Podcast Summary: DJ Black Coffee on Breaking Barriers and Building Global Credibility
Podcast: The Business of Fashion Podcast
Date: January 2, 2026
Guest: Black Coffee (DJ & Producer, South Africa)
Host/Interviewer: Imran Ahmed, The Business of Fashion
Episode Overview
This episode features a candid conversation with internationally acclaimed DJ and producer Black Coffee, focusing on his journey from South Africa to the world’s biggest stages. The discussion explores breaking cultural and industry barriers, challenging stereotypes about Africa, building credibility on the global stage, and Black Coffee’s commitment to opening doors for the next generation of African talent. The episode is rich in personal history, industry insights, and advice for emerging creatives seeking global impact.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Challenge of Global Representation (00:35–06:32)
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Perceptions of Africa:
- Black Coffee underscores how Africa is often misrepresented:
"If you Google a picture of Africa, it's not going to be the most positive picture you see." (00:35)
- He notes the continent’s misrepresentation even on world maps:
"The biggest lie about the continent is if you look at the picture of the globe, Africa is made to be smaller. And that's the truth." (03:54)
- Black Coffee underscores how Africa is often misrepresented:
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Harder Path to Credibility:
- DJing in South Africa is tough due to saturated talent, but global recognition is even harder as an African because of industry bias and limited opportunities:
"We have to work 10 times harder. We don't have opportunity. We have the talent... we import more than we export." (04:18)
- DJing in South Africa is tough due to saturated talent, but global recognition is even harder as an African because of industry bias and limited opportunities:
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Fashion’s Role in Branding:
- Fashion and personal presentation were crucial in his global ascendance:
"The more I was growing as a brand, fashion played a very big role for me... I was very conscious of how I present myself." (02:06)
- Fashion and personal presentation were crucial in his global ascendance:
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Gatekeeping and Pigeonholing:
- The music industry often creates sub-genres or special categories that keep African artists in a box:
"At the Grammys... instead of Tyler from South Africa, who has the biggest song in the world, instead of giving her number one pop award, they will create a new genre or category where it's Best African." (05:45)
- He shares an experience where African award categories weren’t televised or part of the main show (BET Awards):
"...the African categories were only going to be on Friday. Not televised... we were not invited on the main show on Saturday." (07:00)
- The music industry often creates sub-genres or special categories that keep African artists in a box:
2. Strategy for Global Acceptance (07:44–10:08)
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Intentional Collaborations & Musical Decisions:
- To combat categorization, Black Coffee deliberately featured global stars on his album:
"I created an album with an intention of being nominated or being categorized with my peers." (07:44)
- The goal was to be recognized for mainstream excellence—not just as an “African act.”
- To combat categorization, Black Coffee deliberately featured global stars on his album:
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On Universal Language in Music:
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"There's no language in a piano. You know, a piano doesn't speak Zulu, you know, it plays notes." (08:45)
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Systemic Slowdown for African Talent:
- Comparing Western artists to African artists:
"There’s been so many artists from here, from the UK... they didn’t create a British category... So that slows us down a lot, whether it's in art, music, or fashion." (09:55)
- Comparing Western artists to African artists:
3. Growing Up Through Apartheid and Beyond (10:08–13:13, 14:14–14:30)
- South Africa’s “Rainbow Nation” Promise:
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Mandela’s presidency brought hope, but wounds remain:
"When Nelson Mandela came out of jail... the word... was 'rainbow nation.' This was his vision... But in reality, the country is still suffering." (10:40)
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The need for open dialogue and formal acknowledgment of past injustices:
"I feel like in South Africa, that's what's needed... What could bring real change is being outspoken about what happened in the past." (11:39) "...we have kids that are young, that don't know the history... but the truth is still hidden." (12:27)
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4. The Defining Accident (14:14–19:39)
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Personal Trauma on a Historic Night:
- Black Coffee recounts the accident that left him with a permanently paralyzed arm, which occurred during celebrations of Mandela’s release:
"That evening... we just had like, like a knob. I personally had a big, big noise, like a big bang. And I was light out..." (14:30)
- He awoke to pain and confusion in the hospital, realizing his life had irrevocably changed.
- Black Coffee recounts the accident that left him with a permanently paralyzed arm, which occurred during celebrations of Mandela’s release:
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Childhood Dreams, Struggle, and Resilience:
- Early love of music and DJing, already making a name despite being underaged.
- Struggled with depression, physiotherapy, and the desire to not be defined by his disability:
"I didn't want people to see me as that artist. I didn't want pity, you know, I wanted to come in the industry and be accepted as a musician..." (21:09)
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First Time Speaking Out:
- He only publicly shared his story years later, after releasing his second album:
"I remember the first time I spoke about it was probably 2007 when I released my second album... I felt like I was ready to have conversations about it." (21:55)
- He only publicly shared his story years later, after releasing his second album:
5. Breaking Out: Moment of Global Recognition (22:04–24:42)
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Red Bull Music Academy Experience:
- Acceptance into the Red Bull Music Academy in Cape Town was a turning point in Black Coffee’s exposure to the global music scene:
"Being there for me changed my perspective... I was there with other DJs and producers from around the world..." (22:23)
- He learned the significance of appealing to a wider audience without losing authenticity—sometimes translating lyrics, sometimes not.
- Acceptance into the Red Bull Music Academy in Cape Town was a turning point in Black Coffee’s exposure to the global music scene:
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Mentorship and Collaboration:
- Collaboration with South African music legend Hugh Masakela, who appeared on Black Coffee’s first single and video, further anchored his international ambition.
6. Advice for Young Creatives (24:42–27:30)
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Trust Your Inner Voice:
- His core message to young creatives worldwide:
"Just listen to your voice. As an artist, we all have a voice... that voice is the voice that will make you the greatest." (25:12) "Listening to people sometimes can water down your ambitions and can change your direction." (25:37)
- His core message to young creatives worldwide:
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Africa’s Untapped Richness:
- He stresses the continent’s diverse stories, languages, and artistic potential:
"We haven't even touched the surface when it comes to storytelling our sound, our different cultures." (26:08)
- Encourages artists not to let external forces dictate their expression:
"Don't allow anyone else to tell you, 'Sing your melody like this or approach your art like this.'" (26:45)
- He stresses the continent’s diverse stories, languages, and artistic potential:
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Breaking Stereotypes:
- “I'm one of the few exports of the continent. The idea is... to bring more African DJs on the island... because I know how much we lack opportunity and how much we are ready for a global platform.”
— Black Coffee (05:00)
- “I'm one of the few exports of the continent. The idea is... to bring more African DJs on the island... because I know how much we lack opportunity and how much we are ready for a global platform.”
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On Industry Gatekeeping:
- “Any African artist who comes up, they will create a category... Sam Smith came. They didn't create a British category, you know what I'm saying?”
— Black Coffee (09:40)
- “Any African artist who comes up, they will create a category... Sam Smith came. They didn't create a British category, you know what I'm saying?”
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On Resilience After Trauma:
- “I was very, very confused as to where to go... as a kid, asking myself so many questions... Eventually, I just blocked, you know, the accident... I didn't want pity.”
— Black Coffee (19:42–21:09)
- “I was very, very confused as to where to go... as a kid, asking myself so many questions... Eventually, I just blocked, you know, the accident... I didn't want pity.”
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Personal Advice:
- “Listen to your voice and let your talent and your voice guide you.”
— Black Coffee (26:55)
- “Listen to your voice and let your talent and your voice guide you.”
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Africa and Stereotypes: 00:35–04:18
- Industry Barriers / Award Categorization: 05:45–09:55
- Growing up in Apartheid & Legacy of Mandela: 10:08–13:13
- The Night of the Accident & Impact: 14:14–19:39
- Breaking into the Global Scene (Red Bull Music Academy): 22:04–24:42
- Advice to Young Creatives: 25:12–27:30
Tone and Language
The conversation is authentic, direct, and occasionally vulnerable, staying true to Black Coffee’s unfiltered and passionate articulation of his journey. The tone balances critical examination of systemic issues with hopeful advice and a commitment to inspiring others.
This episode is essential listening for artists, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the challenges of breaking into global industries, especially from regions often overlooked or misrepresented. Black Coffee’s story transcends the music world, offering universally applicable lessons on self-belief, perseverance, and the importance of telling one’s own story.