Gqom, a South African electronic dance music genre, is defined by its minimalist, syncopated beats and repetitive patterns. Characterized by a raw, percussive sound, it fuels energetic dance culture.
South African dance music and a variant of house music without the four-on-the-floor rhythm pattern of an electronic dance music. Gqom is known for its beats which have a minimal, raw and repetitive sound with heavy bass.
Influenced By: Afro HouseKwaito
In Gqom, repetition is key. Minimal lines are repeated over and over throughout a song. It is not the typical verse-chorus- verse-chorus style. The verses are sometimes in a call and response form which are always repeated constantly throughout the song. At times, there are no verses at all. The percussive vocal style of Kwaito can be said to be influential in terms of vocal style been implemented.
The lyrical contents are heavily inspired by nightclub activities.
Gqom music from South Africa draws influence from incorporating elements of kwaito and house. It reflects urban youth culture, with a fusion of local and global sounds.
The timbre of Gqom music can be described as dark. Producers make use of bass synth sounds fused with Minor notes which ultimately provide the music genre with a distinctive dark and raw sound.
The Melodies in Gqom music are usually derived from instrumental productions. The most dominant melody in Gqom music is the monotonous minor synth bass sound that is always prominent from the beginning of a song until the end. Gqom’s rhythmic pattern is more of a distorted one in which the kick virtually leaves little or no space for hi-hats and snares. There is the constant use of kicks throughout.