Bhekinkosi Mabhena (born 21 September 1991) known by the stage name of Nitefreak, is a Zimbabwean DJ and music producer.[1]

Nitefreak
Birth nameBhekinkosi Mabhena
Born (1991-09-21) 21 September 1991 (age 33)
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
GenresHouse
Occupations
  • DJ
  • record producer
Years active2009–present
Labels
  • Deep Root Records
  • Spinnin' Deep Records
  • Grooveland Africa
  • Higher Ground (Mad Decent)

Early life

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Bhekinkosi Mabhena was born on born 21 September 1991 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.[2] He began DJing in 2009 after his friend introduced him to music production software FL Studio.[3]

Musical career

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Nitefreak first started out as a beat-maker and music producer selling beats to local artists in Zimbabwe.[4]

His remix single "Premier Gaou" by Francis Mercier & Magic System was released on 15 March 2021. The song was certified Gold by Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique (SNEP).

In May 2023, Nitefreak was enlisted by 1001Tracklist's The Future Of Dance.[5][6]

Nitefreak received the most nominations at the 2023 Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards, for Outstanding Male Artiste, Outstanding Kwaito/House/Gqom and won Outstanding Club DJ, Outstanding Song of the Year, and Outstanding (Worldwide Ambassador).[7]

"Gorah" by Nitefreak and Emmanuel Jal was released on 3 November 2023.[8]

Other projects

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On 28 February 2023 Nitefreak, DJ Francis Mercier and Michael Brun were interviewed by Forbes magazine contributor Lisa Kocay as part of their Black History Month campaign.[9]

Singles

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As lead artist

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List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
ZA
"Premier Gaou" 2021 SNEP: Gold[10] Non-album single
"Ode Ireti" (Nitefreak Remix) (&Friends, Nitefreak featuring eL_Jay & Oluwadamvic) 2022 Non-album single
"Kamili" (Francis Mercier, Nitefreak, Idd Aziz) 2023 Non-album single
"Pesa Esengo" (Nitefreak, Claudia León, Bibi Den's Tshibayi) Non-album single
"Vom" (Nitefreak, Miishu, featuring Stevo Atambire) Non-album single
"Desert Storm" (Afro Exotiq, Nitefreak) Non-album single
"Ike Onu" (Nitefreak, & friends featuring Phina Asa) Non-album single
"Gorah" (Nitefreak, Emmanuel Jal) Non-album single
"Savior" (Nitefreak, Mole, Coco) 2024 Non-album single
"Asara (Nitefreak, Laureano featuring Bambo Cissokho) Non-album single
"Gorah" (Francis Mercier Midnight Mix) (Nitefreak, Emmanuel Jal) Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

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Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 Himself Outstanding Club DJ Won [7][11]
Outstanding Ambassador (Worldwide) Won
Outstanding Male Artiste Nominated
Premier Gaou (Remix) Outstanding Arts Song of the Year Won
Outstanding Kwaito/House/Gqom Nominated

Skyz Metro FM Music Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 "Woza Kimi" featuring Kemm Vocals Best Kwaito/Gqom Nominated [12][13]

References

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  1. ^ "Meet Nitefreak the Good Music DJ, Beat-Maker & Remixer". Ingudukazi. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  2. ^ "Meet Nitefreak the Good Music DJ, Beat-Maker & Remixer". Ingudukazi. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  3. ^ "DJ Nitefreak eyes international market". Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  4. ^ "Nitefreak Biography". Shop Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  5. ^ "Nitefreak featured on 1001Tracklist's The Future Of Dance 2023 List celebrating the genres top producers". enthuse Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  6. ^ "Nitefreak - On The Record #170". Mix Cloud. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
  7. ^ a b "Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards 2023: Nitefreak leads the way with the most nominations". enthuse Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  8. ^ "NITEFREAK AND EMMANUEL JAL RELEASE NEW Single "GORAH"". Canadian Ravers. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  9. ^ "In Conversation: Francis Mercier, Michael Brun And Nitefreak On Black History Month". Forbes.
  10. ^ "LES CERTIFICATIONS - SNEP (France)". 2023-08-31. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  11. ^ "Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards 2023: Full Winners List". enthuse Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  12. ^ https://www.chronicle.co.zw/skyz-metro-reveals-awards-nominees/
  13. ^ https://youthvillage.co.zw/sport-entertainment/the-2017-skyz-metro-fm-music-awards-nominees/attachment/sandra-ndebele-new/
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