Themba Sekowe (born 15 November 1987), known professionally as DJ Maphorisa, is a South African DJ, record producer, singer, and songwriter. 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 Killer Kau He was signed to Kalawa Jazmee Records prior to establishing his own record label, BlaqBoy Music.
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”. In September 2018, he released a single “Midnight Starring” featuring Moonchild Sanelly, DJ Tira and Busiswa. At the 2018 DStv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards he received two nominations: Favourite Song Of the Year and Favourite DJ. 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.
2019–present: Rumble in the Jungle,Piano Hub and Banyana EPEdit, On April 9, 2021, Maphorisa, TRESOR and Kabza De Small released the collaboration studio album Rumble in the Jungle. {DJ Maphorisa also started Piano Hub with Kabza De Small That made a lot of songs like Bopha, Ziwa Ngale, Abalele, Banyana, London and Trust Fund}} On April 16, 2021, Maphorisa and Tyler ICU’s studio EP Banyana was released. 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.In 2021, he embarked to Made in Lagos Tour for an opening act with Wizkid. At the 2021 Music Kwaito and House Music Awards he received a nomination for Best DJ.
On 17 September 2021, he released a single “Abalele” with Kabza De Small featuring Ami Faku. In October 2021, he produced Congolese-born singer TRESOR’s singles, “Makosa” and “Nyota” from the album, Motion. In November 2022, he worked with Afrika Memani on the Road To Private EP, which was released on the 4th of November.
DJ Maphporisa had received the African DJ of the Year award at the Soundcity MVP Awards which were held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos. In May 2023, he decided to collaborate with Kabza De Smallon a 25 tracks mixtape project titled “The Konka Mixtape (Sweet & Dust) Album” and featured top artists.
2023, Himself, African DJ of the YearWon
