Dankie Boi, Blacks Jnr and GoldMax Bring Durban Streets to the World with “New Wave”

Durban’s vibrant street culture has reached a global audience with the release of New Wave, a 16-track album produced by Dankie Boi, Blacks Jnr and GoldMax. The project pushes gqom music into new territory while staying rooted in the genre’s township origins.

Dankie Boi, born Mfanafuthi Buthelezi, explained that his approach to the album was grounded in respect for gqom’s heritage. “Evolving gqom starts with understanding where it comes from. I grew up on that raw, minimal, hard-hitting Durban sound. With New Wave, I did not want to change gqom. I wanted to stretch it, add new melodies and sounds, but keep the heartbeat intact—the heavy drums, the tension, the darkness. It is still the same spirit, just sharper, bigger, funkier and more global.”

Each track reflects the energy of Durban’s townships. “Durban’s townships are loud, colourful, chaotic and full of character, and so is the music. You will hear the energy of the weekends, the taxis, the street dances, the youth culture and the hustle. Gqom has always been a voice for the townships, so the album represents that daily rhythm. It is the sound of real people, real movement, real life,” Boi said. He added that gqom can be spiritual, creating a sense of belonging and healing for both artists and listeners.

Collaboration was key to the project’s success. “Working with Blacks Jnr and GoldMax is powerful because we all share the same roots, but bring different strengths to music production. It is about leadership, being part of the generation that protects, evolves and showcases gqom to the world. We are responsible for maintaining the authenticity of the sound while pushing boundaries. Gqom will never die, and we want to pioneer it through and through,” he explained.

Balancing innovation with tradition required careful attention. “I treated melodies and progressions like seasoning, not the whole meal. Durban gqom has a specific flavour: dark, hypnotic, repetitive. I added subtle musical elements that lift the emotional side of the songs without changing their DNA. The balance comes from experience. I know when to keep it gritty and raw, and when to bring in something smooth or unexpected. It is still Durban gqom, but now it has moments that speak to the heart as much as the body.”

For international audiences, New Wave offers a doorway into Durban’s dance culture. “They should expect pure energy. New Wave is how we dance, celebrate, express ourselves and release stress. It is raw, intense and full of character, but also more melodic, more musical, more global. If they come in with an open mind, they will discover a movement that is alive, modern and ready to take over stages anywhere.” Boi also noted that the album aims to expand gqom’s presence on radio, reaching wider audiences beyond the raw sounds of the townships.

The album combines street-level energy with studio precision. Each track builds on gqom’s rhythmic foundations while introducing innovative textures, unexpected beats and melodic flourishes that increase its global appeal. Dankie Boi has emerged as a leading voice in the new wave of gqom, known for sharp production and high-energy performances.

“This is more than music. It is culture, it is history, and it is our voice. We are telling our story, representing the townships and showing the world that gqom is here to stay. Each beat carries the hustle and the life of Durban, and we want listeners everywhere to feel that pulse,” Boi said.

New Wave demonstrates that gqom can thrive beyond its Durban roots while maintaining its identity, connecting with audiences worldwide and setting the stage for the genre’s next evolution.