Gqom is one of South Africa’s proudest sound exports. A beat that started in Durban bedrooms and taxi ranks, and grew into a movement the whole country claims with love. What makes gqom special is how it holds its roots while constantly reinventing itself.

The pioneers, names like DJ Lag, Rudeboyz, Distruction Boyz, NakedBoye, Griffit Vigo, and Babes Wodumo, whose breakout anthems helped take gqom to the world. These individuals and many others steadily carved out the raw, hard-hitting foundation. They created a sound that didn’t follow the rules with heavy drums, sharp kicks, and a rhythm that grabs you before you even notice you’re dancing. They built the blueprint.

But gqom hasn’t stayed still. Newer artists and producers are shaping its next chapter. People like Que DJ, Omagoqa, Citizen Boy, Menzi, TNS, Que DaFloor, and a wave of emerging underground creators are stretching the genre making it faster, moodier, more experimental, or even more radio-friendly depending on where you hear it. Every generation adds something fresh.

And what’s beautiful is how gqom shifts depending on where you are in the country. Durban gives us the original raw, industrial sound bold, heavy, and undeniably proud. Cape Town brings a skippy, playful twist that blends with local street culture. Johannesburg adds polish, collaborations, and a club-ready edge. Townships everywhere remix it into something personal, adding chants, call-and-response vocals, or local slang.

No matter the variation, gqom has one mission, to move people!

We love gqom because it’s ours, born from everyday life, shaped by young creators, and carried by community. It’s the sound of taxis rushing past, of backyard parties, of street corners, of late-night dancefloors. It’s the sound that connects us across provinces.

Gqom is evolving, but its spirit stays the same… bold, loud, and alive. And that’s why we love it.