All Segments
How I Became The Worlds Best DJ With Only One Arm: Black Coffee | E183
35 segments available
Black Coffee is one of the biggest DJs in the world, and one of the largest musical artists to ever come out of Africa full stop. Charging up to $300,000 a set, he’s one of the most coveted and in-demand DJs in the game today. Topics: 0:00 Intro 01:51 Early years 09:18 Are you good with emotion 13:20 What role did music play in your household 20:02 The most pivotal day of your life 32:36 Did the accident make you work harder 37:53 Where you were going to be in 2 years 41:43 Why you over anyone else 44:44 Trouble with record labels telling you how to sound 49:29 How many show have you done this year 52:28 Therapy 54:17 The difference between you (Nathi) & black coffee 01:00:31 What is your happiness 01:02:43 Are there any words you find difficult to say? 01:04:54 The last guest question Black Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/realblackcoffee/ https://twitter.com/realblackcoffee Listen on: Apple podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-diary-of-a-ceo-by-steven-bartlett/id1291423644 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7iQXmUT7XGuZSzAMjoNWlX FOLLOW ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steven/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SteveBartlettSC Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-bartlett-56986834/ Sponsors Intel - https://g2ul0.app.link/Yh8T9b2KNtb Huel - https://g2ul0.app.link/G4RjcdKNKsb BlueJeans - https://g2ul0.app.link/NCgpGjVNKsb
Segments Timeline
The Day That Changed Everything
Black Coffee recounts the traumatic day of his accident, describing the fear and confusion he felt in the hospital. He reflects on how music became a source of peace and healing during his recovery, emphasizing its importance in his life and his desire to share that healing with others.
"we just had this sound and it was a car just rammed through the crowd and I just blacked out Make some noise for black CFE I hardly had a child who I was always working and I used to hate it growing u..."
Childhood Lessons from Hardship
In this segment, Black Coffee shares insights from his childhood, highlighting the challenges he faced growing up in a tough environment. He discusses the influence of his grandmother, who raised him with a strong work ethic, and how these experiences shaped his character and determination.
"my childhood where I come from those things scare me why do those things scare you cuz it's a story it was for years hard for me to share so what happened is I before this conversation starts I've got..."
The Role of Family in Shaping Identity
Black Coffee reflects on his family dynamics, particularly the absence of his father and the strong presence of his grandmother. He discusses how these relationships influenced his upbringing and contributed to his sense of responsibility and independence from a young age.
"you um when I was born my my parents were were married my mom was super young I was the first one um two other siblings at the time uh my M married very extremely young probably like 22 23 already wit..."
Finding Strength in Solitude
In this segment, Black Coffee talks about the loneliness he experienced as a child due to his responsibilities. He explains how this solitude helped him develop a strong sense of self and confidence, but also acknowledges the emotional costs of being a loner.
"this Bit by Bit by Bit And as a kid I was there and I saw it whatever little money she would have she would buy the bricks it will wait she buy sand it waits she buy gravel it waits everything slowly ..."
Navigating Emotions as a Black Man
Black Coffee discusses the challenges he faced in expressing emotions, particularly as a black man. He reflects on the generational cycles of emotional repression and how he strives to be a better role model for his children, contrasting his upbringing with his parenting style.
"no other way and so for the few years she would make sure I'm up she would make sure you know I'm on time and eventually it was my thing she didn't have to wake me up she didn't have to tell me when t..."
The Power of Music as an Escape
In this segment, Black Coffee shares how music served as an escape from his challenging childhood. He describes the joy and peace it brought him, allowing him to dream of a better life and ultimately leading him to pursue a career in music.
"he was you know um yet my grandmother was the she was the man and a woman so she's the one who basically and I used to hate it growing up because I just felt like well when when am I going to become a..."
Early Influences and Musical Beginnings
Black Coffee reminisces about his early exposure to music within his family. He recalls the joy of dancing and the influence of his uncle's music collection, which sparked his passion for music and laid the foundation for his future career as a DJ.
"father figure the situation of you growing up in a house where you didn't have a electricity you're milking cows your your you know your food is cooked by you creating a fire Etc what is what is the c..."
Curiosity and the Journey to DJing
In this segment, Black Coffee describes his curiosity about music and how it led him to become a DJ. He shares anecdotes about his early experiences with sound systems and how he learned the craft, highlighting his determination to pursue his passion.
"myself uh without needing people you know and that has like affected a lot of like personal relationships where if I just feel a little bit uneasy I will just remove myself and it's not hard for me be..."
Roots of Musical Passion
Black Coffee shares his early memories of music within a large family setting, where his uncle's love for reggae ignited his passion for music. He recalls dancing with family during summer days and how music became an integral part of his childhood, shaping his future as a DJ.
"like your your family or your yeah um before we moved uh uh to to my grandmother's place in the Eastern Cape the structure of my family back then was my entire family lived in one house or not entire ..."
The Journey to DJing
In this segment, Black Coffee recounts how he transitioned from a curious child to a DJ. He describes his experiences with mobile sound systems at local events and how he developed a unique style of mixing music, leading to his recognition as a main DJ at events by the age of 14.
"me that's why I never knew what I would do with it you know uh but I just knew I wherever it is sometimes they will send me to to the shops and in the township sometimes there will be like a big Coca-..."
Diverse Musical Influences
Black Coffee discusses his exposure to various music genres, including jazz, gospel, and classical music, while studying. He reflects on how these experiences prepared him for a significant performance with a 24-piece orchestra, showcasing his versatility as a DJ.
"became their main DJ you know by 145 I was like their main DJ and the people booking them would tell them bring that black boy I like super dark as a kid bring him you know and then I was more cheer t..."
The Pivotal Day: Mandela's Release
On February 10, 1990, Black Coffee recounts a life-changing event when he witnessed the jubilations surrounding Nelson Mandela's release from prison. He shares the chaos that ensued when a car drove into the crowd, leading to a traumatic experience that would alter his life forever.
"February pivotal day in your life yeah tell me about that day man 1990 yeah I was talking to to someone about it cuz it's a story that it was for years hard for me to share you know and I'm in a bette..."
The Aftermath of the Accident
Following the tragic accident, Black Coffee describes his injuries and the challenges he faced in the hospital. He explains the severity of his condition, including the dislocation of his shoulder and the uncertainty surrounding the future of his arm, which led to a long recovery process.
"and he stayed there for hours actually without anyone coming for him cuz I remember this happened around 4: in the morning went to a hospital around maybe 30 minutes later the cars took us to hospital..."
Acceptance and Resilience
In this segment, Black Coffee reflects on the emotional journey of accepting his condition after the accident. He shares how he learned to adapt to his new reality, focusing on independence and overcoming challenges without seeking pity, ultimately shaping his identity as an artist.
"piano uh like lessons and we used to play recorders and so I went through a phase where it really affected me and and just over time I was like actually I have a life to live when you say you went thr..."
Embracing His Identity
Black Coffee discusses the decision to share his story publicly in 2017, emphasizing his desire to be recognized for his music rather than his disability. He reflects on how he navigated his career while managing perceptions about his arm, ultimately embracing his identity as a successful DJ.
"it's supposed to this happened to you when you were 14 but you didn't share it with the world until 2017 in in a Facebook post yeah because as an artist I just felt like I did not want to be seen as t..."
Fueling the Passion for Music
Black Coffee discusses how his disability motivated him to work harder as a DJ. He describes the challenges of performing with one arm and how his love for music drove him to practice relentlessly. This segment illustrates his dedication and the lengths he went to pursue his passion.
"comfortable like this and over time it became you know a thing cuz also being um the introvert that I am it helps me in not explaining myself cuz everyone even now there's [Music] um there's things li..."
Mastering the Craft
In this segment, Black Coffee talks about his journey from practicing DJing for hours daily to developing his unique style. He reflects on how his experiences shaped his approach to music and performance, emphasizing the importance of practice and self-discovery in becoming a successful DJ.
"made me in that sense not even in a sense of who's going to employ me I'm [ __ ] my life is a mess it was like if there's one thing I'm not going to lose is music you know I won't stop I have to be a ..."
The Evolution of a DJ
Black Coffee shares insights into his growth as a DJ, contrasting his early, energetic style with his current, more refined approach. He discusses the importance of understanding oneself as an artist and how his journey has led to a deeper connection with his music.
"to be ready like one day when someone says you're a DJ I'm must boldly say yeah am you know and I look now and I play sometimes I'm like man you good like I look at I'm like wow you know because I dev..."
The Role of Awards and Recognition
In this segment, Black Coffee reflects on the significance of awards in his career. He discusses how he initially felt pressure to achieve recognition but ultimately focuses on creating quality music. This highlights his perspective on success and the balance between ambition and authenticity.
"driving doesn't mean you're going to come on the road and drive like you were on the advanced driving school you know it's just understanding and knowing like when I look at this thing it's part of me..."
Vision for the Future
Black Coffee recounts a pivotal moment in his early 20s when asked about his future. He shares his modest yet clear aspirations and how they shaped his career trajectory. This segment emphasizes the importance of having a vision and the courage to pursue it, even in challenging times.
"your 20 odd grams of protein you get your 26 vitamins and minerals and it's nutritionally complete in the protein space there's lots of things but it's hard to find something that is nice especially w..."
Intentionality in Music
In this segment, Black Coffee discusses the importance of being intentional about his music and collaborations. He explains how he prioritizes quality over mainstream success, focusing on creating music that resonates with him. This reflects his artistic integrity and commitment to his craft.
"know which actually I'm proud of that because it could have been worse you know I could have said I want to be number one I want to be the best [ __ ] I would I would have said something crazy like Pu..."
Comfort in Creativity
Black Coffee shares his philosophy on creativity, emphasizing comfort and authenticity in his work. He discusses how being true to himself allows him to produce music that feels genuine. This segment highlights the significance of self-awareness and comfort in the creative process.
"I'm I'm fighting for you know uh and it's a little boy in me who was milking cows who had no friends who is like I can especially coming from where I come from and that's it it's never really about I'..."
The Balance of DJing and Producing
In this final segment, Black Coffee reflects on his dual role as a DJ and producer. He discusses how he balances these aspects of his career and the importance of understanding his identity as an artist. This encapsulates his journey and the evolution of his musical style.
"improve it so the goal is always the same like not to try and go mainstream it's just be comfortable you know you can wake me up tomorrow and be like can you make a song like drive I'll be like I can ..."
The Balance of DJing and Producing
In this segment, Black Coffee discusses the balance between his roles as a DJ and a producer. He highlights the importance of DJing as his core business, which allows him to create music without the pressure of following trends dictated by the industry.
"telling you how you should sound and telling you that if you sound like this then you'll get a number one and it'll be mainstream etc etc how important over the course of your career as you look back ..."
The Journey of a DJ
Black Coffee reflects on his busy schedule, sharing insights into the life of a touring DJ. He compares his experiences to those of sports legends, emphasizing the dedication and hard work required to reach the top of the music industry.
"and and I've been quite fortunate uh in my career from the beginning when I released my first album I released it with the licensing deal meaning I did it on my own and I submitted you know to a label..."
The Importance of Therapy
In this candid discussion, Black Coffee emphasizes the significance of therapy for artists. He shares his personal journey from humble beginnings to fame, highlighting the mental challenges that come with success and the need for self-care and emotional support.
"sense and also it fits the sound that I'm doing that I wanted to you know so I remember one of the songs I released was a song called your eyes with the South African artist called shik brilliant song..."
Balancing Success and Humility
Black Coffee explores the complexities of his identity as both Nathi and Black Coffee. He discusses the challenges of navigating fame while maintaining respect for his roots and the people who supported him along the way.
"so my point is I then separate the two if I want to do a single with an African artist I can do that if I want to do like a Grammy quality kind of work I can still do it but I'm fortunate not to have ..."
Finding Personal Fulfillment
In this segment, Black Coffee shares his thoughts on personal fulfillment and the pressures of success. He reflects on his journey and the importance of living authentically, even as he navigates the complexities of fame and personal relationships.
"shows I think I you know I had I did my little tour of this podcast and we did nine and I was [ __ ] knacked we did nine shows in two months and I was like I need to wait another year before I do that..."
The Transition to New Beginnings
Black Coffee discusses his recent life changes, including his divorce and the emotional journey that comes with it. He shares how these experiences have shaped his perspective on life and relationships, emphasizing the importance of growth and adaptation.
"that's why therapy is such an important thing you know uh for us I mean I I I've had so many different conversations with South African artists um some I've had conflict with and you know when we meet..."
Embracing Change and New Opportunities
In this reflective segment, Black Coffee talks about the significance of change in his life. He shares a personal story about buying a new house and the emotional implications of starting fresh, highlighting the balance between personal desires and familial responsibilities.
"little bit better now in understanding the difference between Nati and black coffee what is the difference between nauy and black coffee the little boy and yourself as a DJ um black coffee has all the..."
A Neighbor's Offer: Building a Legacy
In a serendipitous turn of events, Black Coffee receives a call from his neighbor selling his house, which he sees as a solution to his loneliness. He discusses his vision for creating a 'Black Coffee House' where family and memories can thrive, emphasizing the importance of legacy and the intentionality behind the environment he wants to create for his children.
"my life like I live with my mother so means I can't bring my friends here like we can't have a little party because my mom is in the other room then it bothers me so much and I think and I remember ha..."
Creating Value Through Memories
Black Coffee elaborates on his plans for the future Black Coffee House, where he aims to collect art and memorabilia that reflect his journey and achievements. He envisions a space filled with love and creativity, where his children can grow up surrounded by meaningful experiences and connections with notable figures in the music industry.
"house and in my crazy head the neighbor's house that's where my mom and the children are going to stay that's a naughty house right that's where you're going to find me on the floor on the grass playi..."
The Search for Happiness
Reflecting on his life experiences, Black Coffee discusses the ongoing search for happiness and the realization that it is not a fixed destination. He shares insights on the complexities of adult life, the importance of ticking boxes of fulfillment, and how happiness evolves through different stages and experiences.
"door you know in a normal setting where uh they're not exposed to or um their lives are normal you know you know like having a day with the kids in the pool and then Drake's walk Drake is walking in y..."
Words Left Unsaid
Black Coffee opens up about the difficulty of expressing love in his family, particularly with his mother. He reflects on the cultural barriers that make such expressions challenging and emphasizes the importance of breaking these patterns to foster open communication and affection with his own children.
"back in the house family environment yeah and then you get the mother back in and the mom comes in you go [ __ ] actually no um the day my divorce is signed how do I celebrate you know it can't be in ..."
The Last Guest Question: Favorite Sound
In a reflective moment, Black Coffee answers a question posed by the previous guest about his favorite sound. He shares that laughter represents happiness for him, tying it back to the universal human pursuit of joy and connection, and expresses gratitude for the meaningful conversations throughout the podcast.
"know uh which is where the the small boys Journey end you know because if it was the small boys boxes to tick by now we will be done you understand so there's boxes of an adult like you're saying you ..."