If you are a lover of hip hop, which you must be since you are on this blog, it is imperative that you know Shukid.
Oh, you don’t? Allow me to help!
Author: Cydney Stephens
Cydney Stephens is studying Broadcast Journalism at Howard University. Stephens has been a practicing Journalist for two years. New to the field, Stephens is developing her niche in the journalism world.
Cydney was born in Tacoma, Washington amidst great cultural and ethnic diversity. For this reason, she finds interest in issues pertaining to Equality and Social Justice.
When she is not developing her journalistic eye, Cydney enjoys discovering new restaurants. Located in Washington, D.C, Cydney has visited many restaurants. Her current favorite is Ben's Nextdoor.
Do Not Sleep on Gigi LaMayne
She might be young, but do not be mistaken, this girl is vicious!
The twenty-one year old Genesis Gabriella Tina Manney, or Gigi LaMayne for short, is representing for the hoods in Southern Africa. With many feats under her belt such as winning Best Female two years in a row at the South African Hip Hop Awards, the future is bright for Ms LaMayne.
Growing up in the 1990’s Hip Hop, Rap, and Rhythm and Blues were notes of her childhood. At the age of 13, Gigi had began writing poetry. Gigi’s Ndebele mother played the Fugees and Salt N Peppa while her Capetonian father relaxed to Bob Marley. Her mother’s love of Salt N Peppa caused her to ask Gigi to “do that thing like Salt N Peppa,” which began her musical career. Growing up, Gigi cited that her favorite artist were Tupac, Da Brat, and the Notorious B.I.G. Due to the heavy American music influence, LaMayne considers herself a child of the diaspora. Although she considers herself to be closely related to the diaspora, Gigi is big on representing where you are from and staying true to who you are. During an interview with the South African Hip Hop Daily Show, Gigi tells of her devotion to telling the stories of the youth. Her choice to talk about things pertaining to the ‘hood instead of “popping bottles in the North” keeps her music a symbol of who she is.
Gigi’s messages are unlike those of mainstream genres mistaken for Hip Hop. Gigi voices female empowerment and unity. During her interview with Zeleb.com Gigi states that Hip Hop has three distinct stereotypes when it comes to women. First, the game believes there can only be one big female artist at a time. It is also expected that female Hip Hop artist will not and cannot get along. Most importantly, Gigi states that it is a belief that females must sell sex in order to be successful. LaMayne illustrates that these stigmas hold true because women have accepted it. For that reason, Gigi LaMayne is working hard to break the mold and pave the way for other young women who love rapping as much as she does.
With such a strong message, a great vernacular, and a great support system behind her, it is impossible to think deny Gigi LaMayne. To prove it, Gigi received two rewards for mixtapes, something that many artist have yet to achieve! Check out the link to Gigi’s latest video for Moja featuring WTF:
References:
Gigi’s Twitter & Instagram: Gigi_LaMayne
http://bimba.co.za/gigi-lamayne
Tumi Asks You to “Stop The Violence”
“This is my story and I’m sticking to it. I don’t are what’s hot right now. I’m going to stand for what I believe in. I’ll still out rap any rapper” -Tumi (SABC Digital News Interview Oct 2013).
Boltumelo Molekane, also known as Tumi, continues authentic Hip Hop that is overlooked by the more catchy gimmicky genres like Hipline and Bongoflava. South African born, Tanzania raised, Molekane’s music reflects the daily realities for South Africa. In 1992, with apartheid facing its final days, Tumi and his family returned to South African, settling down in Soweto. At this time, Hip Hop was booming in not only America, but in some parts of Africa as well. Tummy’s rap reflects social problems in a post-apartheid society. Tummy’s reputation increased through his battle rapping. He still can be seen going toe-to-toe with anybody who care to challenge his skill, or anybody who thinks they could out rap him. Tumi belonged to the group Tumi and the Volume, a popular rap band, until their unfortunate disbandment in December 2012
July 20th 2015 Tumi performed for the television show Expresso. His song “Stop The Violence” is a gritty anthem calling out the detriment of society via male infidelity.
It’s all Qur’an and Bible, it’s war business
You call it final then walk in optimistic
I’m caught deciding if rifles are more malignant
Then a jaded husband
Then a fading father
I played my part in
Making it harder
I’m a shell, I’m a bomb, you are Gaza
Tumi correlates the malign act of war and religious persecution to adultery within marriage. The life that is glorified within Hiplife of money, cars, women, and illegal substances disrupts the familial structure. “I played my part in making it harder” apologizes to the women or woman he has hurt in the past. Tumi states the male’s infidelity is like a bomb overpowering the woman, in this sense, Gaza.
Shots fired
Far cry from the honeymoon
Live wire
What you done you can’t undo
That’s desire
Gave me her heart but I put it through
Pain is enough that I shouldn’t do
Maybe her love is not bulletproof but she said
Far cries from the honeymoon points out that young men are not committed to the woman long before marriage is initiated. Tumi warns that what is done cannot be undone. He states that infidelity ruins the strength of love and once these men realize the wrong they have done, it will be too late. Her love is not bulletproof.
Tumi has worked on the documentary Afrique, in which Tumi travels the continent to collaborate with other great Hip Hop powers. In his journey, Tumi realizes that the experience of each person is not all that different.
Here is the link to the documentary’s preview:
Tumi is a great lyricist who uses his poetic background to address his current world issues by way of soulful flows and dope beats. Not forgetting his roots, Tumi remains the Hip Hop voice of the people in a world of commerciality.
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumi_Molekane
http://bimba.co.za/tumi-molekane/return-king/stop-violence
