Black Coffee is a South African DJ, record producer and musician who has gained international recognition for his unique house music genre.
He is considered a pioneer of the Afro-house genre, blending African rhythms and sounds with electronic beats.
He has won several awards, including a Grammy for his remix of Beyoncé’s Drunk in Love, and has collaborated with artists such as David Guetta, Usher, Alicia Keys and Drake.
He is also the founder of Soulistic Music, a record label promoting emerging talent from the African continent.
File
- Full name: Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo
- Nickname: Black coffee
- Date of birth: March 11, 1976
- -Age: 47 years old
- male
- Place of birth: Durban, South Africa
- Nationality: South African
- Occupation: DJ, record producer and musician
- Height: 1.8 m
- Parents: Faith Dandala (mother)
- Siblings: Lungi Maphumulo, Amanda Dandala, Siyanda Maphumulo
- Spouse: Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa (ex-wife)
- Children: Esona, Anesu, Lilitha and Asante
- Relationship status: single
- Net worth: 60 million USD
Early Life & Education
Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo, popularly known as Black Coffee, is currently 47 years old and was born on March 11, 1976 in Durban, South Africa.
He grew up in Eastern Cape Town, where his mother, Faith Dandala, raised him alone after separating from his father.
When he was 8 years old, he moved to Umtata, a town 29 km from Nelson Mandela’s home. He lives in a house that lacks essentials such as running water and a toilet.
He helped his grandmother milk cows and was part of his cousin’s sound system team for parties.
From an early age, he developed a passion for music and was influenced by artists such as Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye and Prince.
At age 13, he was in a car accident that left him with a brachial plexus injury, causing him to lose the use of his left arm.
He did not let this disability stop him from pursuing his dream and he learned to play the piano with one hand. He attended Technikon Natal, now known as Durban University of Technology, where he majored in Jazz Studies. After two years, he dropped out of school to focus on his music career.
Personal life
Black Coffee married TV presenter and actress Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa on 13 May 2011. They had a traditional wedding in Soweto and a white wedding in Mauritius.
They have two sons, Anesu and Asante. From a previous relationship, Black Coffee also has two daughters, Lilitha and Esona.
He and Mbali separated in 2019 after allegations of infidelity and abuse surfaced. They finalized their divorce in 2020.
Black Coffee has since been linked to a number of women, including model Alexandra Cane and influencer Sarah Langa, but he has not confirmed any of these relationships.
Argumentative
Black Coffee has faced several controversies in his personal and professional life.
He was accused of cheating on his ex-wife, Mbali, with several women, including his former manager, Amaru Da Costa, and his current girlfriend, Sarah Langa.
He was also accused of physically and mentally abusing Mbali, which he denied. He was also involved in a legal battle with his ex-wife over their divorce settlement and custody of their children.
Black Coffee has also been criticized for his political and partisan views. He is accused of being a supporter of the ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) and close to former president Jacob Zuma, who is facing corruption charges.
He has also been accused of being insensitive to the plight of the poor and oppressed in South Africa, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He was also accused of being arrogant and rude to fans and fellow artists.
Motor
Black Coffee is a philanthropist that supports various causes, such as education, health and social development.
He established the Black Coffee Foundation to provide scholarships and grants to disadvantaged students.
He also donated money and equipment to schools and hospitals in his hometown. He is an ambassador for the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Global Citizen Festival.
He is a vocal advocate of African solidarity and empowerment and has spoken at events such as the World Economic Forum and the Obama Foundation Summit.
Career
Black Coffee began his career in 2005 with a remix of Hugh Masekela’s 1972 hit, Stimela.
He also released his self-titled debut album, which featured song samples from famous South African artists such as Thandiswa Mazwai, Hugh Masekela and Busi Mhlongo.
He founded his record label, Soulistic Music, which has signed artists such as Culoe De Song, Tumelo and Zakes Bantwini. He became famous in the South African dance music scene and won the first South African Music Award (SAMA) for Best Dance Album in 2006.
He became internationally famous after attending the Red Bull Music Academy in 2004 in Cape Town, where he met and connected with other DJs and producers worldwide.
He began touring globally and performed at festivals and clubs in Europe, America and Asia. He released his second album, Have Another One, in 2007, which earned him another SAMA for Best Dance Album.
He followed this with his third album, Home Brewed, in 2009, which featured collaborations with Bucie, Zonke and Ringo Madlingozi. He won two more SAMA Awards for Best Urban Dance Album and Best Male Artist.
In 2012, he released his fourth album, Africa Rising, recorded live at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban with a 24-piece orchestra and guest musicians. The album was a huge success and sold over 100,000 copies, becoming a platinum-selling album.
He also released a DVD of the concert, which won him the SAMA Award for Best Live DVD and the Metro FM Award for Best Dance Album. At the DJ Awards in Ibiza, he also received his first international award, Breakthrough DJ of the Year.
In 2015, he released his fifth album, Pieces of Me, featuring Nakhane Touré, Portia Monique and Mque. The album was successful and spawned the singles We Dance Again, Come With Me and Your Eyes.
He also won two more SAMA awards for Album of the Year and Best Dance Music Album. He also made history by becoming the first South African to win a Grammy for his remix of Beyoncé’s Drunk in Love, which was included on her platinum edition album.
In 2016, he released his sixth album, The Journey Continues, which included the hit Superman, collaborating with Bucie.
He also collaborated with Alicia Keys on her song In Common, which he remixed and performed with her at the BET Awards.
He also worked with Drake on his More Life playlist, which featured the song Get It Together by Black Coffee, featuring vocals from Jorja Smith. He also signed a deal with Ultra Music, a global music company dedicated to distributing his music to the rest of the world.
In 2018, he released his seventh album, Music Is King, featuring collaborations with David Guetta, Usher, Msaki and Samthing Soweto. The album was well received, winning him a SAMA Award for Best Engineered Album.
He also performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, becoming the first South African to do so. He also headlined the Global Citizen Festival in Johannesburg alongside Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Ed Sheeran and Pharrell Williams.
In 2020, he released his eighth album, Subconscious, featuring collaborations with Pharrell Williams, Sabrina Claudio, Diplo and RY X.
The album is a combination of different genres, such as pop, R&B, hip hop and soul. He also launched his radio show on Apple Music, Black Coffee Radio, showcasing his music and interviewing other artists.
In 2021, he released his ninth album, SBCNCSLY, which featured collaborations with Cassie, Kelly Rowland, Jaden Smith and Burna Boy.
The album celebrates his 15 years in the music industry and is a tribute to his fans. He also performed at the Rocking the Daisy Festival in Cape Town, sharing the stage with Stormzy, Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat.
Net value
Black Coffee is one of the richest and most successful DJs in the world. According to Forbes, his estimated net worth is $60 million.
He makes money from music sales, streaming royalties, touring, endorsements, and investments.
Social Media
- Instagram handle: @Realblackcoffee
- Twitter name: @Realblackcoffee
CD
- Drive
- Superman
- deep in the bottom
- You need me
- Happiness
