Gqom
Gqom (pronounced gome) is a South African electronic music style born in Durban in the 2010s. Stemming from kwaito and house music, gqom is characterized by minimalist, dark, and repetitive beats, with a heavy bass and without the typical “four-on-the-floor” structure of traditional house. Producers create their sounds using simple software and drum machines.
The pioneers include Naked Boyz, Rudeboyz, Griffit Vigo and later DJ Lag (considered the father of modern gqom) and the Distruction Boyz. Gqom has become an international movement, influencing North American and European house music.
Gqom is a precursor to amapiano — the amapiano log drum draws directly from gqom’s sound.