Gigi Lamayne Reinvents Herself as a DJ and Takes Her Sound to Europe

South African rapper, entrepreneur, and now DJ, Gigi Lamayne, is proving once again that she is never afraid to try something new. At 31, the star, whose real name is Genesis Gabriella Tina Manney, has built a reputation for versatility, and now she’s stepping into the exciting world of deejaying.

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From her early poetry days in Joburg to dominating hip-hop stages, Gigi has always shown that her creativity knows no limits. Along the way, she has collected big wins, including four SA Hip-Hop Awards such as Best Female and won Hip Hop Artist of the Year at the 2025 Basadi in Music Awards. Now, she’s ready to take on the decks.

“Honestly, I’ve always been obsessed with sound and rhythm. Rapping gave me a mic and a message, but deejaying gave me a whole new canvas to paint on. It’s like going from cooking one dish to running the whole kitchen. It’s been challenging because people know me as a rapper first, but that’s also the fun part – surprising them. It has empowered me because now I can merge Afro-Tech, hip-hop, and house into one big crazy dance floor sermon,” Gigi told Daily Sun.

Her new journey has already taken her beyond borders, as she prepares for her first international gigs in Europe. For Gigi, the opportunity feels unreal. “It feels surreal. I mean, I started with poetry in Joburg and now I’ll be making people dance in Europe? That’s wild. Every show will feel like I’m waving the South African flag and saying, ‘Hey world, this is what we sound like, this is what we dance to.’ It’s humbling and exciting because I know I’m opening doors for more African artists too.”

Even as a DJ, Gigi says her rap background shapes her sets. “As a rapper, I’ve always been about storytelling, cadence, and timing and that sneaks into my deejaying. I hear music differently. I’m always looking for the narrative in a beat. So, when I’m on the decks, it’s like I’m dropping verses with my track selection.”

But the hustle doesn’t stop here. Gigi is preparing to release her new EP titled I’m Not a DJ. “It’s my official statement to the world: I’m here to blend sounds, genres, and vibes unapologetically. Fans can expect more collabs, more international gigs, and a lot more dance music that still has that Gigi rap soul in it. The best is yet to come,” she promised.