Born in the backrooms of KwaMashu, Gqom is a raw, hypnotic sound shaped by little more than laptops and pure drive. This genre carved out a fearless cultural voice for South Africa’s youth, one that now echoes across the globe. Spotify’s Mother of Music (MoM) puts a spotlight on this powerful movement.
From Wololo to Wakanda
Let’s go down memory lane, Gqom’s breakout moment came when Babes Wodumo’s “Wololo” made history as the first Gqom track aired on national radio and later roared through Marvel’s Black Panther, taking the genre global but the foundation was laid by pioneers like DJ Lag and Distruction Boyz, whose early hits like “Ice Drop” defined the genre’s raw, percussion-heavy DNA.
Gqom by the numbers
According to Spotify data, a staggering 5732% growth in global Gqom streams since 2018 was recorded, with listeners peaking every Saturday between 17:00 – 18:00 – a clear sign the genre fuels the global party circuit. Top cities streaming Gqom include Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, and Bloemfontein. Globally, London, Nairobi, Harare, and Gaborone are jamming to the genre the most.
While the genre resonates across ages, Gen Z leads the charge, making up 39% of listeners locally, driven by Gqom’s unfiltered energy and street-born authenticity. The genre also sees a higher male audience, with 60% of local listeners identifying as male.
A global sound
Spotify’s top-streamed Gqom tracks worldwide include:
-
Ama Gear by Dlala Thukzin, Funky Qla, MK Productions, Zee Nxumalo
-
Omunye by Benny Maverick, Distruction Boyz, Dladla Mshunqisi
-
Sohlala Sisonke by Dlala Thukzin, MK Productions, Zeh McGeba
-
Banomoya by Busiswa, Prince Kaybee, TNS
-
Midnight Starring by Busiswa, DJ Maphorisa, DJ Tira, Distruction Boyz, Moonchild Sanelly, Rude Boyz
-
Eyadini by Dason, Manqonqo, Saviour Gee
In the artist ranks, Dlala Thukzin, DJ Lag, and Mr Thela continue to lead both local and global charts, with artists like Busiswa, Moonchild Sanelly and Cairo CPT pushing boundaries and exporting Gqom’s energy to the world.
Celebrating Durban’s heritage
Spotify’s MOM in Durban isn’t just a celebration; it’s a homecoming. “Gqom is more than a genre,” says Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa Head of Music, Phiona Okumu. “It’s a movement. And it started here. MOM gives us a chance to honour Gqom’s roots, spotlight the artists, and fuel its next chapter.”
Through MOM, Spotify reaffirms its commitment to uncovering local stories with global resonance. Here, a beat born in Durban can be felt in London, Nairobi, or Lagos.
Durban didn’t just birth Gqom. It built a genre that shook the world, and the world is still dancing.
Jam to the hottest Gqom tracks here: https://open.spotify.