Black Coffee is a South African DJ, record producer and songwriter who has gained international recognition for his unique take on house music.
He is considered a pioneer of the Afro-house genre, which blends 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 like David Guetta, Usher, Alicia Keys and Drake.
He is also the founder of Soulistic Music, a record label that promotes emerging talents from the African continent.
Table of Contents
Profile
- Full name: Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo
- Nickname: Black Coffee
- Date of birth: 11 March 1976
- -Age: 47 years old
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Durban, South Africa
- Nationality: South African
- Profession: DJ, record producer and songwriter
- 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
Early Life & Education
Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo, popularly known and addressed as Black Coffee, is currently 47 years old and was born on 11 March 1976 in Durban, South Africa.
He grew up in the Eastern Cape Town region, where his mother, Faith Dandala, raised him alone after parting ways with his father.
When he was eight years old, he moved to Umtata, the town 29 km away from Nelson Mandela‘s home. He lived in a house that lacked essentials like running water and toilets.
He helped his grandmother milk her cows and was part of his cousin’s sound system crew for parties.
At an early age, he developed a passion for music and was influenced by artists like Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye and Prince.
When he was 13 years old, he was involved in a car accident that left him with a brachial plexus injury, resulting in him losing the use of his left arm.
He did not let this disability stop him from pursuing his dreams, and he learned to play the keyboard with one hand. He attended the Technikon Natal, now known as the Durban University of Technology, where he majored in Jazz Studies. After two years, he dropped out of the course 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 ceremony 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 several women, including model Alexandra Cane and influencer Sarah Langa, but he has not confirmed any of these relationships.
Controversy
Black Coffee has faced some controversy in his personal and professional life.
He has been 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 has also been accused of abusing Mbali physically and emotionally, which he has denied. He has also been 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 views and affiliations. He has been accused of being a supporter of the ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), and of being 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 the oppressed in South Africa, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also been accused of being arrogant and rude to his fans and fellow artists.
Advocacy
Black Coffee is a philanthropist who supports various causes, such as education, health and social development.
He has established the Black Coffee Foundation, which provides scholarships and bursaries to underprivileged students.
He has 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 for African unity and empowerment and has spoken at events like the World Economic Forum and the Obama Foundation Summit.
Career
Black Coffee launched his career in 2005 with a remix of Hugh Masekela’s 1972 hit, Stimela.
He also released his self-titled debut album, which featured samples of songs by notable South African artists like Thandiswa Mazwai, Hugh Masekela and Busi Mhlongo.
He created his record label, Soulistic Music, which signed artists like Culoe De Song, Tumelo and Zakes Bantwini. He gained popularity in the South African dance music scene and won his first South African Music Award (SAMA) for Best Dance Album in 2006.
He rose to international fame after participating in the 2004 Red Bull Music Academy in Cape Town, where he met and networked with other DJs and producers worldwide.
He started touring globally and performing 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 SAMAs for Best Urban Dance Album and Best Male Artist.
In 2012, he released his fourth album, Africa Rising, recorded live at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban with a 24-piece orchestra and guest artists. The album was a huge success and sold over 100,000 copies, making it a platinum seller.
He also released a DVD of the concert, which won him a SAMA for Best Live DVD and a Metro FM Award for Best Dance Album. At the DJ Awards in Ibiza, he also received his first international award, the Breakthrough DJ of the Year.
In 2015, he released his fifth album, Pieces of Me, which featured vocals from Nakhane Touré, Portia Monique and Mque. The album was a hit and spawned the singles We Dance Again, Come With Me and Your Eyes.
He won two more SAMAs for Album of the Year and Best Dance Album. He also made history by becoming the first South African to win a Grammy Award for his remix of Beyoncé’s Drunk in Love, featured on her platinum edition album.
In 2016, he released his sixth album, The Journey Continues, which included the smash hit Superman, featuring 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 playlist More Life, which featured Black Coffee’s song Get It Together, with vocals from Jorja Smith. He also signed a deal with Ultra Music, a global music company that distributes his music to the rest of the world.
In 2018, he released his seventh album, Music Is King, which featured collaborations with David Guetta, Usher, Msaki and Samthing Soweto. The album was well received, winning him a SAMA 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, Subconsciously, which featured collaborations with Pharrell Williams, Sabrina Claudio, Diplo and RY X.
The album was a fusion 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 celebrated 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 Worth
Black Coffee is one of the world’s richest and most successful DJs. According to Forbes, he has an estimated net worth of $60 million.
He earns money from music sales, streaming royalties, touring, endorsements and investments.
Social Media
- Instagram handle: @Realblackcoffee
- Twitter handle: @Realblackcoffee
Discography
- Drive
- Superman
- Deep In The Bottom
- You Need Me
- The Rapture