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From Gqom to Amapiano: Why South African Music is Taking Over the World
By Thando Mokoena•August 28, 2025•6 min read
From Gqom to Amapiano, South African music is taking over the world. Discover the roots, stars, and festivals driving the global sound.
Walk into a nightclub in London, scroll through TikTok in New York, or check out a Spotify chart in Paris, and chances are you’ll hear it — the unmistakable beat of South Africa. From the gritty pulse of Gqom to the soulful sway of Amapiano, South African music is no longer confined to local dance floors. It’s global, it’s unstoppable, and it’s reshaping the soundscape of the 21st century.
Roots That Run Deep
Before South African beats went international, they lived in our streets, taxis, and townships. The 1990s brought Kwaito, a homegrown genre that fused house music with township slang and swagger. Kwaito was more than just a sound; it was a post-apartheid identity marker, a cultural soundtrack for freedom and self-expression.
Fast forward to the 2010s, and Gqom exploded from Durban’s townships. Dark, minimalist, and heavy, Gqom didn’t ask for permission — it demanded attention. It was the sound of defiance, often made in bedrooms on pirated software, but it had a raw power that crossed oceans.
At the same time, South Africa’s jazz and house legacy continued to influence the global stage. Artists like Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba laid the groundwork decades ago, proving that South African music could travel. Today’s stars are carrying that torch in new ways.
Fast forward to the 2010s, and Gqom exploded from Durban’s townships. Dark, minimalist, and heavy, Gqom didn’t ask for permission — it demanded attention. It was the sound of defiance, often made in bedrooms on pirated software, but it had a raw power that crossed oceans.
At the same time, South Africa’s jazz and house legacy continued to influence the global stage. Artists like Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba laid the groundwork decades ago, proving that South African music could travel. Today’s stars are carrying that torch in new ways.
Enter Amapiano: The Global Takeover
If Gqom was raw energy, then Amapiano is smooth fire. Born in Pretoria and Johannesburg townships around 2016, this genre blended deep house, kwaito, jazz, and soul into something hypnotic. It started as a local underground movement, shared via WhatsApp and street parties, before erupting into a national obsession.
Now? It’s everywhere. TikTok dance challenges turned Amapiano into a viral export. Global superstars like Drake, Major League DJz, and Uncle Waffles helped it reach international audiences. By 2024, Amapiano wasn’t just a South African sound — it was topping charts, filling clubs in Ibiza, and even featuring at Coachella.
What makes Amapiano so irresistible? Its versatility. One track can feel chilled, the perfect sunset vibe, while another hits like a club anthem at 3 a.m. It’s music you can live in.
Now? It’s everywhere. TikTok dance challenges turned Amapiano into a viral export. Global superstars like Drake, Major League DJz, and Uncle Waffles helped it reach international audiences. By 2024, Amapiano wasn’t just a South African sound — it was topping charts, filling clubs in Ibiza, and even featuring at Coachella.
What makes Amapiano so irresistible? Its versatility. One track can feel chilled, the perfect sunset vibe, while another hits like a club anthem at 3 a.m. It’s music you can live in.
Gqom’s Lasting Impact
Though Amapiano is hogging the spotlight right now, Gqom never disappeared. Its darker, more aggressive energy continues to influence artists worldwide. When Beyoncé dropped her Lion King: The Gift album in 2019, Gqom was front and centre. International DJs often remix Gqom tracks into their sets, proving that this gritty Durban sound carved out a permanent global lane.
South African Stars Shaping the World
- Black Coffee – From township clubs to Grammy-winning DJ, Black Coffee is living proof that South African house music is global currency.
- Tyla – With her Grammy Award and worldwide smash hit “Water,” Tyla represents the new generation of South African stars breaking into the mainstream.
- Kabza De Small – Dubbed the “King of Amapiano,” Kabza is one of the genre’s architects and a constant innovator.
- Sho Madjozi – Known for her vibrant Tsonga-infused rap and electric performances, she’s become a global ambassador for South African creativity.
- Uncle Waffles – From viral dance clips to international festival headliner, she’s proof of how quickly South African talent can travel in the digital age.
Why the World Can’t Get Enough
So, why does South African music translate so easily across borders?
- Authenticity – The music isn’t trying to sound global; it’s proudly local, and that’s what makes it stand out.
- The Beat Factor – Whether it’s Amapiano’s log drum or Gqom’s thundering bass, these sounds hit the body before the mind. You don’t need to understand the lyrics to move.
- Dance Culture – South African music is inseparable from dance. Every new track seems to come with its own moves, and when those dances go viral, the music spreads even faster.
Final Note: More Than a Trend
South African music isn’t a passing wave. It’s a movement rooted in identity, creativity, and community. The world is finally tuning in to what we’ve known all along: when South Africans make music, they make magic.
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Thando Mokoena
The Event Specialist
Thando lives for the buzz of a live crowd, the soundcheck rumble, and the confetti drop at the final encore. As Computicket’s go-to event guru, she’s your inside track on the hottest shows, music festivals, comedy nights, and cultural happenings across South Africa. Whether it’s a local house party in Joburg or a secret set in Stellenbosch, Thando knows where the vibe is — and how to get tickets before they’re sold out.
Article Info
6 min read
August 28, 2025
659 words
Status: published