Babes Wodumo embarks on a new stage of her artistic career with Ngakuthanda Kakhulu, a song that is both intensely personal and universally relatable. Renowned as the “Queen of Gqom,” Babes has consistently excelled with intense, fast-paced rhythms, but here she tempers the pace to incorporate more emotional depth and narrative into her music. The title, which translates to “I loved you so much,” establishes the tone for a track that delves into themes of love, yearning, and exposure.

Babes Wodumo has recently appeared on Amagangangozi alongside Ba Bethe Gashoazen and Maphara.

It is the blend of her unique gqom style with softer, almost Afro-soul undertones that makes the track special. The production is based on consistent percussion and deep, funk-inspired synthesizers, with space given for vocals to take centre stage. Ushuni Wasemzini’s contribution is vital – his sincere delivery provides balance, anchoring the track in emotional authenticity as Babes contributes the energy and swagger.

Musically, it’s more about demonstrating depth than asserting aggressive party dominance, thereby indicating that Babes Wodumo is not limited to one specific sound. This release also serves as a significant cultural marker: following years of being identified mainly for high-energy hits, it showcases that she can transition and convey personal narratives without compromising the boldness that contributed to her iconic status.

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