‘Own Motion’ is a remix of an original track written and produced by ML. The release of the remix follows recent revelations from Giggs who shared that his son’s openness about his autism diagnosis led the UK hip-hop star led him to seek one for himself. Over a bouncy, soulful beat, the track features candid lyrics like ‘I used to be ashamed, I used to hide it, but now I own it’ – a declaration of the growth and ownership of the journey both artists have undergone.

Giggs has recently taken to the media to open up about the struggles with ASD that him and his children have faced. In an interview with BBC Newsnight aired on July 8, the UK rapper spoke about the challenges of accessing support for his son and daughter, including difficulties securing EHCPs (Education, Health and Care Plans).

The interview came amid UK government proposals to reduce the number of children qualifying for EHCP support—plans Giggs criticised. Giggs has suggested that ‘it would be actually smart for the government to throw all their money to autistic people and let us be the super genius or super heroes that we are.’ More on the UK’s proposed plans to cut this extra support for children with special needs can be read here.

Prior to the tracks release, Giggs has been increasingly vocal about his own neurodivergent experiences, opening up about how undiagnosed autism shaped his school years and early adulthood. In an exclusive interview with 90s Baby Show, the British rapper said: ‘I always used to answer back all the time and get kicked out of class every single day – until I just thought, well, I’m bad. You can take that through life. I ended up in prison twice. Obviously, I’m grateful enough to have a career now, and that saved my life. But I don’t want that to happen to [my kids]’.

Giggs’ openness is part of a broader movement of artists using their platforms to advocate for neurodiversity and highlight the gaps in support for autistic individuals. ‘Own Motion’ offers a personal, moving look into that lived experience.

The release of Own Motion has sparked speculation among fans about an upcoming album. Earlier this year, Giggs dropped another new single, ‘Gorgeous’, produced by former Paramore bassist Jeremy Davis. MXDWN’s coverage of the release of this new single can be read here.

Wakeford shot to fame after appearing multiple times on the Channel 4 TV show The Undateables, in which people who live with challenging conditions attempt to find love and the show follows their progress. Wakeford is autistic, and after his music appeared on the show fans responded in a hugely positive way. In his fourth appearance on the show, he was filmed on tour performing his songs, and the tracks resonated with audiences.

Wakeford began making music in 2009 when musician and producer Tom Cook introduced him to Carousel, an organisation that runs music projects for disabled people, who were able to support Daniel to write his own music. Over the past decade, Wakeford has written over 60 songs with the help of Tom Cook and Carousel. He was a finalist in the European Song Competition in 2014 with his song ‘The Black of Lonely’ which he performed with a 21 piece orchestra.

His last tour, which took place in 2018, consisted of 19 UK dates all of which sold out, and he also made appearances on Good Morning Britain to promote his second album ‘That’s How I See It’.

As well as making great music, Wakeford is a fantastic positive role model for any people with learning disabilities looking to make it in music.

If you would like to buy tickets for The Daniel Wakefield Experience’s upcoming show, you can visit Resident music or the ticket web, and you can find out more about Wakeford and his upcoming music and shows by visiting danielwakeford.com.

.@Sia announces 14-track ‘Music’ album, drops heart-swelling trailer https://t.co/Riqn7zyQ09

— billboard (@billboard) November 19, 2020

Hannah Marshall, who is an autistic woman from North Carolina,  launched the online petition last Friday following the films premier. She said to NME, “As an autistic individual, I am asking that this film is cancelled. It is extremely offensive to myself and other autistic individuals. Sia has shown no remorse for her inaccurate and hurtful betrayal of the community. This film will not have a major impact on history. Cancelling it will express that intolerance to neurodivergence is unacceptable in today’s society. Sia and her associates have additional avenues for funds; they will survive even if no money is made from this film.”

Other supporters shared their views on the petition, which received over 500 signings as of Tuesday afternoon. One of the supporters signing the petition on change.org said, “Beyond disappointed that Sia felt empowered to perpetuate outdated and false ideas of how people with autism behave/see the world. I wish she would have used her platform to amplify the voices of people with autism instead of making an entire movie based on her “own unique view of the community.”

A number of people In response to the criticism on social media, NME reported Sia to have said that the actress she worked worked with on the film was a “beautiful young girl non-verbal on the spectrum” and said she  “found [the project] unpleasant and stressful.”  She added that, “The movie is both a love letter to caregivers and to the autism community. I have my own unique view of the community, and felt it is underrepresented and compelled to make it. If that makes me a shit I’m a shit, but my intentions are awesome.”