The Wynn Nightlife DJ roster is packed with stars from various dance music genres, and one of the most anticipated new additions launches his residency Sunday. Skyrocketing South African producer Black Coffee takes the decks at XS for the first time on March 25, with support from Brooklyn duo (and fellow Ibiza) mainstays Bedouin.
We spoke with Black Coffee (real name: Nkosinathi Maphumulo) right before his Wynn residency was announced at the start of 2018 to get a better understanding of how his music could take the sound of the Strip in new directions:
What are your first impressions of Las Vegas? It’s bigger than I thought, and the quality is amazing. Generally it’s a really amazing place and very different from what I’ve seen on TV and how we know it from the movies.
Did your residency come from another relationship or did Wynn Nightlife just contact you? They contacted my manager. We had no relationship with the group or anyone as far as the artists are concerned, it just happened. And it’s very exciting, because I consider myself to be in a different space musically. I’m from South Africa, and I’m a bit of an underdog. I’ve always seen my music as the type that will never be mainstream.
Since your music is a bit different from what we normally hear in Vegas clubs, how do you describe your sound? It’s house music with a lot of soul, a lot of song, color and texture. I get a lot of different comments. It’s sexy house music, the vocals are amazing and spiritual and it’s all these different things, but [they] still punch at the same time. But the punch is not a dry punch. It’s colorful. And it works everywhere.
You have a lot of artists in the U.S. and all over lining up to collaborate with you. Any particular projects you’re looking forward to? Even before the Drake track [2017’s “Get It Together”] I was working with different producers doing Puff Daddy’s album, and before that there were guys like Puff who understood who I am and what I’m trying to do and wanted me to come onboard. It’s [exciting], but I’m also very aware of my story and what I’m trying to tell. I’m definitely not going to be everywhere, no matter how much the demand is. I want to work with people as much as it fits into what I’m trying to do as I grow as an artist, also recognizing that these artists are very open-minded and I can learn a lot from them at the same time.
BLACK COFFEE March 25, 10:30 p.m., $25-$45. XS at Encore, 702-770-7300.
