Gqom goes global: Spotify data reveals 5732% surge in streams

Peak listening occurs every Saturday between 5pm and 6pm, affirming gqom’s status as a go-to soundtrack for partygoers around the world.

Initially propelled into the spotlight by Babes Wodumo’s ‘Wololo’, the first gqom track aired on national radio and later featured in Marvel’s Black Panther, the genre’s rise was built on the foundations laid by pioneers like DJ Lag and Distruction Boyz. Early anthems such as ‘Ice Drop’ defined the raw, percussive energy that would become gqom’s sonic signature.

Spotify’s Mother of Music (MoM) campaign, currently spotlighting Durban, pays tribute to the genre’s powerful cultural roots and global resonance.

“Gqom is more than a genre,” Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa head of music Phiona Okumu said. “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.”

Domestically, cities such as Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein top the streaming charts. Internationally, gqom enjoys a strong following in London, Nairobi, Harare and Gaborone.

The genre resonates most with Gen Z, who make up 39% of the South African audience. Additionally, gqom’s fanbase skews male, with 60% of local listeners identifying as men. Among the top-performing artists are Dlala Thukzin, DJ Lag and Mr Thela, while the likes of Busiswa, Moonchild Sanelly and Cairo CPT continue to shape gqom’s ever-evolving global presence.

Spotify’s data highlights the genre’s widespread popularity, with the most-streamed tracks including:

• ‘Ama Gear’ – Dlala Thukzin, Funky Qla, MK Productions, Zee Nxumalo
• ‘Ngeke’ – Big Nuz, DJ Yamza
• ‘Omunye’ – Benny Maverick, Distruction Boyz, Dladla Mshunqisi
• ‘John Cena’ – Sho Madjozi
• ‘Hade Boss’ – DJ Lag, K.C Driller, Mr Nation Thingz
• ‘Sohlala Sisonke’ – Dlala Thukzin, MK Productions, Zeh McGeba
• ‘Banomoya’ – Busiswa, Prince Kaybee, TNS
• ‘Midnight Starring’ – Busiswa, DJ Maphorisa, DJ Tira, Distruction Boyz, Moonchild Sanelly, Rude Boyz
• ‘Ngibambeni’ – Mxolisi Khumalo, YANII
• ‘Eyadini’ – Dason, Manqonqo, Saviour Gee