KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala, on behalf of the Provincial Government, congratulates internationally acclaimed record producer, songwriter and DJ, Black Coffee, as well as rapper, singer and songwriter Doja Cat for their outstanding Grammy Award achievements in the music industry in the United States of America.

Umlazi born Nkosinathi Maphumulo, better known by his stage name Black Coffee, cemented his status as one of the best dance DJs globally, when he bagged the Best Dance/ Electronic Music Album Grammy Award at the 64th annual Grammy Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas last night. Black Coffee scooped the award for his critically acclaimed album, ‘Subconsciously’.

Meanwhile, Umlazi born Dumisani Dlamini’s daughter Zandile Dlamini, known professionally as Doja Cat and SZA also walked away with Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 2022 Grammys.

Premier Zikalala said Maphumulo, who has risen to unprecedented international glory over many years, was a beacon of hope for many aspiring artists in the province and South Africa as a whole.

“We applaud Black Coffee and Doja Cat for their outstanding achievements on the global stage. Despite Black Coffee’s international stardom, he has remained humble and has inspired many DJs and record producers who consider him as their role model. Black Coffee has also contributed greatly to the empowerment of young South African artists and has ploughed back to his community in various ways through the Black Coffee Foundation,” said Zikalala.

Premier Zikalala said Black Coffee has gained worldwide prominence and has collaborated with American R&B singer Usher Raymond, Canadian rapper Drake and French DJ and record producer David Guetta. Locally, Black Coffee has worked with Zakes Bantwini, Mi Casa and DJ Maphorisa just to name a few.

“DJ Black Coffee did not allow his physical disability to hinder his success but instead he continues to soar to even greater heights and is investing in the future of artists and creatives from a young age through his Foundation which aims to fund the studies of those battling to pay their tuition fees. The Black Coffee Foundation has also awarded scholarships which provide the opportunity for a highly talented and physically disabled students to further their studies,” said Zikalala.

Premier Zikalala said the provincial government was truly proud of Black Coffee’s achievements and success because he represents some of the best creatives that has ever come out of KwaZulu-Natal.