Themba Sekowe (born 15 November 1987),
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 the biological brother of South African DJ and record producer
Myztro.
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
Extended Play 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 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 & EPs
-
Our Father (2013)
-
Blaqboy Music Presents Gqom Wave (2017)
-
Scorpion Kings EP (2019)
-
The Return of Scorpion Kings (2019)
-
Scorpion King Live At Sun Arena (2020)
-
Once Upon A Time In A Lockdown (2020)
-
Madumane EP (2020)
-
Rumble In The Jungle ) (2021)
-
Banyana EP ) (2021)
-
Ba Straata (2022)
-
The Konka Mixtape : Sweet & Dust (2023)
-
Ngomoya/Rough Dance (with Xduppy) (2025)
-
Kings Will Rise (with Kabza De Small) (2025)
Singles
-
Kwesta
-
Ngud'
-
"Mayibabo"
-
"Afro Trap"
-
Himself
-
Soweto Baby featuring Wizkid and DJ Bucks
-
Kabza De Small
-
Itemba Lam
-
Lorch
-
Hello
-
Inhliziyo
-
Other
-
Banyana featuring Sir Trill Kabza De Small
-
Ba Straata ft 2woshort
Singles produced
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| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Awards and nominations
African Muzik Magazine Awards
!
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|2020
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Himself
|Music Producer of the
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All Africa Music Awards
!
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|rowspan=5|2025
|div style="text-align: center";> rowspan=2|"Dlala ka Yona"
|Artiste of the Year
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|rowspan=5|
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|Best African DJ
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|div style="text-align: center";> rowspan=2|"Abantwana Bakho"
|Producer of the Year
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|Song of the Year
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|div style="text-align: center";>|"Ngomoya"
|Album of the Year
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Dance Music Awards South Africa
!
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|2019
|"Amantombazane"
|Best Amapiano Record
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Dstv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards
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|rowspan="2"|2018
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"Midnight Starring"
| Favourite Song Of the Year
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Himself
| Favourite DJ
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|2022
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Scorpion Kings
| Favourite DJ
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Humanitarian African Prestigious Awards
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|rowspan="2"|
|rowspan="2"|
Himself
|Music Producer of The Year
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|Best DJ Africa
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MTV Africa Music Awards
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|2016
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Himself
|Song of the Year
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|2020
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|Best African Act
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Metro FM Music Awards
!
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|rowspan=3|2024
|rowspan=3 div style="text-align: center";>| "Imithandazo"
| Song of the Year
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|rowspan=3|
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| Best Collaboration
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|Best Amapiano
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|rowspan=4|2025
|"Biri Marung"
|rowspan=2|Best Amapiano Song
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|rowspan=4|
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|rowspan=2|"Yebo Lapho (Gogo)"
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|rowspan=2|Song of the Year
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|"Biri Marung"
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Mzansi Kwaito and House Music Awards
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|2018
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"Midnight Starring"
| Most Voted Song
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|rowspan="3"|2021
|rowspan="3"|
Himself
|Best producer
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|rowspan="3"|Best AmaPiano songs
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SA Amapiano Music Awards
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|2021
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Himself
|Best amapiano male DJ/Act
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Soundcity MVP Awards
!
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|2023
|
Himself
|African DJ of the Year
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External links
