Gigi Lamayne is part of a recent growth of female MCs in South Africa. Based in Johannesburg, her strong vocal presence and lyrical style are unmistakably hip hop. She also presents a strong, confident feminist energy in hip hop’s hyper-masculine culture. A member of South Africa’s “born free” generation, Gigi Lamayne started MCing as a teenager. There has been a noticeable growth in her lyrics over the years, and Gigi Lamayne is now one of the most well known female MCs in South Africa.
Confrontations of sexism, patriarchy, domestic violence, and post-apartheid politics are themes throughout her music. In this conversation Gigi Lamayne talks about her music and influences, and her decision to address controversial, sensitive topics.
Her most recent release, Ground Zero, can be found on iTunes and other online outlets.
Table of Contents
Intro to themes in her music, including clips from some of her songs: 1:03
Interview: 13:17
Feminism: 19:45
Miss Nthabi & collaborations with other MCs 23:44
- (Miss Nthabi is an earlier South African MC who offers words of advice on being a female MC in the intro to Gigi Lamayne’s Ground Zero)
Emotional domestic violence 29:49
Fees Will Fall: 33:29
Language: 40:28
Find Gigi Lamayne Online Facebook | Instagram: gigi_lamayne | SoundCloud | YouTube | Twitter: gigi_lamayne
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