03 Oct 25
Black Coffee
Black Coffee (Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo), born March 11, 1976 in Durban, South Africa, is a globally acclaimed DJ, producer, and visionary in electronic music. His signature sound fuses African rhythms, jazz, and house, drawing from his country’s rich heritage and refined through jazz studies and years of innovation.
He first gained international attention at the 2003 Red Bull Music Academy, followed by his debut album Black Coffee (2005). Tracks like Superman—later reimagined with Drake—helped cement his rise. Since then, he’s headlined major festivals and venues worldwide, collaborating with artists such as Alicia Keys, Pharrell Williams, and Usher. A career milestone came in 2023 with his sold-out Madison Square Garden show featuring a 12-piece orchestra and 360° stage.
Beyond music, Black Coffee champions education and empowerment through his foundation and is building a music school in South Africa. His achievements include a Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album (2022)—the first for a South African artist—plus multiple DJ Mag, SAMA, BET, and DJ Awards. He also explores fashion, interior design, and entrepreneurship, collaborating with Amiri, Off-White, and launching his own Yawa Streetwear brand.
Despite global success, he remains deeply rooted in South Africa, using his platform to inspire and push boundaries across music, design, and culture.
