Black Coffee a highly successful DJ, record producer and singer-songwriter whose real name is Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo. His career took off sometime between 1994 and 1995 while at the same time South Africa was going through a major transformation of its own.
Black Coffee’s first taste of success came after his involvement in the 2003 – 2004 Red Bull Music Academy held in Cape Town. From this point forward Black Coffee became unstoppable on his way to the top.
Did you know…
In 2010, Black Coffee almost was inducted in the Guinness Book of World Records when he DJed 60 hours non-stop at Maponya Mall Klipspruit, Soweto .
Thando Nkosi, marketing coordinator for Pan Macmillan which publishes the Guinness Book of Records in South Africa, said: “Unfortunately we didn’t get any news about this record attempt. This is a first for us.”
Black Coffee’s camp doesn’t deny this. They revealed that they did invite a Guinness Book of Records representative to the event but ultimately couldn’t afford the fees.
BLACK COFFEE: Background Information
Stage Name: Black Coffee
Age: 47
Birth Name: Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo
Born: 11 March 1972
Instruments: Vocals, keyboards, sampler, percussion, synthesizer
Labels: Soulistic, Ultra Music.
Genre: Soulful house, Afro House, Deep House, House Music.
Current Residency: Wynn Nightclub, Las Vegas USA, Hï Ibiza – Ibiza, Spain
Black Coffee is married to Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa Maphumulo. They have 4 children.
BLACK COFFEE: Early life
Black Coffee was born in Umlazi a township on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, located south-west of Durban. He later moved to Umtata Eastern Cape, South Africa. In 1990, after the release of Nelson Mandela on the streets of Ngangelizwe, Black Coffee suffered severe injuries in a taxi accident which left him temporarily paralysed. This incident had a major impact on his life at the time. While looking back after the accident had happened, he said,
“In the past years this day use to be quite heavy on me, still does to some extent but looking back at how far I’ve come since then I can only be grateful for how this day has shaped me to be the man that I am. 27 years later I choose to celebrate this day…also making a promise to myself to explore everything talent I have and be everything God wanted me to be when he spared my life,”
Did you know…
Black Coffee’s first taste of music was in his school. He joined the school choir.
The artist attended Technikon Natal (Durban University of Technology) where he studied Music under jazz studies while also working as a backup singer for Madala Kunene together with then school friends: Mnqobi Mdabe (Shota) and Thandukwazi Sikhosana, Maphumulo, Shota and Demor later formed an Afro-pop band/group called SHANA (Simply Hot and Naturally African) which was signed to the label Melt 2000, then headed by Robert Trunz.
Black Coffee was later chosen as one of two South African participants in the Red Bull Music Academy which he attended in 2003, firmly pinning him into the South African dance music, house music, deep house and afro house scene. His first big break was when his song “Happiness” was featured on the DJssama at Work Vol.IV (CD) album October 2004.
Finally in 2005 Black Coffee released a remix of one of the hits that Hugh Masekela achieved in 1972 called Stimela. This was huge success, and the album took him to places he had always dreamt of. Further that year the musician under Soulistic Music released his debut album. The album featured a number of musicians with the likes of Busi Mhlongo, Hugh Masekela, Thandiswa Mazwai, and many others. He produced and mastered this album using a very old computer and outdated software, under his own music label, in his office which was also his home at the time. His album Stimela was a hit and earned him an award during the 2006 MTN SAMA awards.
Black Coffee released the following albums and DVD since 2005, all under the Soulistic Music label. (singles and remixes not included)
BLACK COFFEE: Music Releases
2005–2006:
Album: Stimela
In 2005, he launched his career with a remix of Hugh Masekela’s 1972 hit called Stimela.
“I don’t know how to explain the production stages of my album because all I did was put down the basic ideas that I had, I didn’t use any MIDI controllers everything was played with a computer mouse”.
2007–2008:
Album: Have Another One
During this period Black Coffee performed at the Red Bull Music Academy Lounge at the Sonar Festival in Barcelona, alongside recognized DJs such as Little Louie Vega, Alix Alvarez, Franck Roger, Charles Webster, DJ Spinna and Osunlade.
2009–2011:
Album: Home Brewed
In 2009, Black Coffee released his third album, ‘’Home Brewed’’, featuring Ringo Madlingozi, Zonke, Hugh Masekela, Zakes Bantwini and others.
2012–2013:
Album: Africa Rising
In 2012, “Africa Rising” DVD and triple-CD sold double platinum in a space of a month.] Black Coffee featured different artists on the album “Africa Rising,” such as Bucie or the soulful musician Toshi Tikolo on the title “Buya”.
2015:
Album: Pieces of Me
After his world tour started in January 2015 at Circoloco in Mexico and ended in August 2015 at Circoloco at DC-10, he released his 5th album..
2018:
Album: Drive featuring Delilah Montagu
Released a single in collaboration with David Guetta titled “Drive” featuring Delilah Montagu. It is featured on Guetta’s album.
2018:
Album: Music Is King
The 6-track EP features Samthing Soweto, Msaki, Mlondi Ngcobo, Zhao, Mbuso Khoza and jazz maestro Nduduzo Makhathini.
The past 25 years have been exceptional for Black Coffee. Summer of 2016 was a big deal for the deep house master, who won the award for Best Deep House DJ at the Ibiza DJ Awards. In 2017 he was even bigger, having earned one of the best club residency tickets in Ibiza and continuing to open doors for all South African emerging Djs and artists such Black Motion, Culoe De Song, Da Capo and Themba, who follow in his steps. His success continued in 2018 after his award winning album Pieces of Me and his collaborations with stars with the likes of Drake, Alicia Keys, P. Diddy and Beyoncè.
Black Coffee also gets to rub shoulders with some of the best known underground superstars at the hottest nightclubs in Ibiza with the likes of Innervisions head honchos Âme (live), desert house duo Bedouin, Rumors creator Guy Gerber, Henrik Schwarz, deep tech house master Jamie Jones, Desolat label head Loco Dice and Cadenza records boss Luciano, &ME, French duo Birds of Mind, Crosstown Rebels label boss Damian Lazarus, dreamy house master Lee Burridge and Rampue amongst many others.
In 2019 Black Coffee has already won several awards and recognition world wide with sell out shows at night clubs and stadiums in more than 20 cities around the world.
(All the awards Black Coffee received since 2005)
Black Coffee: Achievements & Awards
- 2005 SAMA Best Urban Dance Album
- 2010 South African Music Awards Best Male Artist, Health Magazine Best Man
- Metro FM Award Best Produced Album, Metro FM Award for Best Dance Album
- 2010 SAMA Best Male Artist
- 2010 Health Magazine Best Man[62]
- 2010 Metro FM Award for Best Produced Album
- 2010 Metro FM Award for Best Dance Album
- 2011 Channel O Award for Most Talented Male Artist
- 2012 Sunday Times Generation NEXT Award for Coolest DJ
- 2013 SAMA Best Dance Album
- 2013 Sunday Times Generation NEXT Award For Coolest DJ 2013
- 2014 Sunday Times Generation Next Award for Coolest DJ
- 2015 DJ Awards for Breakthrough DJ Of The Year
- 2016 SAMA Best Dance Album,
- Album Of The Year Best Engineered Album International Recognition
- BET Award for Best International Act: Africa
- DJ Awards Best Deep House DJ
- 2017 DJ Awards Best Deep House DJ
- 2018 Dance Music Awards South Africa Best International Producer,
- Best International DJ
- 2019 Best International DJ Set award at the 2019 What’s On Nightlife Awards at Barasti
- Beach Clubbing TV award for the Best Deep House Music Video
Black Coffee has achieved enormous success and wealth with his craft, a far cry from where he came from and how he made his first track back in 2005 with old equipment. He has an amazing family that supports his career 100%. His popularity and mixing style with filters and effects has sparked a trend in upcoming Djs and artist all over South Africa.
The artist overcame many obstacles in his career but with passion, hard work and dedication he managed to succeed. He has inspired many people and in some ways he brings hope and happiness to many.
Want to see more of Black Coffee. Follow him on social media.
http://www.twitter.com/realblackcoffee
http://www.facebook.com/realblackcoffee
http://www.instagram.com/realblackcoffee
Learn more on Black Coffee
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Coffee_(DJ)
http://www.blackcoffee.dj/
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Download Latest House Music
Black Coffee & David Guetta – Drive (feat. Delilah Montagu) [Remixes] EP
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Black Coffee -Music Is King EP
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