She is one of the hottest female rappers in the country. She recently came back from a tour in the US and is preparing to travel to the UK. Rapper Genesis Gabriella Tina Manney (28), best known by her stage name Gigi Lamayne, recently bagged the collaboration of a lifetime with South African shoe brand Rock & Co. "Never has there been a collaboration as fitting. The shoes are sexy, savvy, cheeky, classy, everything that I am,' she tells Zimoja.?

MORE THAN JUST A COLLABORATION

This partnership means more to Gigi and her family than anything.  "My mom grew up poor, and she used to walk to school barefoot. She could not afford a single pair of shoes. Having my brand of shoes means more to me than anything,' she says."I am so happy that the woman that raised me into becoming the person I am today can see me own my own range. I take this as a generational privilege because my mom did not have all that she desires, shoes were a privilege in their time.' She is grateful to be able to heal past curses. "I'm super grateful to be having an opportunity to heal generational curses, also the chance to represent access to shoes and so many women across Africa]. This is not about making money but creating a partnership legacy for the future and opening up doors for other artists within the same industry as me.'

?HOW EVERYTHING CAME ABOUT

Gigi says the year 2023 is going to be a great year for her. " I'm super excited about 2023, just being able to make history as a female hip hop artist and getting young girls who aren't able to afford international brands that have the same look and feel at a more affordable price,' she says. "It's a beautiful thing that I started this phenomenal collection before the age of 30. What I like about the summer collection is that there's something that every girl can take from. My personal favourite is the Hypnotic and the Theatra heels, simply because they are bold, unconventional and super comfortable,' she adds.

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