Nkosinathi Maphumulo A.K.A Blackcoffee

DJ NAME : Blackcoffee ORIGINAL NAME : Nkosinathi Maphumulo ORIGIN : Durban PRESENT RESIDENCY :The world STYLE : Deep/Afro House; Soulful Lounge; Broken beat & Anything Soulful BIOGRAPHY : BlackCoffee began his DJ career back in 1994 while still in High School. He started by playing in the events, playing for free. While studying Music in Natal Technikon, he quietly developed his skill and searched KZN and Gauteng for the hottest music. He was busy doing this in conjunction with his band/music career. BlackCoffee belongs to a music group called SHANA that has grown from strength to strength in the past years…they have four CD’s under their name. He is juggling both professions, being a DJ and being a full-time musician. In 2001 when he decided to leave his home ground and join the buzz of Gauteng, he was offered an opportunity to freelance for various clubs and promoters until securing a residency at Voodoo Lounge nightclub-the most happening club of it’s time. He was chosen as one of two South African participants in the Red Bull Music Academy in 2003 which jumpstarted him into the South African DJ scene. Early 2004 BlackCoffee was tracked down by SAB Miller local promoters and MO’s Lounge owner and soon became resident for him at his Mo’s Lounge club in Norwood. In 2002/3, he was given the prime weekend dance slot on Umhlobo Wenene (Saturday’s 8-10). To date, this has been the show featuring the most international DJ’s on South African radio. He has featured since at various clubs- Club 115, Tilt (Durban), Club Hear (Port Elizabeth), Who Zoo, Pop Art (Durban), Carnalita, Voodoo Lounge (Cape Town), Times 4, Sutra (Cape Town) etc. However, BlackCoffee’s talent has taken him over the lines into the scene making him a DJ and a producer that has put together a compilation CD. The CD was released end of September 2005 and since then it has been rocking the SA dance floors like storm, there was indeed a lot of hype around the cd making 2006 a memorable year for Blackcoffee. He scooped a SAMA Award for best dance album and was chosen in 2006 and currently in 2007 to represent SA at the redbull academy in Barcelona. From JHB to Durban and everywhere between, BlackCoffee has been there and rocked the masses. He also releases Dj Kabila under his company soulistic music and he is done remixes for Thandiswa, Busi Mhlongo, Joyous celebration and other artists. He has played and will be playing in some of the biggest gigs such as Red Bull Music Academy Concert-2003 (www.redbullmusicacademy.co.za),He is been part of the SA Music Conference for three conservative years (2005.2006 and 2007) (www.samc.co.za) – which took place on the 31 March – 08 April 2007. He did a remixing session at the South African music conference, teaching 1 000 delegates skills on how to be the best remixer. BlackCoffee has played alongside the cream of local and International DJ’s including Christos, Oskido, Little Louie Vega, Alix Alvares, Franck Roger, Mr V, Vinny DA Vinci, Charles Webster, DJ Spinna, Osunlade, Quentin Harris Fresh, Monde, Jeff K, Glen Lewis, Durban’s Finest, Oscar, Mimi Kesaris, Ganyani, T-Bose, Ready D, Mbuso - another list that goes on and on. BlackCoffee has also been hard at work in the studio and just released his second album "Have another one" and is surely to reach gold status.

Stars of mzansi

Wow, the first month of the year is almost over and it's only now that I'm getting a topic I'm excited enough to write about. AWARDS, CELEBRITIES, AWARDS, MZANSI....it don't get better than THAT!

Alright South Africa, we have been forwarded the list of the first ever Stars Of Mzansi Awards, which aims to highlight the creme de la creme in South Africa’s Egoliwood.
One thing you’ll notice on the list is that its full of SABC actors and DJs, and our sources tell us that Primedia and E-TV wants to pull out their stars out of the awards.
The Awards will be held at the State Theatre, Pretoria on the 29th of February. They will be brodcast live on SABC 20h30.Here’s the list:

Mzansi Sports Star
Bryan Habana,Makhaya Ntini,Teko Modise and Benni McCarthy

Mzansi Star Actress
Nthati Moshesh,Brenda Ngxoli,Ashley Callie and Lucia Mthiyane

Mzansi Star Actor
Menzi Ngubane,Robert Whitehead,Sello Maake Ka Ncube and Zane Meas

Mzansi Club DJ Star
Tira,Roger Goode,DJ Fistaz and Ryan Dent

Mzansi Star TV Presenter
Nicky Greenwall,Jeannie D,Kabelo Ngakane and Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu

Mzansi Star Comedian
David Kau,Loyiso Gola, Marc Lottering and Krijay Govender
Mzansi Star Fashion
David Tlale,Asanda Madyibi,Marianne Fassler and Gavin Rajah

Mzansi Star Radio
Breakfast With Thomas on Metro FM,The Rude Awakening With Jeremy Mansfield,Ezasekseni Breakfast Show with DJ Sbu and Gareth Cliff - 5FM Mornings
Mzansi Star TV Show
Isidingo,Generations,Carte Blanche and Zola 7
Mzansi Star Music
Hip Hop Pantsula,Karen Zoid,Freshlyground and Lira

Derby tickets are already sold out

Amakhosi Vs Bucks

Tickets for the Soweto Derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs that is to be played at the Absa Stadium in Durban on Saturday have been sold out.Bucs communications manager Mickey Modisane has confirmed that the no more tickets are available for the showpiece event and warned those fans who do not have tickets not come near the stadium as they have stringent security measures in place.More than 3 000 international dignitaries are expected in the Natal coastal resort city and the Bucs v Amakhosi game is to be televised worldwide.“We want to appeal to those fans that failed to get tickets to stay at home and watch the game on TV. The good news for fans in Kwazulu Natal is that the provincial government has set up big screens in designated areas where the game will be shown live,” Modisane adds.“This game will not only involve the pride for the two teams but will be an advert to soccer fans around the world that South Africa has the capability to host the 2010 World Cup.”Modisane’s appeal for discipline among the fans has been supported by both clubs’ No 1 supporters, Saddam Maake and Mzion Mofokeng who also urged supporters to arrive early to the stadium.“Both Pirates and Chiefs will be the country’s ambassadors on Saturday and our plea to supporters is respect the outcome of the result. Let us go out there and show the world that we are passionate about our football and blow those vuvuzelas.”

TSHISA LOVE???

I'm wondering....Sunday Sun reported about Bongani & Mbali taking their on screen relationship off screen....Mbali Mlotshwa Bongani MasondoManaka Ranaka Ntuthuko Mdletshe.Sunday World had the same thing but their story was about Manaka and her on screen live in lover, Ntuthuko.So, is it a coincidence or were things really hott in Tshisa??? Hayi mina I don't know what to believe anymore...actually I give up. Anyway ke, they went as far as saying that Ntuthuko is the father of Manaka's baby but Manaka is even denying ukuthi she's preggers....wow, she certainly has gained a lotta weight on the tummy area then.

Sonia Mbele

The way that Sonia Nomthandazo Mbele brings the admirable Ntombi Khumalo to life with such creativity makes Generations even more of a pleasure to watch. Born in Natalspruit and raised by her mother in the North West Province, it was at a early stage of her life that Sonia discovered her love for acting. At the age of five, Sonia was already a real performer, always wanting to entertain friends, family and anybody who was willing to watch. When Sonia was a teenager they moved to Vosloorus, East of Johannesburg. In 1994, Sonia matriculated at North View High School in Highlands North. At school Sonia was a top student, a hard worker and a natural leader who excelled tennis, sang in the church and school choirs. Sonia was formally introduced to the acting world, when she joined a theatre group during her high school years. Although Sonia’s dream was to attend a drama school after matric, her family encouraged her to qualify in public relations instead. When Sonia finished her PR diploma, she proudly handed her certificate to her mother, and immediately approached an acting agency. Two days later she was cast in a Beacon commercial, and also as a lead in the SABC 2 drama, Phamokate.Sonia has since become one of South Africa’s most sought after actors. She has worked in theatre, television and film. People will recognise Sonia from programmes such as Soul City, Muvhango and Phamokate, and featured in films such as Mr. Bones and God is African. She’s also appeared in several television commercials including Vodacom, Sunsilk and Shield

dj china

China's passion for mixing started in the late 90's when he first became friends with ' DJs Mbuso and Claude, who were already well on their way to DJ stardom. Their influence, combined with the likes of big name DJs at that time, Christos and Smalls inspired China to start his own DJ career in “99”.
After two years of mixing off tapes he made the big jump to buying vinyl and developing his own style. Shortly thereafter he teamed up with close friend Claude, who had been a popular hip-hop DJ till that point, and together DJs China and Claude started making a name on the local house scene. Their turntable partnership became infamous, with an ever-growing fan base that followed the two wherever they played.
In 2002 China decided that spinning records was to be his future, and for the next 3 years he spent at least 4 hours a day mastering his art behind the decks and that he did!
Through their partnership, China and Claude started defining their own personal tastes, with each taking to a slightly different style of house. While Claude preferred the sweeter, vocal, happy house, china took to the deeper, more soulful, Westcoast style house, through which China has been said to “Tell a story in his DJ set's”. The DJ pairing has led to great solo opportunities for both China and Claude, but they still enjoy rocking the crowd back-to-back whenever possible.
In 2003 the legendary Club Carnalita opened its doors, and so with its co-owners Vinny Da Vinci and Christos took China under their wing, giving him musical guidance and regular DJ sets alongside some of the biggest names in the country. As China's reputation started growing as one of the early members of the Soul candi DJ crew, he started playing more frequently across the Jo’burg club circuit. China thrilled crowds at venues through out the city such as Carfax,115,Rock ‘n Roll,Groove Bar,Urban Note, Carnalita,Capitol Records,88, Paradigm,C3 and Rhino Bar
W'hile his fast-growing DJ career saw China share the decks with superstar internationals such as Jojo Flores and Lil Louis Vega, he still likes to keep in touch with his roots by returning to play at house parties and smaller events back where it all started, in areas like Mafikeng and Pretoria.
Finally 2006 will see China release his first ever compilation under long time friend, DJ Mbuso's newly formed record label Phezulu Records. Local audiences have been eagerly awaiting DJ China’s first compilation offering, and he promises not to disappoint!

dj mbuso is back on track

Mbuso began his DJ career back in 1996 while studying Computer System’s at Vaal Technikon. He quietly developed his skill and searched Gauteng for the hottest music.He started making mix tapes and together with his brother started one of the best annual parties in Soweto.
In 1997 he freelanced for various clubs and promoters until securing a residency at Stage nightclub-the most happening club of it’s time.Winning the Camel Vinyl Experience Meltdown in 1999 jumpstarted him into the South African DJ scene. Early 2000 he was given the prime weekend dance slot on Y-FM (Saturday’s 8-10). To date, this has been the show featuring the most international DJ’s on South African radio.
He has featured since at various clubs- Enigma, Rock n’ Roll, Calabash, Chaos, Carnalita, Soul Café, Voodoo Lounge and Hype.However, Mbuso’s talent has taken him over the racial lines into the scene making him the biggest crossover DJ in the country. From JHB to Cape Town and all the way through, Mbuso has been there and rocked the masses.Clubs include Truth, Baraza, Reality, Club More, 169, Transit Café, Liquid Lounge, Sublime, Amazon, Therapy, 115, C3….He has played some of the biggest bashes such as Y bashes, Mother raves, Ice raves etc…
In addition to covering the country with his superb sets he is one of our most travelled DJ’s- playing gigs from The Rex in Paris to Babushka in London.Mbuso has played alongside the cream local and international DJ’s including Vinnie da Vinci, Christos, Fresh, Glen Lewis, Oscar, Pepsi, Fistaz, Ganyane, Bad Boy T, Ready D, Phat Joe, Stuart H, G-Force… and international’s Andrew Riley, Jef K , Charles Webster, Cyril K, Little Louis Vega, Dave Rowe, Pete Tong, Phat Phil Cooper, Fresh and Low, J T Donaldson, Justin Deighton, Murray Richardson-the list just goes on…. Mbuso’s first compilation Urban House Mix was released in 1999 with Sony music and then a follow-up in 2000-Urban House Mix 2. Both compilations were given wide support in the market.
In 1999 Mbuso started working at Sugartrax (vinyl store) and worked there until early 2001 when he bought Sugartrax and converted it into his own new brand in the dance market- SoulCandi. Currently situated in Rosebank the new hub of Gauteng, SoulCandi has rapidly grown to become one of South Africa’s leading vinyl importers and has started a record label to be used as a platform to establish recognition for local artists in the international market as well as releasing internationally produced music on a local platform. In 2002 he established a label in New York called Phezulu Records, released a Soulcandi compilation early 2003 that has sold over 40 000 copies and went to win Duku Duku Dj of the year , has been nominated for Radio Metro’s Dance Album of the year Category and Channel O’s best African dance video.
In 2003 saw the release of Soulcandi session 1 which sold over 48 000 copies and in 2004 Soulcandi Session 2 in 4 months of it’s release has sold over 25 000. 2005 his studioProject Maf&So which is a collaboration with Jerah, Claude and Brenton sold over 37 000 units. Early 200sold soulcandi and started Phezulu records in joburg to be the future driver of his sound and vision.