Black Coffee now holds significant equity share in South Africa’s oldest independent record label, Gallo Music Group. The DJ and producer has suggested that his acquisition marks the beginning of an era of “renewal and fairness” for the country’s creatives.
According to Music Business Worldwide, Gallo has been in business for 90 years. The label has released music by such notable South African acts as Lucky Dube, Sipho Hotstix Mabuse, Dorothy Masuka, Mango Groove, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Stimela.
In a Facebook post, Black Coffee (real name Nkosinathi Innocent Maphumulo) shared a positive outlook on what his buy-in means for South African music. “This deal is important because its not about me, its about what this means for the collective SA Music community…” he wrote. “…Its about changing the narrative from what was a highly exploitative system, to one of renewal and fairness.”
The specific terms of Maphumulo’s agreement with Gallo Music Group have not been disclosed.
