10 Things You Didn’t Know About Gigi Lamayne

20-year-old Gigi Lamayne has taken the country by storm with her charismatic stage presence, and remarkably mature lyrical abilities. Born Genesis Gabriella Tina Manney, Gigi is a young up and coming female rapper, singer, poet and songwriter from Johannesburg. Gigi is a four-time South African Hip-hop Award winning female, a rising queen of African Hip-hop is already making her mark as a talent to be reckoned with within the South African music industry

We’ve listed 10 things you probably didn’t know about Gigi Lamayne, check them out below…….

1. Gigi LaMayne won the Jack Daniels Music Scouts competition, an event that she agrees catapulted her career.

2. Gigi is a University of Witwatersrand (WITS) Dean’s list student. She is pursuing a degree in media studies. She is currently in her final year.

3. She was nominated for Best Collabo for the Ice Cream remix which features Khuli Chana at SA Hip-hop Awards this year.

4. International acts Gigi would like to perform with are Nicki Minaj, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem.

5. Gigi Lamayne is now signed to Dream Team SA. She joins the likes of Khuli Chana, Thembi Seete, Ms Cosmo, Muzart, Major League DJz, DJ Zan-D, Magesh, Tumisho Masha, Nkhensani Nkosi, Tshepiso Ramotsehoa and Azania.

6. Gigi  is a four time South African Hip Hop Awards winner, winning Best Female for two consecutive years, last year and in 2013, as well as winning Best Mixtape and Best Newcomer I 2013.

7. Her poetic skills were developed at the tender age of 11, having her first poem titled “Valentine’s Day” published at the Poetry Institute Of Africa under the Anthology-Fairytale moon. She narrowed her path into rap at the age of 16.

8. Gigi drew her inspiration from Jean Grae, Bob Marley, Brenda Fassie and Tupac Shakur.

9. Her talent was realised during an exchange programme in the UK under the Branson Scholarship programme at Stowe School Buckingham during her performance, taking up runner-up and secondly at The DCS showdown East District in 2011 scooping Best in Rap Category.

10. In 5 years time, Gigi would like to see herself being one of the most recognized acts in Africa.