DJ Maphorisa has paid tribute to fellow South African music heavyweight Black Coffee, crediting the Grammy-winning DJ and producer for playing a major role in shaping the country’s global musical identity and inspiring the generation that followed.
Maphorisa made the comments during a recent conversation on Apple Music’s Beats in Space with Tim Sweeney, where he reflected on Black Coffee’s influence and the impact he has had on the South African music industry. According to Maphorisa, Black Coffee was already demonstrating his ability to lead and innovate years before receiving international recognition.
“Without Black Coffee, we wouldn’t be here; we would be thinking differently,” Maphorisa said, describing him as a “godfather” of the scene.
For Maphorisa, Black Coffee’s potential was clear as far back as 2009 and 2010. He recalled watching the producer develop his sound and build an international reputation, explaining that seeing how far Black Coffee has come remains inspiring.
“With me, I saw it back then, like around 2009-2010 and looking at now at what he has achieved, it’s crazy, it’s inspiring,” he said.
Maphorisa also praised Black Coffee for consistently being ahead of the curve and establishing trends that gave other South African musicians something to build upon. He pointed to the producer’s early bootleg remixes and his ability to introduce audiences to new sounds as important parts of his legacy.
“He’s always been a step ahead because he’s been our leader, and he has set a lot of trends in S.A.,” Maphorisa explained. “Even back then, he was the guy; he was doing bootleg remixes, he was giving us the sound, he would give us direction.”
The praise comes as Maphorisa continues to play a similar role in the careers of younger artists. From his early production work at Kalawa Jazmee to establishing BlaqBoy Music and becoming one of the leading figures in Amapiano, he has consistently been involved in developing new talent and creating opportunities.
Young Stunna is among the artists who have benefited from Maphorisa’s mentorship and platform during his rise in the Amapiano scene.
Maphorisa’s comments therefore reflect more than admiration for Black Coffee. They highlight a broader cycle of mentorship and influence within South African music, where established artists help shape the next generation.
Black Coffee’s journey from local DJ to internationally celebrated artist has demonstrated what is possible when South African sounds are taken to the world. For Maphorisa, that contribution cannot be separated from the progress made by those who followed.
As both artists continue to influence music in different ways, Maphorisa’s tribute serves as a reminder of the foundation Black Coffee helped build for South African music on the global stage.
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