By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Image @RealBlackCoffee.
Black Coffee became the first African Disc Jockey (DJ) to sell out the world’s busiest music arena, 20000 capacity O2 Arena in London, United Kingdom (UK).
Nkosinathi Maphumulo and known for hits such as The Rapture Pt.III and Drive, was in London on Friday for one night before flying to begin his Ibiza summer residency.
He had a three-hour performance featuring a live orchestra, guest artists and surprise appearances.
The night’s standout moment came when Alicia Keys joined Black Coffee on stage to perform their collaborative track “In Common,” a surprise that sent the crowd into a frenzy and quickly went viral.
Speaking to the BBC before his Afropolitan House O2 spectacle, he was calm – despite the scale of the occasion.
“I’ve been here before,” he said. “I played in the Indigo room before, so it was always a big thing for me to move to the next room – the big one.”
“London is known for clubbing for so many years,” he explained. “There’s a very big relationship with Ibiza. They’re just a clubbing community. London is punchier, groovier. So I had to build a different set for tonight.”
The city played a major role in launching his international career.
“One of my singles became big here,” he recalled. “London has always been part of my dream. I basically grew up here musically.”
Black Coffee’s latest achievement adds to a career that has helped bring South African dance music to mainstream audiences around the world.
He posted about the moment on his social media accounts and said:
“This past Friday has left me speechless. Every small detail put together created an absolute dream. From the special guests to the orchestra, then the choir and surprises sprinkled throughout. This one came from the heart, London. Thank you for joining me on this journey at the O2.”
He made history in 2022 when his seventh studio album, Subconsciously, won the Grammy Award for Best Dance/Electronic Album. Making him the first African DJ to win a Grammy.