Genesis Gabriella Tina Manney professionally known as Gigi Lamayne is one of Mzansi’s most favourite female rappers in the industry. Born and bred in the south suburb of Soweto, the female artist has always pushed herself to success particularly to the person that she dreams of becoming.
In a brief discussion with Mgosi, we asked how Gigi’s stage came about and quite interestingly, it derives from her names. See how:
Taken from the first letter of both her names starting with a ‘G’ for Genesis and the other from Gabriella. The sound that comes out from uttering those letters together gives you ‘Gigi’. As for Lamayne, you’ll have to uncover that for yourselves!
Accidentally bumping into music as she puts it. Gigi’s talent had been cultivated by entering competitions and climbing up the ladder, to where she is now. What is interesting about that, is her shift from producing hip-hop music to Amapiano. A revolution that everyone wants to be a part of.
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The “Ice Cream” hitmaker has always seen herself as a versatile artist. This is a result of the love she has of playing with many colours and canvases. Of which her versatility comes from, the ability to express herself differently than to be boxed.
“It came about because I like new challenges. I feel like Amapiano is something we can completely own as Africans, and why wouldn’t I be part of the revolution in knowing that I contribute somewhere, somehow,” she told Mgosi.
Though her call will always be Hip-hop, Lamayne finds it equally important to express her creativity and growth in the industry. By trying new things and that includes music genres.
However, it quite surprising at how the musician sees a lot of similarities in Amapiano to Kwaito and Hip-hop. “Obviously at a faster genre that allows people to dance,” said Gigi.
Working with some of the big names in the industry by the likes of Ntosh, Lady Du to name a few. These are some of the names that carry the flagship for Amapiano which she gets to work with on some of her projects.
“You need not be afraid to stand on your own. Individualism is sometimes all you have, and that’s the only way youll stick out, like a sore thumb. The idea is never to blend in with the crowd, it’s to stand out from it,” said Lamayne.
“People can expect a cute offering to Amapiano in early 2023. Something that we don’t expect from Gigi Lamayne, a different side of me that a lot of people haven’t heard. I am excited”.
If there’s anything that Lamayne could change in the industry, it must be the cliques and gatekeeping. In our conversation, she mentioned that the gatekeeping is not allowing the industry to have fresh and new talent.
With the wave and come up of Amapiano, this where Mzansi gets to see new faces and opening doors for more people to enter the space.