Black Coffee (DJ)

In 2005, he launched his career with a remix of Hugh Masekela's 1972 hit Stimela.[15] Later that year he released his self-titled debut album,[14] and created his company.[16] The album featured collaborations with the likes of Thandiswa Mazwai, Hugh Masekela, Busi Mhlongo amongst a few.[17] "Black Coffee" was well received in the SADC region.[18] His album, "Black Coffee" was created using very basic music-making software. "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".[19]

By 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[20] " 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 a European label Realtone Records on vinyl[21] and digitally. The twelve-track album featured the likes of Siphokazi, Busi Mhlongo, and kwaito sensation L'vovo to mention a few, it also introduced 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.[22] Black Coffee discovered and collaborated with Culoe De Song on an afro-electronic dub titled 100 Zulu warriors.[23][24]

During this period Black Coffee performed at the Red Bull Music Academy Lounge at the Sonar Festival in Barcelona,[25] alongside recognized DJs such as Little Louie Vega, Alix Alvarez, Franck Roger, Charles Webster, DJ Spinna and Osunlade.[26]

In 2009, Black Coffee released his third album, ‘’Home Brewed’’, featuring Ringo Madlingozi, Zonke, Hugh Masekela, Zakes Bantwini and others.[27]

Between 2009 and 2010, new releases from Culoe de Song,[28] Tumelo[29] and the great Zakes Bantwini achieved gold and platinum sales.[30]

In 2010, Black Coffee was inducted in the Guinness Book of World Records when he DJed 60 hours non-stop at Maponya Mall.[31] He also won two awards in the categories Best Urban Dance Album and Best Male Artist at the South African Music Awards 2010.[32][33]

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 8,000 and was filmed for the Africa Rising DVD.,[6] 2011 saw four other releases including Culoe de Song's "Elevation",[34] Sai & Ribatones "Here and Now[35] ", Boddhi Satva's "Invocation[36] " and the label's "Soulistic Music Cuts".[37]

In 2012, "Africa Rising" DVD and triple-CD sold double platinum in a space of a month.[38] Black Coffee featured different artists on the album "Africa Rising," such as Bucie or the soulful musician Toshi Tikolo on the title "Buya".[39]

In 2013, he performed globally at locations such as Southport Weekender,[40] Panoroma Bar,[41] Circoloco,[42] Boiler Room.[43] He participated in music conferences like ADE[44] and RBMA in Johannesburg.[45] Amongst a few 2013 notable collaborations are with Mi Casa[46] and Black Motion.[47] He also became one of the key speakers on his friend Vusi Thembekwayo's tour.[48] He was featured in numerous publications . In South Africa, he was featured in November 2013 in the Destiny Man edition of Destiny (magazine).[49]

After his world tour started in January 2015 at Circoloco in Mexico[50] and ended in August 2015 at Circoloco at DC-10,[51] he released his fifth album, Pieces of Me.[52]

Pieces of Me was released in the second week of September. 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 got positive response, going platinum in South Africa in October.[53] On this album Black Coffee worked with Azola, Portia Monique, Ribatone, Nakhane Toure, Mondli Ngcobo, Kensy, NaakMusiq & Lungi Naidoo.

In 2016, he performed at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival[54] and Ultra Music Festival.[55][56]

At the end of 2016 he was named 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 released in March 2017.

In 2018, he released a single in collaboration with David Guetta titled "Drive" featuring Delilah Montagu.[57] It is featured on Guetta's album 7.[58]

End of 2018, he released a seven-track EP titled Music Is King.[59]

In September 2019, Black Coffee released "LaLaLa" with American R&B singer Usher.[60]