Distruction Boyz enjoyed a brief flash in the pan with hits like Omunye, which sparked many social media challenges and burnt its way into the minds of all who heard it as a quintessential ear worm.
The duo died out shortly. Goldmax put this to the side and years later, he is still doing what he can to fly the flag of gqom as high as he can.
Zipho Mthembu, better known as Goldmax, is a 20 something year old - he prefers to keep his age to himself - who was born and bred in Durban, Kwamashu and has been making music since he was in primary school and went professional in high school when his friends started encouraging him to take music seriously.
The consensus on the block is that Distruction Boyz split and went their separate ways, but this is not the case.
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“Distruction Boyz has not split but we have decided to try out solo paths for now as we have achieved what many can only dream achieving at our age. Brothers can never split as they are bound by love and a common cause in music,” Goldmax explains tenderly.
Brushing the confusions to the side, he lets us in on what he has been doing to keep the party energy of Durban alive.
“I have been keeping Durban dance floors warm since this long cold winter started. People must checkout my new music on digital platforms, I have a chart topping single titled Imali featuring Sykes and Worstbehaviour which can be found on my latest album named Amaketanga which is also available across digital stores.”
He and his partner Que are still on good terms, but it must’ve felt a little different when Goldmax stepped into the studio without his longtime collaborator.
“Well, I’m a producer first and foremost, I can make music anywhere, anytime and with anyone. I always focus on delivering the ideas I have in studio so as to make sur that my fans are happy.”
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He still loses himself when performing and this remains his favourite part of creating music and something he would find it hard to do without.
“I love connecting with the Gold Squad, like Beyonce’s Bey hive I have come to appreciate my day one fans and new fans. I’m grateful for the talent God has bestowed on me and I’m forever appreciative of the support I get, from KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape and Gauteng.”
He takes preparations for this quite seriously to ensure people who pay good money to see him don’t leave feeling cheated or robbed.
“This thing comes naturally to me, and believe it or not, I don’t have to prepare as the music I’m making speaks for itself, people are the ones who actually perform the songs more than I do so the energy is always super great.
“I’m inspired by my fans, I learn the way they speak, dress and what they eat, and from there I translate all the above into a beat and song. That is why the music always resonates with them.”
Some of the highest moments in his career were enjoyed on stage in front of a large audience.
“Every performance is a memorable one to me, but I recently performed in Cape Town and I was astounded by the support gqom still receives in those parts and especially Eastern Cape. This tells me that gqom is alive and will forever be a genre that is dear to most in South Africa.”
He takes being from Durban almost as seriously as his efficacy on stage and this is what he claims to be the only inspiration he needs for his music and needles to say, you can’t tell him anything about amapiano being better than gqom, he isn’t even trying to hear that.
"Been in Durban is enough inspiration, I stay in the warmest city to be, and we have a lovely warm welcoming culture and that is enough to keep me motivated and inspired. But I Stay on the job, keep on keeping on and things happen."
He is hard at work on a new material which will serve as the follow up to his first solo stabbing which is performing well so far, and he is amped to churn out more hits with each offering.
“I’m in the process of organizing my Home Coming One Man Show in my hometown of Kwamashu, where I want to celebrate my achievements with my people. Look out for more music and support all the events I’m booked at and if not tell your hot spot owner to call the boy.”
