Ten years into the game, and South African rapper and singer-songwriter Gigi Lamayne has shown no signs of battle fatigue as she continues to not only drop bangers but to branch out to other ventures beyond music. With the releases of “Bestie” alongside her partner in music and in real life Sizwe Alakine and “Bleed Mama” with Emtee and Nathan Blur, she unleashed her newest project Doves & Scones, a dichotomous opus that explores duality as represented by the imagery of the objects in the title.
She shared her insight into the naming and the creation of the album.
“Doves and Scones was really a labour of love. The title might sound like high tea with your inner child, and in many ways, it is! The “dove” represents peace — not just world peace, but the personal kind. The kind you fight for after years in an industry that’s beautiful but brutal. And the “scones”? Well, that’s me giving you the softness, the sweetness, the nostalgia — something that feels like home, even when you’re at war with the world or yourself. Another take also is really starting again. Phasing out the old version of myself was ushering in a new dawn. Doves and Scones are for funerals too. So it’s bye bye to the old Gigi.
“The creative process was healing, chaotic, and liberating. I didn’t want to make an album that just sounded good — I wanted it to feel like something. I tapped into sounds that echo my roots, but I also leaned into future-forward production that celebrates evolution. I’m a hip-hop baby at heart, but I’ve grown — spiritually, musically, and emotionally — and I wanted the album to reflect that journey,” she said, speaking of the album.
Gigi Lamayne | SUPPLIED
Six bodies of work deep, Gigi spoke about the eclectic influences which breathed life into her latest album, citing the importance of working with soundsmiths who dared her to push ethereal and musical boundaries with her 2025 offering. Christening the album her “business card”, Lamayne revealed that the levels of challenges she faced while crafting this album with her collaborators were fitting for her ambitions and proportional to how much of herself she had planned to invest in the LP.
“With Doves & Scones, I really gave myself permission to unlearn, relearn, and then rebel — all in one body of work. I think that’s the biggest shift: intention. Earlier in my career, I was just hungry — bars for days, punchlines sharp enough to slice through steel. But now? I’m still hungry, but I’m also wise enough to know what I’m feeding and who I’m feeding.
“This time around, I slowed things down in the songwriting process. I was more vulnerable, more open to experimenting with different genres and sonic textures. I wasn’t afraid to blend poetry with piano, or let trap drums flirt with old-school kwaito vibes. I also started thinking in albums, not just songs. Every track on Doves & Scones had to either start a conversation or end one — no fillers.
“This album is a business card for every version of me — the artist, the woman, the brand, the healer, and the hustler. And I packaged it in Doves and Scones — because what’s more revolutionary than serving truth with a side of softness?” she said.
Gigi Lamayne | SUPPLIED
Succinct as it is with eleven songs and a playback time of a 33-minutes, the album comes studded with a diverse guestlist. From established names such as Emtee, Sizwe Alakine and Manu WorldStar to rising stars including Kane Keid and the Qwellers, the album is a mixed bag of fresh faces and familiar fan favourites. Gigi outlined the thinking that went into the curation of the feature line-up.
“To be honest, curating the guestlist for Doves & Scones felt a bit like planning the ultimate Sunday lunch—you’ve got to have the fresh-out-the-oven voices next to the seasoned favourites, otherwise it’s just not complete! I’ve been in the game for a decade now, so I’ve seen waves come and go. I knew this album had to reflect both legacy and evolution.
“Bringing in artists like K. Keed and the Qwellers was a no-brainer—there’s a rawness, a hunger they have that reminds me of myself back in the day. It’s that “I’ve got something to prove” energy that just breathes new life into the music. Then pairing that with artists like Manu and Sizwe, who have carved their own lanes but are still very much innovating—well, that’s the magic. It becomes a dialogue between generations.
“At the heart of it, I’m a storyteller and a businesswoman. I knew that for this project to hit different, it had to speak to where hip hop is going while honouring where it’s been. The guestlist wasn’t just about names—it was about energy, about building bridges and passing the mic intentionally. This album is a house, and everyone featured brought their own unique furniture to make it a home. Plus, I mean… if I’m going to be remembered for a decade in the game, I’d better have made sure I gave the future of the game a seat at my table too, right?” she said.
Watch “Bestie”:
Gigi spoke about the satisfaction of where South African hip-hop is at this juncture but qualified her sentiments with laments of the decline in storytelling and music with meaningful substance. She also touched on her hopes of seeing Mzansi rap return to halcyon days of the golden age and witnessing future hip-hop stars work together in building empires with their music.
“You know, hip-hop is in such an interesting place right now—it’s like watching your younger cousin try to find their swag in high school. There’s so much raw talent and energy in the game, and I’m incredibly proud of the young artists who are pushing boundaries, experimenting with sound, and telling their stories unapologetically.
“But if I’m being honest—and I say this with love—I do think we’ve lost a bit of the storytelling and the social commentary that made hip-hop such a powerful tool for change. It’s not just about the drip and the clout – it’s about the message. We need more artists who are bold enough to bring their truth to the mic, even when it’s uncomfortable. That’s where the magic lives.
“Also, from a business perspective, I’d love to see more artists treating their brands like empires. We need to be thinking beyond the next single—ownership, publishing, partnerships, longevity. That’s how we grow the genre sustainably in South Africa and beyond. So yeah, I’m happy—but I’m also hopeful. Hip-hop has always been about evolution, and I think we’re just one bold move away from another golden era,” she said.
Gigi Lamayne | SUPPLIED
A decade and some change deep into the game, Gigi spoke about the changes she’s undergone, from the days she broke into the industry to critical moments in her childhood which eventually came to define the artist she has become.
“You know, when I started out, I was this young girl with big dreams, a pen, and a passion that couldn’t be contained. I was rapping in school corridors, thinking rhyme schemes were my superpower—and honestly, they still are! But back then, it was all about proving myself in cyphers and making sure I was heard in a male-dominated industry.
“Today? I’m still that girl—but now she owns the room, the mic, and the business behind it all. I’ve grown from just wanting to be the best rapper to understanding the full ecosystem of music: branding, ownership, impact. I now create with purpose, and I think a lot more about legacy. I’ve learned that music isn’t just sound—it’s healing, storytelling, and a tool for change.
“My outlook on music has matured like a good bottle of Chateau Del Rei—cheeky plug, but we’re building empires over here! I’m more intentional with my message, more confident in my uniqueness, and I’m finally at peace with not fitting into any box. Growth for me has been about evolving without losing the fire that lit the way in the first place,” she said.
Gigi Lamayne | SUPPLIED
Gigi gave a few shoutouts and artists she desired to work with in the future.
“There are so many dope artists doing incredible things right now, it’s hard to narrow it down—but if life allows it, I’d definitely love to collaborate with the likes of Little Simz, Rapsody, and Tyler, The Creator. I love how they each bring something so uniquely themselves to the table—whether it’s bars, visuals, or sheer originality. Locally, I’ve got mad respect for the likes of Tony Dayimane, William Last, and of course, my brother Emtee—we’ve made magic before, and I know we’ve got more magic in us,” she said.
