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, gqom, 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, Focalistic, Era Istrefi, Mpura, Young Stunna and 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").
Personal life Themba "DJ Maphorisa" Sekowe was born on 15 November 1987, and raised in Soshanguve, he is of Tsonga and Lobedu descent, he is the biological brother of South African DJ and record producer Myztro. The word “Maphorisa” means “the police” or “policemen” in Tsonga.
Career 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 EP On April 9, 2021, Maphorisa, TRESOR and Kabza De Small released the collaboration studio album Rumble in the Jungle. On April 16, 2021, Anathi 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 Mzansi 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 Maphorisa 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 April 2023, he featured on hit single "Mnike" seeing other producers like Tyler ICU, Nandipha808, Ceeka RSA and Tyron Dee collaborating which featured No.1 on many South African Billboards
In May 2023, he decided to collaborate with Kabza De Small on a 25 tracks mixtape project titled: "The Konka Mixtape: Sweet And Dust."
Controversies Assault Allegations by Thuli Phongolo In May 2023, actress and DJ Thuli Phongolo filed assault charges against DJ Maphorisa, alleging he physically attacked her during an altercation. Maphorisa was arrested and later released on bail. Phongolo subsequently withdrew the charges, leading to public debates about domestic violence and the pressures faced by public figures.
Dispute with Samthing Soweto In September 2024, DJ Maphorisa was involved in a public dispute with singer Samthing Soweto regarding song credits and royalties. Samthing Soweto accused Maphorisa of misrepresenting his contributions and withholding royalties. In response, Maphorisa alleged that Samthing Soweto had not contributed significantly to the song and was bullying producer Mas Musiq. This controversy sparked broader discussions in the South African music industry about artist collaboration and credit attribution. Tours Co-headlining Made in Lagos Tour (2021) (with Wizkid) AmaFest (2021) Piano People Indoor Winter Festival 2023
Discography
Collaborative albums and EPs Year Title Collaborators Notes 2013 Our Father Uhuru 2017 Blaqboy Music Presents Gqom Wave Various artists 2019 Scorpion Kings EP Kabza De Small 2019 The Return of Scorpion Kings Kabza De Small 2020 Scorpion Kings Live at Sun Arena Kabza De Small Live album 2020 Once Upon a Time in a Lockdown Kabza De Small 2020 Madumane EP — 2021 Rumble in the Jungle Kabza De Small, TRESOR 2021 Banyana EP Tyler ICU 2022 Ba Straata Various artists 2023 The Konka Mixtape: Sweet & Dust Kabza De Small 2025 Ngomoya / Rough Dance Xduppy 2025 Kings Will Rise Kabza De Small
Selected singles
With Runtown "The Banger" "Omalicha Nwa"
With Kwesta "Ngud'" "Mayibabo" "Afro Trap"
With Mafikizolo "Khona" "Kucheza" "Love Potion"
With Busiswa "Bazoyenza" "Midnight Starring"
With Kabza De Small "Itemba Lam" "Lorch" "Hello" "Inhliziyo"
With Focalistic "London" (with Madumane) "Trust Fund" (with Mpura)
Other notable collaborations "Soweto Baby" (featuring Wizkid and DJ Bucks) "Banyana" (with Sir Trill and Kabza De Small) "Ba Straata" (featuring 2woshort)
Singles produced
+ List of singles as either producer or co-producer, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album CAN AUS IRL NZ SA UK US USR&B/HH "Ngud'" 2016— — — — 1— — — RiSA: 5× PlatinumDaKAR II "One Dance" 2016 1 1 1 11 1 1 1 ARIA: Gold BPI: Platinum RMNZ: PlatinumViews "Suited" 2017 — — — —1 — — —RiSA: DiamondRose Gold"Midnight Starring" (featuring DJ Tira, Busiswa & Moonchild Sanelly)2017— — — — — — — — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
Awards and nominations African Muzik Magazine Awards
! |- |2020 | Himself |Music Producer of the
All Africa Music Awards
! |- |rowspan=5|2025 |div style="text-align: center";> rowspan=2|"Dlala ka Yona" |Artiste of the Year | |rowspan=5| |- |Best African DJ
|div style="text-align: center";> rowspan=2|"Abantwana Bakho" |Producer of the Year
|Song of the Year
|div style="text-align: center";>|"Ngomoya" |Album of the Year
Dance Music Awards South Africa
! |- |2019 |"Amantombazane" |Best Amapiano Record
Dstv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards
|rowspan="2"|2018 | "Midnight Starring" | Favourite Song Of the Year
| Himself | Favourite DJ
|2022 | Scorpion Kings | Favourite DJ
Humanitarian African Prestigious Awards
|rowspan="2"| |rowspan="2"|Himself |Music Producer of The Year
|Best DJ Africa |
MTV Africa Music Awards
|2016 |Himself |Song of the Year
|2020 | |Best African Act |
Metro FM Music Awards
! |- |rowspan=3|2024 |rowspan=3 div style="text-align: center";>| "Imithandazo" | Song of the Year | |rowspan=3| |- | Best Collaboration
|Best Amapiano
|rowspan=4|2025 |"Biri Marung" |rowspan=2|Best Amapiano Song | |rowspan=4| |- |rowspan=2|"Yebo Lapho (Gogo)"
|rowspan=2|Song of the Year
|"Biri Marung"
|rowspan=5|2026 |div style="text-align: center";> rowspan=2|Himself |Best Male Artist | |rowspan=5| |- | Artist of the Year
|div style="text-align: center";> rowspan=2|"Abantwana Bakho" |Song of the Year
|rowspan=2|Best Amapiano
|div style="text-align: center";>|"Dlala Ka Yona"
Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards
|2018 | "Midnight Starring" | Most Voted Song
|rowspan="3"|2021 |rowspan="3"|Himself |Best producer
|rowspan="3"|Best AmaPiano songs
SA Amapiano Music Awards
|2021 |Himself |Best amapiano male DJ/Act |
Soundcity MVP Awards
! |- |2023 | Himself |African DJ of the Year
References
External links