DURBAN — Durban’s unmistakable gqom sound is getting another major showcase as producers Woza Bakzin and Goldmax join forces for their first full-length collaborative album, GIB – Gqom In Black.
The 14-track project brings together two producers who have each developed distinctive identities within South Africa’s electronic music scene, combining their approaches to rhythm, percussion and club-focused production.
Rather than simply revisiting the foundations of gqom, the pair say the project is about respecting the genre’s roots while continuing to push its sound into new territory.
Leading the album’s rollout is “Kush’ Ibhadu”, a high-energy collaboration featuring one of the genre’s most recognisable figures, DJ Tira.
With its pounding drums, infectious rhythm and unmistakable Durban character, the single offers an immediate introduction to the sonic world of GIB.
From mutual respect to a full album
The collaboration between Bakzin and Goldmax did not begin with the intention of producing a full album.
The two artists had known of each other’s work for years, with Bakzin recalling that Goldmax had long admired his production.
“I have always known Goldmax from my earlier years. He has always said he admired my work,” Bakzin says.
Their relationship developed through individual collaborations, with the producers gradually discovering that their styles worked particularly well together.
Goldmax would sometimes send Bakzin tracks to work on, and the response from listeners encouraged them to explore the partnership further.
“Sometimes he would send songs to work on that he was the only producer on and amazingly enough the public would celebrate and support those songs,” Bakzin explains.
As they continued creating together, the idea of a larger project began to make sense.
“We started to enjoy our production style together. A collaborative project was only a matter of time,” he says.
Bakzin initially expected the collaboration to become an EP.
Goldmax had a more ambitious vision.
“To my surprise, he called for an album,” Bakzin says.
That decision ultimately resulted in GIB – Gqom In Black.
Two production styles, one sound
For Goldmax, the appeal of working with Bakzin came from recognising elements of his own creative approach in the producer’s work.
“I saw a reflection of myself in Bakzin’s style of producing,” he says.
Rather than rushing into a joint album, Goldmax wanted to test their chemistry across multiple tracks.
That process eventually convinced both producers that they had enough musical common ground to sustain an entire project.
The result is an album designed around the rhythmic intensity associated with gqom, while giving both producers room to bring their individual identities to the music.
The genre itself has become one of South Africa’s most influential electronic music exports, emerging from Durban’s townships in the early 2010s before spreading across the country and gaining international attention.
Gqom’s stripped-back production, heavy bass, hypnotic percussion and unconventional rhythmic structures helped distinguish it from other forms of South African dance music.
Artists and producers from Durban played a crucial role in turning the local sound into a global phenomenon.
DJ Tira adds his signature energy
The first taste of GIB comes through “Kush’ Ibhadu”, featuring DJ Tira.
For a project deeply rooted in Durban’s gqom culture, the collaboration is fitting.
DJ Tira has been instrumental in popularising South African dance music and has worked with generations of artists across gqom, house and related genres.
Bakzin says the decision to release “Kush’ Ibhadu” first became obvious almost immediately after production began.
“It was evident right after we started working on it that it will be the first one to be released,” he says.
The track’s aggressive percussion and dancefloor-focused energy make it a natural introduction to an album that aims to capture the raw spirit of Durban nightlife.
The producers also already had a working relationship with DJ Tira, having collaborated with him both together and separately.
“We have been blessed to have worked with DJ Tira on many accounts together and separately,” Bakzin says.
Keeping gqom’s Durban identity alive
One of the project’s strongest qualities is its connection to the city where gqom developed.
Durban has long been regarded as the genre’s spiritual home, with its distinctive sound emerging from local communities and eventually finding audiences throughout South Africa and overseas.
Gqom became known for its unconventional approach to rhythm and percussion, often relying on sparse arrangements, deep basslines and hard-hitting drum patterns rather than the more melodic structures associated with other dance genres.
Its evolution has also demonstrated the ability of South African producers to create internationally influential sounds from local musical cultures.
GIB arrives at a time when gqom continues to evolve, with younger producers and vocalists experimenting with the genre while established artists continue to revisit and reinvent its original sound.
For Bakzin and Goldmax, that balance between tradition and innovation appears to be central to the project.
A new chapter for both producers
Collaborative albums can sometimes struggle to maintain a consistent identity when two producers have distinctly different approaches.
GIB, however, was built around the idea that the similarities between Bakzin and Goldmax could become a strength.
Rather than competing for space, the producers used their respective production styles to build a shared sonic identity.
That approach allows the album to function both as a celebration of gqom’s history and as a statement about where the genre can go next.
The 14-track format also gives them considerably more room to explore than a single or short EP would have allowed.
Listeners can expect a project built around the dancefloor but with enough variation to showcase the creative personalities behind it.
More collaborations already planned
For fans hoping that GIB will lead to more music from the pair, Goldmax has already offered an encouraging answer.
He says the album is not intended to be the end of their collaboration.
“Of course, I am always working and he shares the same sentiments, so people should expect many releases from us,” he says.
That suggests GIB could be the beginning of a longer creative partnership rather than a one-off experiment.
With both producers continuing to work independently while developing their joint sound, there is potential for the collaboration to become an ongoing fixture in Durban’s evolving gqom scene.
The sound of Durban keeps moving
GIB – Gqom In Black arrives as another reminder of the enduring influence of Durban’s electronic music culture.
The genre has travelled far from its early underground beginnings, influencing artists across South Africa and gaining recognition internationally.
Yet its connection to Durban remains central to its identity.
By bringing together two producers who have spent years developing their own interpretations of the sound, the album reflects both the history and evolution of gqom.
And with DJ Tira joining Bakzin and Goldmax on “Kush’ Ibhadu”, the project has opened with a collaboration that carries plenty of cultural and musical weight.
For listeners, GIB offers 14 opportunities to hear what happens when two producers with shared influences, mutual respect and complementary styles decide to build an entire project together.
For Bakzin and Goldmax, it could be the beginning of something considerably bigger.
The message from the producers is clear: Durban’s gqom heartbeat is still pounding, and it is evolving with the times.
