‘There is no money in SA music’: Gigi Lamayne

With an illustrious career spanning years, Gigi Lamayne has quickly become one of South Africa’s celebrated musicians. Since her thrust into the limelight, she has managed to remain relevant.

Over the years, she has fast become one of the most booked singers in South Africa. Gigi Lamayne has managed to headline several shows across the globe. However, despite her big wins, the star made headlines after revealing that the music industry does not pay in South Africa.

GIGI LAMAYNE OPENS UP ABOUT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY

Gigi Lamayne expressed these sentiments during her interview on the Trndza Podcast. Her remarks have since set social media abuzz, with many trying to connect the dots about some of their favourite artists’ lavish lifestyles.

South African singers have undoubtedly managed to wow many with their life of glitz and glamour. Some singers reportedly own expensive mansions and tend to make headlines with some of their flashiest cars.

However, Gigi Lamayne said it’s not a one-size-fits-all situation, and there is no money in the South African music industry.

She said, “There’s no money in music in South Africa. If you want to make money in music, you must go outside South Africa. You’re never going to make money here, or you’re going to make it for a short amount of time, and you need to strike, and you need to strike hard,” she said.

However, Gigi Lamayne did acknowledge that several stars, such as DJ Maphorisa, Busta 929, and Cassper Nyovest, have made a considerable chunk of their net worth from their colourful musical careers.

Gigi Lamayne posted, “Off my head, people who have struck hard continuously are the likes of Maphorisa and Busta 929. I think Cassper Nyovest also has done a really, really good job.”

“It’s very difficult to make money consistently in music in South Africa. So if you are somebody who wants to get into it and you’re not sure, I always say do it as a hobby, and then if it works out, that’s okay. But if it doesn’t, then you know it’s something else. But there’s absolutely no money in music,” Lamayne added.

OTHER CELEBRATED STARS

Several artists were implicated in the mix against her remarks, with Mzansi trying to connect the dots about South Africa’s richest musicians. Since his thrust into the limelight, Black Coffee has been winning big and dubbed one of the most celebrated DJs in the world.

DJ Black Coffee has headlined several shows worldwide and made Europe his playground. Rumour has it that he is worth an estimated $60 million.

Conversely, musicians like Cassper Nyovest and DJ Maphorisa have made a fortune from their careers. The two have splurged millions on designer clothes and exotic cars that have often thrust them into the trends.