South Africa is one of the countries on the African continent that can boast of having the best DJs. The country is blessed with excellent DJs that have mastered their craft of turning tables and mixing music for the entertainment of their audience. A lot of DJs have gone ahead to attain celebrity status in the country from the immense success that disc jockeying has brought them.
The Top 10 Best DJs in South Africa include Black Coffee, DJ Oskido, DJ Euphonik, DJ Maphorisa, DJ Kent, DJ Fresh, DJ Sbu, DJ Zinhle, DJ Cleo, and Heavy K. All of these professional Disc Jockeys have demonstrated time and time again that they are good at what they do when they are invited to perform at several events where they are paid handsomely to entertain music lovers.
Top 10 Best DJs in South Africa
1. Black Coffee
Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo, popularly known as Black Coffee, is a South African DJ, singer, songwriter and record producer. He is the best DJ in South Africa and has earned the title of best in his profession. Black Coffee is well known in the entertainment industry in South Africa and Africa at large.
Asides from being the best DJ in South Africa, Black Coffee is also a famous DJ known distinctively for his mastery of the profession in Africa. He owns a record label called Soulistic Music and has been a prominent figure in the South African music industry. Black Coffee is also the wealthiest DJ in South Africa, and he has bagged a total of 8 SAMA awards, 4 DJ awards, 2 Metro FM wards and 1 Grammy award throughout his musical career.
2. DJ Oskido
Oscar Sibonginkosi Mdlongwa, popularly known as DJ Oskido, is a South African DJ, record producer, recording artist and businessman. With 26 years of experience in the South African Music industry, he has become popular in South Africa. He pioneered promoting the Kwaito genre of music alongside some artists. He owns a record label known as Kalawa Jazmee Records, and he is more skilled in house music and Afropop genres.
DJ Oskido is one of the top 10 best DJs in South Africa presently and one of the richest DJs in South Africa. He was instrumental in setting up some music groups such as Bongo Muffins, Mafikizolo and Trompies. He was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 13th Metro FM Music Awards.
3. DJ Euphonik
The name Themba Mbogeni Nkosi might not ring a bell; however, the mention of DJ Euphonik will surely do in the ears of some South Africans. DJ Euphonik is a South African DJ, radio presenter and music producer. He is more famous for playing house music and owns Euphonik Productions. He shot to the limelight in 2013 with Cool and Deadly, which became one of the Top 40 Songs on the 5FM list.
DJ Euphonik has travelled worldwide and performed in major cities such as Miami, Dubai, New York, Spain, Ibiza, the UK and several African countries. He is undoubtedly one of the best DJs in South Africa, as well as one of the richest DJs in South Africa. He has bagged several awards, such as a Metro Award and has had several award nominations as well.
4. DJ Maphorisa
Themba Sonnyboy Sekowe, popularly known as DJ Maphorisa, is an award-winning South African DJ, record producer, vocalist and songwriter. He specialises in a blend of house music, amapiano and Afropop genres, and he has produced music for artists such as Wizkid, Drake, Runtown, and Uhuru, amongst others. He owns a record label known as BlaqBoy Music.
DJ Maphorisa is one of the best DJs in South Africa, with massive contributions to the South African music industry. He co-headlined the Made in Lagos Tour with Wizkid and the AmaFest in 2021. He has nine collaborative albums and Eps, as well as several hit singles such as One Dance by Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla. His song Midnight Starring won the Most Voted Song in 2018 at the Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards.
5. DJ Kent
Khensani Mabaso, popularly known as DJ Kent, is an award-winning South African DJ, music producer and entrepreneur. He is a very talented DJ in South Africa as well as one of the best DJs in South Africa. FIFA chose him to produce the 2010 FIFA World Cup music. His third album, Weekent, went gold in just a month.
He has produced several albums, and other DJs have imitated his mixing style in 12 countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. DJ Kent once collaborated with DJ Euphonik and Tumi Mokitlane to form Kentphonik, which was signed to 88 Productions in 2005. He has won several awards, including 3 SAMA awards and 2 Metro FM awards, and several nominations.
6. DJ Fresh
Thato Sikwane, popularly known as DJ Fresh or Big Dawg, is a Motswana DJ, record producer, radio host and entrepreneur based in South Africa. He is most famous for his career as a radio host on 5FM and Metro FM. He started a record label called Domboshaba Records in 2022 with Tich Ponde to focus majorly on Afro-House music in South Africa.
DJ Fresh has also hosted various TV shows, such as Idols SA, amongst others. He has released multiple singles and Albums. DJ Fresh has also shared the stage with International DJs such as DJ Snake, David Guetta and South Africa’s Black Coffee. He has won the Lemon Twits Radio DJ of the Year award and the 2020 virtual radio awards as the best afternoon drive presenter.
7. DJ Sbu
Sbusiso Leope, popularly known as DJ Sbu, is a South African DJ, music producer, Radio & TV Host and entrepreneur. He started his career as a Volunteer Radio presenter before becoming a DJ. He is a Youth Advocate, offers entrepreneurship lessons to Youths and is concerned for unemployed Youths.
DJ Sbu is also an accomplished author of the book Billionaire under Construction: The Mindset of an Entrepreneur. He co-owns TS Records with TK Nciza, which promotes South Africa’s best musicians. He has several songs and albums to his name, as well as awards. DJ Sbu has 4 SAMA awards and a Metro FM award, amongst others.
8. DJ Zinhle
Ntombezinhle Jiyane, popularly known as DJ Zinhle, is a South African Female DJ, actress, record producer, media personality and businesswoman. She shot into the limelight as a resident DJ on a youth dance show that aired on SABC 1. She has worked with notable artists in South Africa, as well as headlined the Sisters with Soul Concert with Amanda Black and Zimfest in England.
She has held down the spot of the Top Female DJ for a long time, and she is one of the best DJs in South Africa as well as one of the Richest DJs in South Africa. She has bagged many awards for her works, including the Forbes Woman Africa Entertainer Award in 2020 and the Pan African Artist of the Year award at the Namibian Annual Music Awards in 2020.
9. DJ Cleo
Tlou Cleopas Monyepao, popularly known as DJ Cleo, is a South African DJ, radio & music producer, and songwriter. He started his career as a radio & TV producer before becoming a DJ.
He is a self-taught producer specialising in producing Kwaito, House music, and Hip hop music genres and has made 12 studio albums to this effect. He has also bagged various awards and nominations, including 4 SAMA Awards and 1 Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Award for Best DJ in 2021.
10. Heavy K
Mkhululi Siqula, popularly known as Heavy K, is a South African DJ and music producer focused on the Afro-House music genre. The DJ is associated with Universal Music (Pty) Limited; however, he owns Drumboss Musik.
He started his music career in 2010 and is still one of the best DJs in South Africa. Heavy K has released albums and singles featuring other international artists, such as Ed Sheeran, that music lovers in South Africa appreciate. He is a father that loves family and is working hard to make them proud.
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Conclusion
Disc Jockeys are involved in mixing music and producing exclusive mixtapes to delight and entertainment of their audience and music lovers. The profession is getting more lucrative as there are numerous DJs in South Africa.
However, some DJs have set themselves apart from the crowd by being the best at what they do. The top 10 best DJs in South Africa have made a name for themselves with their mastery and skills in their crafts, and they are well-known in the music industry in South Africa. I would love to know your favourite DJ from the DJs I have reviewed in this piece. Please feel free to tell me in the comment section below.
Cheers!