
Doing It Fresh Off Campus – Gigi Lamayne
MiCareer
1. When did you start rapping?
GIGI LAMAYNE: I started as a poet at the age of 10, then my mother suggested
that I start rapping since she was a Fugees fan.
2. What or who influenced taste in music?
GIGI LAMAYNE: Most old school female rappers such as Queen Latifah, Lauryn
Hill, Da Brat, Lil Kim and Missy Elliot.
3. How has your sound evolved from El Principio to colour of
reign to Circus café?
GIGI LAMAYNE: The Hip Hop sound evolves all the time, so I have to keep up
with the times and stay current. My sound has matured with age.
4. What are your future plans for 2015?
GIGI LAMAYNE: This year I’m just gonna keep dropping singles, collaborate
with other artists and just grow the Gigi LaMayne brand.
5. Are you currently working on an album? Album name drop?
GIGI LAMAYNE: Not necessarily, but I’m always in the studio recording songs.
The plans for an album are aimed at 2016.
6. Congrats on signing to dream team SA; do you consider this
your big break?
GIGI LAMAYNE: Thank you. This is a dream come true for me. This is what I’ve
been working hard for, for the past 4 years.
7. What do the awards you won mean to you? Best female at the
SA hip hop awards two years running, that’s very impressive.
GIGI LAMAYNE: The best part about winning those awards is that I won those
awards on my own, I was unsigned and doing everything for myself.
8. Where do you see yourself in 5years time?
GIGI LAMAYNE: In 5 years I see myself being an award winner against the
boys, being a young and successful businesswoman.
MiBeginnings
1. Where did you grow up?
GIGI LAMAYNE: I grew up in Soweto
but later moved to Joburg
South.
2. What kind of a kid you are growing
up?
GIGI LAMAYNE: I was very much
of a tomboy, I always played and
competed with the boys.
3. Were one of 5 students in high school
to be chosen for the Branson scholarship,
you currently a student at one of
the most prestigious Universities in Africa
(Wits), why a career in rapping?
GIGI LAMAYNE: Rap is the best
form of expression. Hip Hop is
the urban pop culture that most
young people can relate to.
4. Do you remember your first stage
name or has it always been Gigi Lamayne
GIGI LAMAYNE: My stage name has
always been Gigi LaMayne, and
it’s taken from my real names
and surname.
5. What kind of music did you grow up
listening?
GIGI LAMAYNE: Everything that
was played in the house, like
Hip Hop, Reggae, Ballad, Soul
and Kwaito.
6. Most female rappers are believed to
have been tom-boy; do you fall under
the stereotype?
GIGI LAMAYNE: I was a tomboy
when I was younger, but I have
transformed to a lady-like.
MiRelation -
ships:
• Sweetest thing a guy has
ever done for you?
GIGI LAMAYNE: Just being
there for me when
I had self-esteem issues.
• Ideal romantic date?
GIGI LAMAYNE: A getaway
for two in a game
resort.
• Relationship status?
Single, but not looking.
MiQuickFacts:
• Dream collabo?
GIGI LAMAYNE: HHP and De Banj
• Which degree at Degree at Wits?
GIGI LAMAYNE: BA (Media Studies and
Anthropology)
• Embarrassing stage moments?
GIGI LAMAYNE: When some guy fiddled
with the sound while I was on stage
and people thought it was my fault.