Gqom

Gqom
Other names
  • Igqomu
  • gqom tech
  • sgubhu
  • 3 step
  • G.Q.O.M
Stylistic origins
Cultural originsEarly 2010s, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Typical instruments
Derivative forms
  • Amapiano
  • Bérite Club
  • Cruise
  • Street Pop
  • UK Gqom
Subgenres
  • Afrikaans Gqom (Gqom Afrikaans)
  • Core Tribe
  • Electro Gqom Music (EGM)
  • Gqom 2.0
  • Gqom Gospel (Cape Town Gqom/Gospel Gqom)
  • Gqom Tech
  • Gqom Trap
  • Isqinsi
  • Mbumbulu Style
  • Sgubhu
  • Taxi Kick
  • 3-Step
  • uThayela
  • Umgido
  • Unti Style
Fusion genres
  • Amapiano
  • Bérite Club
  • Cruise
  • Street Pop
  • Quantum Sound
Local scenes

Gqom ([ᶢǃʱòm]) (igqomu ([iᶢǃʱòmu]), gqom tech, sgubhu, 3-Step or G.Q.O.M) is an African electronic dance music genre and subgenre of house music, that emerged in the early 2010s from Durban, South Africa,[1][2][3][4] pioneered and innovated by music producers Naked Boyz, Rudeboyz,[5][6][7][8] Sbucardo, Griffit Vigo,[9][10] Nasty Boyz, DJ Lag,[5][11][12] Menzi Shabane,[13][14] Distruction Boyz[15] and Citizen Boy.[16][17]

Unlike other South African electronic music, traditional gqom is typified by minimal, raw and repetitive sound with heavy bass but without the four-on-the-floor rhythm pattern.[1]

Music industry personnel who were pivotal in accelerating the genre's international acclaim in the genre's initial developmental phases included the likes of South African rapper Okmalumkoolkat, Italian record label Gqom Oh owner Nane Kolè, as well as other South Africans, including event curator and public relations liaison Cherish Lala Mankai, Afrotainment record label owner DJ Tira, Babes Wodumo, Mampintsha and Busiswa.[18][19][20][21]

Gqom song
A raw 2-minute gqom beat
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  1. ^ a b Oliver, Huw (2016-01-22). "Gqom, the foot-stomping new sound of South Africa's townships". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2018-09-03. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
  2. ^ "No more 4x4: How sounds from the Global South stopped club culture stagnating". Mixmag. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  3. ^ Dazed (2018-11-23). "The rise of Africa's most exciting new dance music scenes". Dazed. Retrieved 2024-08-16.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :44 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Dazed (2015-06-05). "What the foq is gqom?". Dazed. Archived from the original on 2020-06-22. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  6. ^ "Meet the 'unsung heroes' behind gqom music: Rudeboyz". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 2019-12-04. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  7. ^ "Rude Boyz – The Music Imbizo". Archived from the original on 2020-08-05. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  8. ^ "FADER Mix: RudeBoyz". The FADER. Archived from the original on 2021-01-23. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  9. ^ Kriger, Themba (23 October 2020). "Griffit Vigo's "I Am Gqom" Returns to the Roots of Gqom". Redbull. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Success In Reverse: Dj Lag Talks". www.theransomnote.com. Archived from the original on 2020-08-14. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  11. ^ D’Souza, Mikey Burey, Shaad (2018-12-10). "DJ Lag's Noisey Mix Shows How Fast Gqom Moves". Vice. Archived from the original on 2020-09-15. Retrieved 2020-05-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "DJ Lag | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 2020-12-19. Retrieved 2020-05-18.
  13. ^ Renoncourt, Francois (14 April 2020). "South‑African artist Menzi explores a new facet of the Gqom". Pan African Music (PAM). Archived from the original on 17 May 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  14. ^ Bennett, Esme (15 April 2020). "Menzi Impazamo". The Quietus. Archived from the original on 16 December 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  15. ^ "Distruction Boyz and gqom: The South African sound taking over Europe". BBC. 2 November 2018. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  16. ^ "Gqom: A deeper look at South Africa's new generation of house". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. 2016-01-05. Archived from the original on 2018-10-27. Retrieved 2018-10-27.
  17. ^ Akyea, Akornefa (2018-07-19). "The Gqom Generation of Durban, South Africa". Afropop Worldwide. Archived from the original on 2019-02-19. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
  18. ^ Reporter, Staff (2013-11-21). "Okmalumkoolkat: The koolkat of future kwaito". The Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 28 November 2013. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  19. ^ Weichenrieder, Philipp (19 April 2016). "Gqom-Musik aus Südafrika". Taz.de. Archived from the original on 20 April 2016.
  20. ^ Masilela, Brenda (24 December 2022). "RIP Mampintsha: EFF hails Big Nuz star as innovator". IOL. Archived from the original on 24 December 2022. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  21. ^ Adimora, Makua (27 March 2023). "These are the most exciting gqom producers right now". DJ Mag. Archived from the original on 29 October 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.