Read the complete write-up of Black Coffee net worth, age, wife, children, height, family, parents, songs, Albums as well as other information you need to know.
Introduction
Black Coffee is a South African DJ, record producer, singer and songwriter. He began his career around 1994 and has released nine studio albums, as well as a live DVD.
Black Coffee became prominent after participating in the 2004 Red Bull Music Academy that was held in Cape Town. In September 2015, he won the “Breakthrough DJ of the Year” award at the DJ Awards in Ibiza.
Early Life
| Name | Black Coffee |
| Net Worth | $60 million |
| Profession | DJ, Singer, Songwriter, Producer |
| Height | 1.83m |
| Age | 45 years |
Black Coffee who real name is Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo was born on 11 March 1976 (age 45 years old) in Umlazi, South Africa. He later moved to Umtata, the town 29km away to the home of Nelson Mandela Qunu village, staying at the Ngangelizwe township.
He majored in Jazz Studies at Technikon Natal, now known as the Durban University of Technology, before working as a backup singer for Madala Kunene together with then schoolmates: Mnqobi Mdabe (Shota) and Thandukwazi Sikhosana (Demor). Maphumulo, Shota and Demor later formed an Afro-pop trio called SHANA (Simply Hot and Naturally African) which was signed to Melt 2000, then headed by Robert Trunz.
Career Journey
Black Coffee was chosen as one of two South African participants in the Red Bull Music Academy in 2003, jump-starting him into the South African dance music scene. His first big break was when his song ‘Happiness’ was featured on the ‘DJs at Work’ album.
In 2005
Black Coffee launched his career with a remix of Hugh Masekela’s 1972 hit Stimela. Later that year he released his self-titled debut album, and created his record company Soulistic Music. The album sampled songs of notable South African artists like Thandiswa Mazwai, Hugh Masekela and featured Busi Mhlongo, among others. He was well received in the country and was quickly lauded as a “rising star.” His album, ‘Black Coffee’, was created using very basic music-making software. Maphumulo himself stated,
By Mid-2007
Black Coffee had become recognized in the South African DJ scene with tribal, vocal-laced beats. In the same year he released his second studio album titled Have Another One, which featured “Wathula Nje,” a remix of Victor Ntoni’s 2004 jazz ballad “Thetha”. “Wathula Nje” was later released in Europe together with “Even Though” featuring Bantu Soul through the European label Realtone Records on vinyl and on digital. The twelve-track album featured the likes of Siphokazi, Busi Mhlongo, and Kwaito sensation L’vovo. It also debuted a then 17-year-old high school producer from Eshowe Kwa Zulu Natal, Culoe De Song, who became the second artist to be signed under Soulistic Music. Maphumulo discovered and collaborated with Culoe De Song on an afro-electronic dub titled 100 Zulu warriors.
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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, Frank Roger, Charles Webster, DJ Spinna and Osunlade.
Black Coffee Albums
Home Brewed Album
Black Coffee released his third album, Home Brewed, featuring Ringo Madlingozi, Zonke, Hugh Masekela, Zakes Bantwini and others.
Between 2009 and 2010, new releases from Culoe de Song, Tumelo and Zakes Bantwini achieved gold and platinum sales.
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In 2010, he tried to make it to Guinness Book of World Records when he performed for 60 hours non-stop at Maponya Mall, Soweto. He also won two awards in the categories of Best Urban Dance Album and Best Male Artist at the 2010 South African Music Awards.
In 2011, Africa Rising was launched at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. It included a live band and 24-piece orchestra in front of an audience of about 8,000 people and was filmed for the Africa Rising DVD. That year saw four other releases including Culoe de Song’s “Elevation”, Sai & Ribatones “Here and Now,” Boddhi Satva’s “Invocation” and the label’s “Soulistic Music Cuts.”
Africa Rising Album
The “Africa Rising” DVD and triple-CD sold double platinum in a space of a month. Maphumulo featured different artists on the album, such as Bucie and soulful musician Toshi Tikolo on the song “Buya.”
In 2013, he performed internationally at locations such as Southport Weekender, Panoroma Bar, Circoloco, Boiler Room. He also participated in music conferences like ADE and RBMA in Johannesburg. That same year, he was involved in notable collaborations with musical group Mi Casa and house duo Black Motion. He also became one of the key speakers on his friend Vusi Thembekwayo’s tour. In South Africa, he was featured in November 2013 in the Destiny Man edition of Destiny.
Pieces of Me Album
He began his first world tour in January 2015 at Circoloco, Mexico and it ended in August 2015 at Circoloco at DC-10. That same year, he released his fifth album, Pieces of Me.
Pieces of Me was released in the second week of September and which was certified platinum a month after release by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RISA). It received criticism for its cover and title bearing a similarity to that of the 2011 album Pieces of Me by US singer Ledisi. Musically, the album was widely positively received, with some music critics saying that it was among the best music albums of the year. It went platinum in South Africa in October. On this album, he collaborated with Azola, Portia Monique, Ribatone, Nakhane Toure, Mondli Ngcobo, Kensy, NaakMusiq & Lungi Naidoo.
In 2016, he performed at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Ultra Music Festival. At the end of the year, he was ranked 91st on Resident Advisor’s top 100 DJs list.
In 2017, he contributed to the beat of the song “Get It Together” on Drake’s album More Life, which was released in March 2017. Read:
In 2018, he released a single where he collaborated with David Guetta that was titled “Drive” featuring Delilah Montagu. It was featured on Guetta’s album 7. At the end of that year, he released a seven-track EP titled Music Is King.
In September 2019, he released “LaLaLa” with American R&B singer Usher.
Subconsciously Album
On February 5, 2021, Black Coffee released his sixth studio album, the Subconsciously album.
Wife
Black Coffee is formerly married to actress and television presenter Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa. They had two children together and he has six children in total. In July 2019, it was reported they had divorced.
DVDs
Apart from singles and remixes, Maphumulo has released the following albums and DVDs since 2005, all under his Soulistic Music record label.
- Black Coffee (2005)
- Have Another One (2007)
- Home Brewed (2009)
- Africa Rising DVD (2012)
- Africa Rising CD (2012)
- Pieces of Me (2015)
- The Journey Continues EP (2016)
- Music is King EP (2018)
- Subconsciously (2021)
Black Coffee hand injury Story
In 1990, DJ Black Coffee was involved in a taxi accident that saw him suffer a severe injury on his left arm. the streets on that day to celebrate the release of Nelson Mandela.
Medically, the DJ suffered a brachial plexus injury. Simply, brachial plexus is a network of nerves that extend from the spinal cord through the neck to the armpit. Primarily, they are essential because they regulate the movement of muscles in the shoulder, hand, wrist, and elbow.
In some instances, the condition can be corrected. However, considering the seriousness of Black Coffee hand injury, his condition was irreparable. For this reason, he has lived the condition since childhood. At some point, he wore a brace on the hand, but he stopped because he could not take the nasty reactions of his childhood bullies.
Black Coffee net worth
How much is Black Coffee worth? Black Coffee net worth is estimated to be around $60 million dollars which is equivalent to R855 million South Africa Rands. His career success has earned him a luxurious lifestyle and some of the fancy cars: Mercedes Benz G-Wagon, CIK Mercedes Benz, DJ’s Bentley, Maserati. He also owns a private jet.