Themba Sekowe (born 15 November 1987),[3] known professionally as DJ Maphorisa,[4] is a South African DJ, record producer, singer, and songwriter.[5][6] As a record producer with a blend of house music, amapiano and afropop, he has worked with and has received production credits from several notable artists, including Wizkid, Sizwe Alakine, Kwesta, Uhuru, Drake, Black Coffee, Major Lazer, Runtown, C4 Pedro, TRESOR, Kabza De Small, Era Istrefi, Mpura, Young Stunna and Killer Kau.[7][8] He was signed to Kalawa Jazmee Records prior to establishing his own record label, BlaqBoy Music.[9]

DJ Maphorisa
Birth nameThemba Sekowe
Also known as
Born (1987-11-15) 15 November 1987 (age 36)[2]
Soshanguve, Pretoria, South Africa
Occupations
  • DJ
  • record producer
  • vocalist
Years active2008–present
Labels
Formerly ofUhuru

He rose to stardom after producing several hit singles for artists of multiple music genres, such as Uhuru ("Y-Tjukuta"), Kwesta ("Ngud'"), Busiswa ("Lahla"), DJ Zinhle ("My name Is"), Professor ("Jezebel") and Shekinah ("Suited").[10]

Personal life

Themba "DJ Maphorisa" Sekowe was born on 15 November 1987,[3] and raised in Soshanguve, he is the biological brother of South African DJ and record producer Myztro.[11][12]

Career

In September 2018, he released a single "Midnight Starring" featuring Moonchild Sanelly, DJ Tira and Busiswa.[13] At the 2018 DStv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards he received two nominations: Favourite Song Of the Year and Favourite DJ.[14][15] On November 27, 2018, at the third ceremony of Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards his single "Midnight Starring" won an award for most voted-for song.[16]

2019–present: Rumble in the Jungle, Piano Hub and Banyana EP

On April 9, 2021, Maphorisa, TRESOR and Kabza De Small released the collaboration studio album Rumble in the Jungle.[17][18] On April 16, 2021, Anathi and Tyler ICU's studio EP Banyana was released.[19] The EP featured Sir Trill, Daliwonga and Kabza De Small, Mpura, and Visca. The single "Banyana" surpassed 4.2 million streams and was certified double platinum by the Recording industry of South Africa.[20] In 2021, he embarked to Made in Lagos Tour for an opening act with Wizkid.[21] At the 2021 Music Kwaito and House Music Awards he received a nomination for Best DJ.[22]

On 17 September 2021, he released a single "Abalele" with Kabza De Small featuring Ami Faku.[23]

In October 2021, he produced Congolese-born singer TRESOR’s singles, "Makosa" and "Nyota" from the album, Motion.[24]

In November 2022, he worked with Afrika Memani on the Road To Private EP, which was released on the 4th of November.

DJ Maphorisa had received the African DJ of the Year award at the Soundcity MVP Awards which were held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos.[25]

In April 2023, he featured on hit single "Mnike" seeing other producers like Tyler ICU, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA and Tyron Dee collaborating which featured No.1 on many South African Billboards

In May 2023, he decided to collaborate with Kabza De Small on a 25 tracks mixtape project titled: "The Konka Mixtape: Sweet And Dust."[26]

Tours

Co-headlining

  • Made in Lagos Tour (2021) (with Wizkid)
  • AmaFest (2021)[27]
  • Piano People Indoor Winter Festival 2023

Discography

Collaborative Albums & EPs

  • Our Father (with Uhuru) (2013)[28]
  • Blaqboy Music Presents Gqom Wave (2017)[29]
  • Scorpion Kings EP (with Kabza De Small) (2019)[30]
  • The Return of Scorpion Kings (with Kabza De Small) (2019)[31]
  • Scorpion King Live At Sun Arena (with Kabza De Small) (2020)[32]
  • Once Upon A Time In A Lockdown (with Kabza De Small) (2020)[33]
  • Madumane EP (2020)[34]
  • Rumble In The Jungle (with Kabza De Small & TRESOR) (2021)[35]
  • Banyana EP (with Tyler ICU) (2021)[36]
  • Ba Straata 2022
  • The Konka Mixtape : Sweet & Dust (with Kabza De Small) (2023)[26]

Singles

  1. The Banger
  2. "Omalicha Nwa"
  1. Ngud'
  2. "Mayibabo"
  3. "Afro Trap"
  1. "Gang"
  2. "Trap"
  1. khona
  2. Kucheza
  3. Love Portion
  1. Bazoyenza
  2. Midnight Starring
  • Himself
  1. Soweto Baby featuring Wizkid and DJ Bucks
  1. Itemba Lam
  2. Lorch
  3. Hello
  4. Inhliziyo
  1. London with Madumane
  2. Trust Fund with Mpura
  • Other
  1. Banyana featuring Sir Trill Kabza De Small
  2. Ba Straata ft 2woshort

Singles produced

List of singles as either producer or co-producer, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
CAN
AUS
IRL
NZ
SA
UK
US
US
R&B
/HH

"Ngud'"
(Kwesta)
2016 1 DaKAR II
"One Dance"
(Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla)[38][39]
2016 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
  • ARIA: Gold[40]
  • BPI: Platinum
  • RMNZ: Platinum
Views
"Suited"
(Shekhinah)
2017 1 Rose Gold
"Midnight Starring" (featuring DJ Tira, Busiswa & Moonchild Sanelly)[42] 2017 Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

African Muzik Magazine Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2020
Himself
Music Producer of the Nominated [43]

Dance Music Awards South Africa

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 "Amantombazane" Best Amapiano Record Won [44]

Dstv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018
"Midnight Starring"
Favourite Song Of the Year [45] Nominated
Himself
Favourite DJ Nominated
2022
Scorpion Kings
Favourite DJ[46] Nominated

Humanitarian African Prestigious Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
Himself
Music Producer of The Year[47] Nominated
Best DJ Africa[47] Nominated

MTV Africa Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2016
Himself
Song of the Year[48][49] Nominated
2020 Best African Act[50][51] Nominated

Metro FM Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2024 "Imithandazo" Song of the Year Won [52]
Best Collaboration Won
Best Amapiano Won

Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2018
"Midnight Starring"
Most Voted Song Won
2021
Himself[53]
Best producer Pending
Best AmaPiano songs Pending
Pending

SA Amapiano Music Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2021
Himself[54]
Best amapiano male DJ/Act Nominated[55]

Soundcity MVP Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023
Himself
African DJ of the Year Won [56]

References

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