DJ Maphorisa Profile - Biography, Career Life, Personal Life and Discography

Themba Sekowe, better known as DJ Maphorisa, is a South African DJ, record producer, singer, and songwriter. He is known for his unique blend of house music, amapiano, and afropop. DJ Maphorisa has produced music for many popular 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. Before starting his own record label, BlaqBoy Music, he was signed to Kalawa Jazmee Records.

DJ Maphorisa became famous after producing several hit songs for artists across various music genres, including Uhuru's 'Y-Tjukuta,' Kwesta's 'Ngud',' Busiswa's 'Lahla,' DJ Zinhle's 'My Name Is,' Professor's 'Jezebel,' and Shekinah's 'Suited.'

Early Life

Themba "DJ Maphorisa" Sekowe was born on November 15, 1987, and grew up in Soshanguve, Pretoria, South Africa. He is the biological brother of South African DJ and record producer Myztro. DJ Maphorisa, who is now 37 years old, has a mixed ethnic background. His mother is South African, while his father was Nigerian.

Career

In September 2018, DJ Maphorisa released the single 'Midnight Starring,' featuring Moonchild Sanelly, DJ Tira, and Busiswa. This song brought him recognition at the 2018 DStv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards, where he received two nominations for Favorite Song of the Year and Favorite DJ. On November 27, 2018, at the third Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards, 'Midnight Starring' won the award for Most Voted-For Song.

On April 9, 2021, DJ Maphorisa, along with TRESOR and Kabza De Small, released the collaborative studio album 'Rumble in the Jungle'. A week later, on April 16, 2021, the studio EP 'Banyana' by Anathi and Tyler ICU was released, featuring Sir Trill, Daliwonga, Kabza De Small, Mpura, and Visca. The title track 'Banyana' achieved over 4.2 million streams and was certified double platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa. In 2021, he joined Wizkid on the Made in Lagos Tour as an opening act and was nominated for Best DJ at the Music Kwaito and House Music Awards.

On September 17, 2021, he released the single 'Abalele' with Kabza De Small, featuring Ami Faku. In October 2021, he produced TRESOR's singles 'Makosa' and 'Nyota' from the album 'Motion'. In November 2022, he collaborated with Afrika Memani on the 'Road To Private' EP, released on November 4th.

DJ Maphorisa was honored with the African DJ of the Year award at the Soundcity MVP Awards held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos. In April 2023, he featured on the hit single 'Mnike,' collaborating with producers like Tyler ICU, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA, and Tyron Dee, which topped many South African Billboard charts. In May 2023, he teamed up with Kabza De Small on a 25-track mixtape titled 'The Konka Mixtape: Sweet and Dust'.

Personal Life

The renowned DJ is rumored to be dating Cyan Boujee, a well-known South African social media influencer. There were also rumors of a relationship with Thuli Phongolo, a South African actress, but the DJ has not confirmed any of these speculations. The DJ is a father to a teenage daughter who turned 15 in February 2024.

Discography

Collaborative Albums & EPs

2013 - Our Father (with Uhuru)

2017 - Blaqboy Music Presents Gqom Wave 

2019 - Scorpion Kings EP (with Kabza De Small)

2019 - The Return of Scorpion Kings (with Kabza De Small)

2020 - Scorpion King Live At Sun Arena (with Kabza De Small)

2020 - Once Upon A Time In A Lockdown (with Kabza De Small)

2020 - Madumane EP 

2021 - Rumble In The Jungle (with Kabza De Small & TRESOR)

2021 - Banyana EP (with Tyler ICU) 

2022 - Ba Straata 

2023 - The Konka Mixtape : Sweet & Dust (with Kabza De Small) 

Singles

With Runtown

The Banger

"Omalicha Nwa"

With Kwesta

Ngud'

"Mayibabo"

"Afro Trap"

With Whysl

"Gang"

"Trap"

With Mafikizolo

Khona

Kucheza

Love Portion

With Busiswa

Bazoyenza

Midnight Starring

With Kabza De Small

Itemba Lam

Lorch

Hello

Inhliziyo

With Focalistic

London with Madumane

Trust Fund with Mpura

Other

Soweto Baby featuring Wizkid and DJ Bucks

Banyana featuring Sir Trill Kabza De Small

Ba Straata ft 2woshort