From the dusty streets of Umlazi township, internationally renowned DJ Black Coffee takes his followers on a journey of his life in his latest film.
In the film Origins: Black Coffee, the Durban-born DJ shares his life from his hometown Umlazi to his upbringing in Ngangelizwe township, Mthatha. The film was launched last month at the Amsterdam Music Festival.
Black Coffee, real name Nathi Maphumulo, has made a name for himself internationally as a DJ.
Speaking with the Saturday Dispatch this week, Maphumulo said documenting his life story and sharing it with the world has always been something that he had wanted to do.
“Time was a challenge for me. I was waiting for an opportunity to do it but when Resident Advisor expressed that they wanted to do this, I was glad.”
Resident Advisor is an online electronic music magazine dedicated to the global dance music scene. The film has been produced by Resident Advisor in partnership with California-based consumer electronics company Sonos.
Under the theme of Origins, they have followed the lives of international DJs all over the world, Maphumulo being one of them.
At the age of 12, Maphumulo and his mother moved to Ngangelizwe Township where he was raised by his grandmother, along with his cousins.
In the film, Maphumulo visits his former school, Zimele High School in Mthatha and encouraged the pupils to never give up and to have faith.
“I hope this film inspires the youth. When I went to my school I wanted them to see that place has produced people like me and that anything was possible,” he said. After a serious car accident in 1990, Maphumulo said music was his hiding place. “Even today, when something is bothering me, I find comfort in music and I think everyone does. Others find comfort in listening to music but for me I find my comfort in creating music.”
Maphumulo said coming from a disadvantaged background inspired him to work towards a better life for himself and family.
Maphumulo said they would be shooting more scenes for a longer version of the movie that would be launched in South Africa next year. when he releases a new album.
The film would also include scenes from his international tours.
You can watch the 21-minute version of the film on YouTube, search for Origins Black Coffee. —poliswap@dispatch.co.za