Amid the often gloomy headlines from Africa, today we bring you a positive story about music from Gabon. While Nigerian Afrobeat and South African Amapiano have made waves globally, another genre from Africa is emerging: Gabon’s Shum music. Born in the prisons of Gabon, Shum is gaining popularity in the central African nation. Let’s explore this unique sound.

From topping global charts to viral hits, African music is making a mark worldwide. The Grammys even created a new category for African music this year. While genres like Afrobeats and Amapiano are widely known, others, like Gabon’s Shum, are waiting to be discovered. Shum, a music style that originated in Gabonese prisons, is now capturing the hearts of the country’s youth.

Shum, a slang term for “brawl,” reflects the violence and struggles in working-class neighborhoods, including themes of robbery and assault. The genre began with dance and later incorporated music, inspired by rap, Afrobeats, and traditional Central African tunes. Today, Shum is immensely popular among Gabon’s youth, with some artists achieving millions of views.

The evolution of Shum from prison yards to mainstream streets is intriguing. The word “shum” means to fight, symbolizing the struggle for freedom, often represented by clenched fists in dances. Despite its tough beginnings, Shum incorporates unique instruments like zithers, flutes, and brass. Artists use slang in their lyrics, reflecting the language of Gabon’s ghettos. Those who have experienced prison life aim to challenge societal prejudices through their music.

“We touch on what we see in our daily life. Even though people have bad impressions of it, we talk about what we see,” one artist explained. In a short time, some Shum songs have garnered hundreds of thousands of views, inspiring artists to dream bigger.

“I’d love to see Shum music reach outside Gabon because our music is well-loved at home. It needs to be discovered in new countries, new horizons. That truly is my goal—to take the music to different parts of the world,” expressed an ambitious Shum artist.

Social media has significantly boosted African music, with viral trends on TikTok, Instagram reels, and streams on Spotify helping to amplify artists’ careers. Shum artists are also leveraging these platforms, hoping each new release will become the next viral hit.

Gabon’s Shum music, rooted in harsh realities but blooming with artistic expression, showcases the resilience and creativity of its artists. As they aim to bring their unique sound to the world stage, they add a rich layer to the diverse and dynamic world of African music that continues to captivate audiences globally.