Giving gqom a proper platform

The rise of gqom music has seen the need for a music conference dedicated to the genre. I spoke to DJ Sox, the organiser, about the conference, the genre and the longevity of gqom in the industry. 

Gqom is the latest music genre to leave the shores of South Africa and take the world by storm. 

We have seen artists like DJ Lag, Distruction Boyz, Rude Boyz, Bhizer, Babes Wodumo, and DJ Nkoh, shake-up the music scene with the genre. 

The influence of gqom is so evident in music these days, that even hip-hop and dancehall artists have embraced it. 

Nigerian artists like Pantoranking have found it hard to ignore the genre and have since released gqom inspired songs. 

Europe and the US can’t get enough of it and is so popular, that Wololo by Babes Wodumo and Gobisiqolo by Bhizer, were featured in key scenes in Black Panther. 

But even with the success and popularity of the genre, there is still a need to create platforms for gqom musicians, who are mostly 'bedroom producers', to be given the necessary information, to not only protect their music but also ensure their contribution to the genre, benefits them. 

Speakers at the Gqom Music Conference include Durban’s Finest (DJ Sox and DJ Tira); Rude Boys, Distruction Boyz and DJ Lag and producers and label owners Oskido and Zakes Bantwini, alongside the major music labels.