Durban’s gqom sound is getting another heavyweight moment as producers Woza Bakzin and Goldmax join forces for their first full collaborative album, “GIB – Gqom In Black”.
The 14-track project brings together two producers who have each carved out their own space in the genre, combining their production styles into a project that celebrates where gqom comes from while pushing the sound forward.
Leading the album’s rollout is “Kush’ Ibhadu”, featuring none other than gqom royalty DJ Tira.
With its heavy drums, infectious bounce and unmistakably Durban energy, the track sets the tone for what listeners can expect from “GIB” – loud, unapologetic and made for the dancefloor.
For Woza Bakzin, the collaboration with Goldmax feels like a natural progression after years of admiring each other’s work.
“I have always known Goldmax from my earlier years. He has always said he admired my work,” Bakzin explains.
The pair began working together on individual songs before realising that their production chemistry could stretch much 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. We started to enjoy our production style together. A collaborative project was only a matter of time,” he says.
Bakzin initially thought their collaboration would result in an EP. Goldmax, however, had bigger plans.
“To my surprise, he called for an album,” Bakzin says.
Goldmax says the decision to commit to a full-length project came after recognising similarities between their approaches to production.
“I saw a reflection of myself in Bakzin’s style of producing and I decided to work on more music with him before deciding on a joint album,” he says.
DJ Tira brings the heat
The duo wasted little time in making a statement with their first single.
‘Kush’ Ibhadu’ features DJ Tira, whose contribution adds another layer of gqom credibility to a collaboration already rooted in the genre’s Durban DNA.
According to Bakzin, the track stood out almost immediately.
“It was evident right after we started working on it that it will be the first one to be released,” he says.
The collaboration also continues the producers’ relationship with DJ Tira, having previously worked with the gqom veteran both together and separately.
“We have been blessed to have worked with DJ Tira on many accounts together and separately,” Bakzin says.
More music is on the way
While the duo may have just unveiled their first joint album, fans should not expect “GIB” to be a once-off collaboration.
Goldmax says the pair are already looking ahead.
“Of course, I am always working and he shares the same sentiments, so people should expect many releases from us,” he says.
For now, “GIB – Gqom In Black” gives listeners 14 tracks from two producers who clearly believe their combined sound is bigger than the sum of its parts.
And with “Kush’ Ibhadu” bringing DJ Tira into the mix, the duo has made one thing clear: Durban’s gqom heartbeat is still very much alive.
IOL
