Argento Dust Brings Afro-House, Gqom and Hip-Hop Together on New Single Ayxabene

Durban-born music producer Argento Dust is bringing different musical styles together with his latest single, Ayxabene, a collaboration that celebrates the diversity of South African music. The new track features Zee Nxumalo, Blxckie, Kususa and Section Five, combining Afro-House with influences from Gqom, hip-hop and soul. The release highlights Argento Dust’s interest in exploring new sounds while bringing artists from different musical backgrounds into one creative space. Ayxabene also serves as a preview of his upcoming extended play, No Foot Print, which is scheduled for release on 23 October 2026. With the single already out, the producer is preparing to introduce listeners to a broader musical direction that includes 3-Step and Funk House.

Argento Dust has built his latest release around the idea of bringing different sounds together without losing the energy associated with South African dance music. Afro-House provides a central foundation for Ayxabene, while elements of Gqom, hip-hop and soul contribute to its wider musical identity. These genres have distinct characteristics, from the dance-focused rhythms of Afro-House and Gqom to the vocal delivery and storytelling associated with hip-hop and soul. Bringing them together creates an opportunity to explore how different styles can complement one another within a single track. For Argento Dust, the collaboration also provides a platform for a diverse group of artists to contribute their individual strengths to a shared musical project.

The featured artists bring different musical identities to Ayxabene, making the collaboration one of the release’s main attractions. Zee Nxumalo has established a presence in South African popular music, while Blxckie is known for his work in hip-hop. Kususa brings experience in electronic dance music, making the collaboration particularly relevant to the Afro-House direction of the single. Section Five also forms part of the lineup, adding another creative voice to the project. By bringing these artists together, Argento Dust creates a meeting point for different audiences and musical influences, broadening the appeal of the release beyond a single genre.

The inclusion of Afro-House and Gqom reflects the continued importance of South African dance music in shaping contemporary sounds. Afro-House combines house music foundations with African rhythms and musical influences, creating a sound suited to both clubs and festival settings. Gqom, which emerged from Durban, is recognised for its distinctive electronic percussion, heavy bass and driving rhythmic patterns. Both styles have contributed to the development of South Africa’s electronic music culture and continue to inspire producers who want to experiment with fresh combinations. By drawing on these influences, Argento Dust connects his Durban roots with a wider musical landscape that welcomes collaboration and creative experimentation.

Hip-hop and soul add further dimensions to the sound of Ayxabene. Hip-hop offers opportunities for expressive vocal performances and rhythmic phrasing, while soul draws on melody and emotional expression. Their inclusion alongside electronic dance music creates room for different approaches to vocals, rhythm and production. This combination also reflects the way contemporary South African artists often move between genres instead of remaining within strict musical categories. Rather than treating Afro-House, Gqom, hip-hop and soul as separate worlds, the single brings them together as parts of a wider creative process.

Ayxabene is also an introduction to Argento Dust’s upcoming EP, No Foot Print. Scheduled to drop on 23 October 2026, the project is expected to explore a broader range of sounds and production styles. Among the genres highlighted for the EP are 3-Step and Funk House, both of which offer opportunities to expand beyond the foundations of the new single. This direction suggests that Argento Dust is interested in exploring different rhythmic structures and dance music influences while continuing to develop his own sound. Although the full tracklist and further details about the EP have not been provided, the release of Ayxabene gives listeners an early indication of the creative direction behind the project.

The exploration of 3-Step is particularly notable as South African dance music continues to develop new rhythmic approaches. The style draws on the broader house music tradition while using a three-step rhythmic feel that distinguishes it from more familiar patterns. For producers, experimenting with 3-Step can create new possibilities for basslines, percussion and the movement of a track. Its inclusion in No Foot Print points to Argento Dust’s willingness to explore emerging sounds and consider how they can fit into his own production style. The EP could therefore offer listeners a different perspective on his musical interests, although the precise role of 3-Step across the project remains to be confirmed.

Funk House is another style Argento Dust plans to explore on No Foot Print. The genre generally combines the steady pulse of house music with funk-inspired grooves, rhythmic basslines and lively musical textures. Its emphasis on groove makes it a natural area of exploration for a producer working across different forms of dance music. Alongside the planned 3-Step influences, Funk House could help give the EP a varied sound while maintaining a connection to the dance floor. These stylistic choices indicate that Argento Dust is approaching the project as an opportunity to experiment rather than simply repeat the sound of a single release.

The upcoming EP also creates an opportunity for Argento Dust to present a more complete picture of his creative direction. A single can introduce a particular sound, but a full project gives a producer more room to explore contrasts, develop musical ideas and establish a consistent identity across several tracks. Ayxabene brings together five named artists and multiple genres, setting an ambitious tone for the release campaign. No Foot Print will give listeners a chance to discover how that collaborative approach connects with the producer’s interest in 3-Step, Funk House and other possible influences. The project’s confirmed release date of 23 October 2026 gives fans a clear date to anticipate as the rollout continues.

For Durban’s music scene, releases that connect different genres also reflect the city’s lasting influence on South African dance music. Durban has played a significant role in the development of Gqom, while its wider musical community continues to contribute to house music and other contemporary styles. Producers who draw on these traditions can acknowledge their musical roots while experimenting with sounds that appeal to audiences across the country. Argento Dust’s latest single fits into this broader environment by combining Afro-House with elements of Gqom, hip-hop and soul. The collaboration also highlights how artists with different specialities can work together to create music that crosses established genre boundaries.

Ayxabene is available now, giving listeners an opportunity to experience Argento Dust’s latest musical direction ahead of the release of No Foot Print. The single brings together Zee Nxumalo, Blxckie, Kususa and Section Five in a project shaped by Afro-House, Gqom, hip-hop and soul influences. Its release also sets the stage for an EP that will explore additional styles, including 3-Step and Funk House. With No Foot Print scheduled to arrive on 23 October 2026, Argento Dust is positioning the project as an opportunity to experiment with different sounds and expand his creative range. The single establishes the direction of this next chapter, while the upcoming EP will reveal how far he takes that approach to bringing South African music influences together.

Stream Ayxabene HERE