The explosion of international interest in Gqom, a pumped-up style of South African dance music with ancestry to house, has yielded increased exposure to the subgenres and individual styles of Durban’s premiere producers. Gqom Oh! — via Italy and the UK — is one of the first labels to press records of various South African house styles for European club heads. In their relatively brief existence, they’ve already given a dedicated platform to some of the genres biggest stars — like DJ Lag, Dominowe, TLC Fam — and now, Emo Kid (from Inanda, in the Etafuleni area township of Durban), with his first vinyl EP Gqomtera.
And while Emo Kid had tracks on early Gqom Oh! label compilations, the 23 year-old producer claims he intended this eight track EP to serve as a comprehensive overview of the Sgubhu sound — a “Durban journey” — adding Emo Kid’s signature flavor to the genre’s familiar, hard-hitting rhythms. The bouncy “Digital Response (feat. BlaqChild)” is an excellent introduction; full of forward momentum, the track accumulates layers slowly, adding chattering vocals, a repetitive, needly synth, and fat bass over a syncopated 4 to the floor rhythm. Pre-order Gqomter from Gqom Oh! in advance of its October 27 release date, then stream “Digital Response” and check out the album’s highly informative video trailer down below.
Gqomtera EP tracklisting:
01. Emo Kid, WorstHood, TLC Fam - Asbambeki feat. WorstHood, Resto & Ayanda (TLC Fam)
02. Futuristic Gqom
03. Insimbi Yase Dubane
04. Rains of Terror
05. Enkwarini 05:44
06. Ground Shaker
07. Digital Response feat. BlaqChild
08. Isukile feat. Mapopo
More about: Emo Kid
