DJ Lag Drops ‘Southside’ Mixtape and Talks Gqom Evolution

South Africa’s very own Gqom pioneer DJ Lag is back with a powerful new era, marking one of his most defining returns yet. The internationally celebrated DJ and producer has finally released Southside, a bold and energetic 12-track mixtape that shows exactly why he remains the undisputed King of Gqom. Released through Black Major x Ice Drop, the project captures DJ Lag’s signature Durban-rooted rhythm while introducing fresh blends that reflect the changing landscape of South African dance music.

Southside is more than a mixtape — it’s a celebration of home, growth, and creativity. DJ Lag pushes the boundaries of electronic music by mixing Gqom with 3Step, Afro-Tech, and Afrohouse, bringing a new dimension to the genre while staying deeply connected to his origins. The mixtape also includes standout collaborations with major names such as DJ Maphorisa, Vigro Deep, Sir Trill, Ape Drums, and Jay Music, each adding their own flavour to Lag’s unmistakable sound.

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In an exclusive interview with OK Mzansi Magazine, DJ Lag opened up about the ideas behind the mixtape, the process of shaping its unique sound, and how this body of work represents his growth both personally and professionally.

1. Southside marks your return with a powerful new sound — what inspired the concept behind this mixtape?

The mixtape has all the South African sounds. It is not just focused on GQOM. There is 3Step, Afro-Tech and GQOM all together. I wanted it to reflect everything that is happening here right now.
 With Southside, I wanted to celebrate where I’m from and show how far the sound has come. It’s for the people who’ve been part of this journey since the beginning, and for everyone discovering Gqom for the first time.

2. You’ve always been known as the “Gqom King.” How does Southside evolve or redefine your relationship with Gqom music?

I wanted that old GQOM feeling again, so I brought back the vocal chants we used to shout. Things like Wololo and even referencing Wawawwa. That energy is what made GQOM special for me.

3. The mixtape features collaborations with DJ Maphorisa, Vigro Deep, Sir Trill, Ape Drums, and Jay Music. How did these collaborations come about, and what was it like merging different creative energies?

For me it always starts with the relationship before we touch the music. Everyone on the project is someone close to me, so working together comes naturally.

4. You’ve described this project as “pushing Gqom into bold new territory.” Can you expand on what that means sonically and creatively?

Sonically, I mixed all the different SA sounds and pulled them into the GQOM world. It is a blend of Amapiano, Afrohouse and 3Step with my GQOM kicks. Creatively, GQOM has its own culture and style, and Amapiano does too. When you put them together, you get that South African creative culture that comes through in music, style and the way we move.

5. ‘WaWaWa’ is the next single leading up to the mixtape — what’s the story or feeling behind that track?

Having Thobeka around brought back the chants we used to say in clubs, at house parties and even during pens down at school. It gave the project that old feeling again.

6. How does Southside reflect where you are right now, both personally and professionally?

On a personal level, this project helped me open up to working with sounds outside of GQOM. I am not afraid to explore or try different features now. Professionally, working with artists from Amapiano, Afrohouse and 3Step opened more doors for me both locally and globally. More people are discovering what I do.

7. Gqom has influenced global dance floors for years. What do you think keeps the genre relevant and exciting internationally?

GQOM is underground and raw. It sits close to techno in a lot of ways. That is why it connects so well overseas. The underground clubs and festival stages love that kind of energy.

8. What message or mood do you hope listeners take away when they experience the full Southside mixtape?

The goal was to put together a full body of South African sounds in one place.

9. How do you approach balancing experimentation with staying true to your roots in Durban’s Gqom scene?

I experiment a lot, but I always keep my signature Durban GQOM sound. No matter what I add, that is the base.

10. With the mixtape dropping on November 14, what can fans expect next — visuals, a tour, or international collaborations on the horizon?

The mixtape is out now. I have an African tour in December. There are more visuals on the way, more festival moments and more music videos from the project.