Back in the Golden era of SA Hip Hop, circa 2016, the debate about the best female rapper in South Africa was between the then Mabala Noise signed Gigi LaMayne and the then Ambitiouz Entertainment signed Fifi Cooper. This was the female version of the Nasty C versus A-Reece debate, two artists also from both stables respectively. Gigi has gone to carve an unconventional but successful career path from her keen over the years, in between breaks and hiatuses to try different things like fashion and now acting.
Like the famous saying goes if you want to be great, stand on the shoulders of giants, great artists are inspired other great artists that came before them, Gigi LaMayne in an interview with DJ sharp disclosed Mzansi hip hop legend inspires her the most.
The ‘Koze Kube Nini‘ rapper gave Katlehong-born emcee Kwesta, his flowers and states that his journey and come up story inspired her to keep pushing in her career even when the going got tough.
“Like I just want to say, I’ve always been like inspired by Kwesta’s journey,” she said. “He tried many times and then Ngud’ happened then for me like my Ngud’ moment didn’t come, everyone says like, Ice Cream was a debut, it wasn’t the Ngud’ moment,” said Gigi Lamayne.
Kwesta was signed to Buttabing records owned by Slikour and Nota Baloyi in the early 2000s, he had a slow rise to superstardom with a slew of hits here and there and minor success from his debut album ‘Special Rekwest.’
It wasn’t until 2017’s ‘DaKAR II’ that he was able to fully bloom into the artist we all knew he had the potential to become and the world finally caught on. Third time’s the charm they say.
After boldly declaring himself ”Da King of African Rap” on the album title, he went on to show just why he deserved the crown.
The album spawned hit singles like ‘,Nomayini,’ ‘Day One,’ ‘Mayibabo,’ the posse cut ‘Mmino,’ the ladies’ favorite Thabsie collaboration ‘Ngiyazfela Ngawe’ and the very monumental ‘Ngud’ featuring Cassper Nyovest. The latter which led to that very controversial Metro FM Awards moment, about a certain label buying awards.
The album was certified 7× Platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA), having sold 210 000 copies in South Africa, DaKAR II became best selling hip hop albums of all-time.
This lead to Kwesta topping the MTV Base Hottest Emcees list for two consecutive years, in 2017 and 2018. The only other emcee to have achieved that feat was Cassper Nyovest in 2015 and 2016 respectively.
DaKAR II went on to become South Africa’s biggest selling album of the 21st century, certified 13x platinum for sales of 390,000 copies. It is also the best-selling hip-hop album in South Africa of all time.
Kwesta’s trophy cabinet also houses 6 South African Music Awards, 4 South African Hip Hop Awards, 1 MTV Africa Music Awards, and 1 Metro FM Award.
Miss LaMayne also disclosed to DJ Sharp how she’s feeling in light of the progress she has made so far in her rap career. “It’s nice over here, it’s really nice over here,” Gigi said.
“I just wish I could shake my booty a little more and just speak a little more and laugh a little more. Because I’m okay with the fact that I had to lose a lot to be able to gain the little of what I have.”
The Disney Plus SA animation series titled ‘Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire,’ just announced a star studded cast of local talents and Gigi LaMayne is one of those that will join the cast fort the one of a kind project.
Concerning new music, weeks ago both Gigi and Lady Du sparked rumours if a collaboration via a series of Instagram posts early this month.
Lady Du posted an image of herself with the caption, “Working on something amazing with the queen @gigi_lamayne.”
Gigi LaMayne has also been doing media rounds for the upcoming collaboration which will be released on the 23rd of June 2023.
“There is definitely new music on the way” she said. “Gigi LaMayne, Lady Du, Robotboii and Ntosh on a very powerful song where Amapiano meets Hip-Hop.”
In an era where Hip Hop artists are prone to dissing their piano counterparts, it would be amazing to see both worlds come together for a change.
Are we ready for what Gigi is cooking?
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