Durban Gqom heavyweight Goldmax is enjoying a fast start with his latest single, “eZimbali,” after the track surpassed 100,000 plays on YouTube Music within three days of its release.
Released on 11 September 2026 through his partnership with Empire, the song has quickly grown from a short social-media teaser into one of Goldmax’s fastest-moving solo releases.
From a 15-second snippet to a viral release
Before its official arrival, “eZimbali” was already building momentum online, with Goldmax previewing the song across platforms including TikTok and Instagram Live.
The response to the snippet helped convince the producer that there was an appetite for the full record. According to Goldmax, spending much of his time in the studio means he often has unreleased material ready to go and when audiences respond strongly to a preview, he is willing to follow their lead.
“I spend most of my time in-studio producing, I have many songs and if I am live on social media and the masses show interest to a snippet I am compelled to give the people what they want,”
he said ahead of the release.
Durban July drama inspires ‘eZimbali’
The song takes its name from Zimbali, the luxury coastal destination in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, but Goldmax’s inspiration is rooted in the kind of relationship drama often associated with Durban July weekend.
He explains that the concept imagines someone discovering that their partner has somehow ended up spending the night in Zimbali despite not actually living there, turning suspicion, nightlife and luxury into a playful Gqom storyline.
The catchy chorus, “Ngithole i-Call ka-Baby, Uthi usene Flat, Use nombhede eZimbali,” has become central to the song’s online appeal.
Goldmax continues his prolific Gqom run
The rapid rise of “eZimbali” follows a particularly active period for Goldmax. The producer recently joined forces with Woza Bakzin for the collaborative album Gqom In Black, while his wider production work has included music for artists such as Solan Lo and Ornica Bellz.
According to the release, reaching 100,000 YouTube Music plays in 72 hours makes “eZimbali” his fastest-growing solo release since his 2023 debut album, AMAKETANGE.
From Distruction Boyz to a new solo chapter
Born Zipho Mthembu and hailing from KwaMashu, north of Durban, Goldmax first rose to national prominence as one half of Distruction Boyz alongside Que DJ.
The duo became important figures in Gqom’s transition from Durban’s underground scene into the South African mainstream, with their catalogue and production work helping push the genre onto national radio and major stages. Their achievements included a SAMA Best Dance Album win and a BET Award nomination for Best International Act.
Now, “eZimbali” appears to be giving Goldmax another viral moment of his own, with the release reporting thousands of reposts, dance challenges and social-media reactions around the record.
