South African Gqom heavyweight DJ Lag has officially released his highly anticipated 12-track Southside Mixtape, which landed on 14 November. The project arrives as a bold statement of intent, reinforcing Lag’s status as one of the genre’s most influential pioneers while pushing Gqom into new global territories.
‘Ngyasindelwa’ Emerges as a Viral Gqom Anthem
Leading the mixtape is its opening track, ‘Ngyasindelwa’ featuring Zee Nxumalo and K.C Driller — a song that has rapidly become an online phenomenon. With over 1 million streams and more than 40,000 TikTok videos created using the sound, the track has firmly positioned itself as the unofficial soundtrack of the South African Dezemba.
Zee Nxumalo on the Energy Behind the Record
Speaking on the success of the track, Zee Nxumalo shared her excitement about returning to the Gqom space:
“I had fun working with Lag, besimnandi ukusebenza naye, and I love the fact that it’s gqom. It’s also been about a year since I had a gqom hit. We definitely must show up more for the song, siyixhase kakhulu futhi siyinike uthando oluyifanele.”
Her performance on the track has been widely praised for its confidence and attitude, helping elevate the song’s infectious energy.
TikTok Co-Signs Drive Cultural Momentum
‘Ngyasindelwa’ has received major traction on TikTok, with high-profile dancers and creators jumping on the sound. Stars such as Kamo Mphela, Dominic Zaca, and influential creators including Kamo WW and Sphokuhle have amplified the track’s reach, introducing it to millions of followers and further fueling its viral momentum.
Critical Acclaim and a Strong Opening Statement
The mixtape has also earned praise from critics. The Sunday Times highlighted the opening track’s impact, noting:
“The album’s opener, NgyaSindelwa, sets the tone emphatically. It’s a pulsating track, full of drum beats as heavenly as the song’s title. Multi-platinum pop singer Zee Nxumalo rides over the rhythm with intuitive ease.”
A Globally Connected Gqom Offering
Southside Mixtape showcases DJ Lag’s ability to merge local authenticity with international appeal. The project features global collaborators such as Ape Drums of Major Lazer on ‘GQTECH’, alongside South African standouts including K.C Driller, Vigro Deep, Sir Trill, Sykes, and Argento Dust.
DJ Lag on Choosing the Perfect Collaborators
Reflecting on the creative process behind ‘Ngyasindelwa’, DJ Lag said:
“I wanted Zee on this song, no one else would make sense. She brought so much attitude to the song and her energy takes everything to the next level. KC Driller is back — we work so well together. From Hade Boss last December to NgyaSindelwa this December, we just want people dancing through festive, and they’ve already started.”
Gqom’s December Soundtrack Has Arrived
With Southside Mixtape, DJ Lag once again proves that Gqom remains a dominant force in South African dance culture. As the festive season heats up, ‘Ngyasindelwa’ stands tall as a defining anthem — loud, rhythmic, and impossible to ignore.
Listen to ‘Ngyasindelwa’: https://Platoon.lnk.to/southside-mixtape
