Reaper soil his cloak." [20]
Eto Worchie of The Independent gave a highly favourable review to Landlord, complimenting the authenticity of Giggs and solidifying his longevity: "Giggs gives us some vulnerability and greez here, reaffirming himself as The Boss in this album. Even eight years later he reminds us he’s still the same person and is still 100% authentic and 100% paying no attention to the industry" [23] In a very favourable review, Jesse Bernard of Complex described Landlord as a "trap masterpiece" and "certainly a more cohesive effort than its predecessors [ Let Em Ave It and When Will It Stop]". [19]
Landlord entered and peaked on the UK Albums Chart at number 2, behind Blossoms by 9,500 copies. [24] It became Giggs's highest-charting album, surpassing the peak of When Will It Stop (2013) which peaked at number 21. However, Landlord charted at number 1 on the UK Independent Chart and UK R&B Chart. The album also peaked at number 39 on the Scottish Albums Chart.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Intro" | Nathaniel Thompson | Jaisu | 3:35 |
2. | "The Blow Back" (featuring Stormzy & Dubz) |
| Scott Styles | 6:02 |
3. | "Whippin Excursion" | Thompson |
| 2:31 |
4. | "Just Swervin" | Thompson |
| 4:44 |
5. | "The Process" | Thompson |
| 2:54 |
6. | "Lock Doh" (featuring Donae'o) |
| Donae'o | 3:09 |
7. | "The Best" (featuring Aystar & Youngs Teflon) |
| Smasher | 5:03 |
8. | "Slippin" | Thompson | Boom Productions | 2:22 |
9. | "501 (Hollow & Heston)" (featuring CASisDEAD) |
| Swifta Beater | 3:42 |
10. | "Of Course" (featuring Rico Love) |
| Charlie Sloth | 4:55 |
11. | "Savage" (featuring Kyze) |
| Hayzeus | 4:09 |
12. | "Lyrical Combat" (featuring CASisDEAD & Dubz) |
| Boom Productions | 5:01 |
13. | "Clipped Him" (featuring Gunna Dee) |
| Mazza Beats | 3:48 |
14. | "The New Shit" |
| Danny Boom | 2:45 |
Total length: | 54:40 |
Notes
Credits adapted from album liner notes.
Chart (2016) | Peak position |
---|---|
Scottish Albums (OCC) [25] | 39 |
UK Independent Albums (OCC) [26] | 1 |
UK R&B Albums (OCC) [27] | 1 |
UK Albums (OCC) [28] | 2 |
Andre Williams, better known as Shy FX, is a British DJ and producer from London. He specialises in drum and bass and jungle music.
Maxwell Owusu Ansah, known by his stage name Lethal Bizzle, is a British rapper from Walthamstow, London, of Ghanaian origin. He emerged in 2002 as a grime MC as part of More Fire Crew, with their grime single "Oi!" charting in the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart. His debut solo single "Pow! (Forward)" attracted attention for its aggressive content, charting at number 11 despite being banned from airplay and clubs. Although known notably for his single releases, Lethal Bizzle released his debut studio album, Against All Oddz, in 2005, followed by Back to Bizznizz in 2007.
Kareem Dennis, better known by his stage name Lowkey, is a British rapper and activist from London. He first became known through a series of mixtapes he released before he was 18, before taking a hiatus from the music business. He would return in 2008, with appearances on BBC Radio and at various festivals and concerts including the BBC Electric Proms, Glastonbury, T In The Park and Oxegen in the buildup to his first solo album Dear Listener, as well as collaborating with other British musicians to form the supergroup Mongrel. He released his second solo album, Soundtrack to the Struggle, independently on in 2011.
Samuel Justin Jude Clarke, better known by his stage name Ghetts, is a British grime MC, rapper and songwriter. His music has been played on national radio stations such as BBC Radio 1, Kiss 100, BBC Asian Network, and BBC Radio 1Xtra. Currently, Ghetts is signed to independent record label Disrupt, and released his debut studio album, Rebel with a Cause, on 9 March 2014. Known for his hard hitting lyrics and intricate rhyme schemes, he is associated and has toured internationally with such acts as Kano and was a member of NASTY Crew.
Nathaniel Thompson, better known professionally as Giggs, is a British rapper and songwriter from Peckham, London. He released his debut studio album Walk in da Park in 2008 and released a follow-up album Let Em Ave It the following year.
Walk in da Park is the debut album by English rapper Giggs. It was released on 4 August 2008 independently through SN1 Records. It is Giggs' first commercial release after putting out a collection of mixtapes from 2005 onwards. The album includes guest appearances from SN1 members Joe Grind, Gunna, Kyze and Gunna D, among others. Production was handled by frequent in-house producers Boom Productions, Bayoz Muzik and others. Walk in da Park incorporates British hip hop with road rap and gangsta rap alongside aggressive flows and production.
Jahmaal Noel Fyffe, better known by his stage name Chip, is a British rapper and songwriter from Tottenham, North London. In the past 14 years he has collaborated with the likes of Skepta, T.I., Meek Mill, Young Adz and many others. In 2009, he released his debut album, I Am Chipmunk, featuring four songs which peaked in the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart, including the chart-topping "Oopsy Daisy". In 2011, Chipmunk released his follow-up album, the American hip hop-influenced Transition. It included the single "Champion" featuring Chris Brown, which peaked at #2 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Don't Go There" is the second single from English rapper Giggs, released from his second studio album Let Em Ave It and features vocals from American hip hop recording artist B.o.B. The single was released in the United Kingdom on February 20, 2010 as a digital download and is the first to be released following Giggs' signing with the record label: XL Recordings.
Cher Lloyd is an English singer. She finished fourth place on the seventh series of the television talent show The X Factor in 2010. Following the show, Lloyd was signed to Syco Music in the United Kingdom and Epic Records in the United States. She released her debut studio album, Sticks and Stones, in 2011, which had two releases: its standard edition and a US version. The album peaked at number four on the UK Albums Chart, while the latter version debuted at number nine in the US Billboard 200. It included the successful singles "Swagger Jagger", which entered at number one on the UK Singles Chart, "With Ur Love", and "Want U Back".
Third Strike is the third solo studio album by recording artist Tinchy Stryder, and his second studio album with Universal Island Records. It was released on 15 November 2010. Prior to the release of Third Strike, Stryder featured on the grime collective Roll Deep's first compilation album, Street Anthems, which was released on 19 October 2009. Third Strike was preceded by a free downloadable extended play (EP), III EP.
Ian Greenidge, better known by his stage name Donae'o, is a British singer, songwriter and rapper from North-West London. He has worked with numerous British musicians throughout his career including The Streets, Giggs, Lethal Bizzle, Dizzee Rascal, Jme, and Calvin Harris.
The discography of British rapper Wretch 32 consists of four studio albums, six mixtapes, fourteen singles and nineteen music videos.
Young Kingz is the third mixtape by the British hip hop duo Krept and Konan. The mixtape was released on 2 September 2013 on Play Dirty. It entered the UK Albums Chart at number 19 and the UK R&B Chart at number three.
Guy James Robin, known professionally as Jonas Blue, is an English DJ and music producer based in London. He is widely known for recruiting young artists for his dance productions, which blends pop.
Kiara Saulters, known professionally as Kiiara, is an American singer and songwriter from Wilmington, Illinois. She is currently signed to Atlantic Records. Her 2015 single "Gold" peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She is also known for contributing vocals to Linkin Park's 2017 single "Heavy".
Blossoms is the debut studio album by English rock band Blossoms. It was released in the United Kingdom on 5 August 2016, by Virgin EMI Records. The album was produced by James Skelly and Rich Turvey. It peaked at number 1 on the UK Albums Chart and number 12 on the Irish Albums Chart, reaching Silver certification in the UK in April 2017. Then in June 2017 it went Gold in the UK after surpassing 100,000 sales.
Courtney Angelines Leon Freckleton , known professionally as Nines, is a British rapper, director and actor. After releasing a string of mixtapes between 2012 and 2015, Nines signed to XL Recordings and released his debut album One Foot Out (2017), which charted at number 4 in the UK Albums Chart. In 2018, his second album Crop Circle charted at number 5, and he topped the chart with his third album Crabs in a Bucket in 2020. In 2023 he released Crop Circle 2. He has also produced a series of short films based on his albums in which he has directed and starred in. Nines is a fan of Premier League Football club Arsenal.
League of My Own II is the third studio album by British rapper Chip. It was released on 11 August 2017 by Cash Motto Limited. The album is the sequel to Chip's breakthrough mixtape League of My Own (2007) and marks its 10-year anniversary. It is Chip's first album in six years since Transition (2011) and parting ways with Sony Music. League of My Own II includes guest appearances from Giggs, Ghetts, Jme, Wiley, Donae'o, D Double E and Loick Essien, among others, as well as production from Dready, Swifta Beater and The Fanatix.
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. 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.
British rapper Giggs has released four studio albums, eighteen mixtapes, nine solo singles and twenty-seven music videos. A majority of his releases have been independently released through SN1 Records, alongside several releases through XL Recordings and Takeover Entertainment.