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Black Coffee and Zakes Bantwini’s international gigs put their frosty friendship in the spotlight
The Grammy winning artists are performing in New York and London respectively on the same day.
The two Grammy award winners in Black Coffee and Zakes Bantwini, right, are performing on two different continents as their relationship seems to be in a frosty state. Pictures: realblackcoffee,zakesbantwini/Instagram
Musician Zakes Bantwini will perform in London for the first time this weekend, this as former collaborator Black Coffee breaks new ground at Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York on the same day.
The two’s relationship came under the spotlight in 2021 after the release of Bantwini’s hit song, Osama.
The song was so big that a number of netizens saw it as the song of 2021. It sits on Bantwini’s Spotify as his most streamed song, with more than 17 million listened.
Coffee’s shade
Unprovoked, Black Coffee went on Twitter to also give the song its due praises, but there was a tinge of shadiness when he said he still preferred the original version.
Osama…. What a tune!!!!!!!
— Black Coffee (@RealBlackCoffee) August 23, 2021
It is nice but I won’t I still prefer the original.
— Black Coffee (@RealBlackCoffee) August 24, 2021
The pair made magic during previous music collaborations, with Black Coffee being the major producer on Bantwini’s classic 2013 album Love, Light & Music.
ALSO READ: Black Coffee dishes on why certain SA acts aren’t joining him for historic New York gig
We miss this Grootman as your fans. 🥲 pic.twitter.com/s6ok5xv5bS
— C A D R E (@Asekhona_Ntloko) August 25, 2021
No there's no conflict,we had our differences and both agreed not to have a working relationship anymore.
— Black Coffee (@RealBlackCoffee) August 25, 2021
Where is Zakes?
The paucity of Bantwini from the line-up in Black Coffee’s show was glaring. Speaking at his send-off party last week in Joburg ahead of his MSG performance, Black Coffee explained why he selected certain artists for this gig.
“I have a song with Shekhinah, but couldn’t include it to my set, I just did a remix for a Snoh Aalegra song and could’ve had her at the show, but the song doesn’t fit the set. I build a set based on just music and then the artists would come through that selection,” said the Grammy award-winning producer at his send-off party in Fourways.
Some of the artists who will be supporting Black Coffee include Msaki, Superman singer Bucie and Major League DJz.
“Bucie had to be there, she deserves that spot more than anyone, I would have loved to see Zakes also but is all good,” commented Boitshwarelo Sebake on Instagram.
“Imagine if Zakes Bantwini slid down the stage for a surprise performance,” Miss G wishfully commented.
London takeover
The Grammy award winning Bantwini will ironically be performing at an event called We Are Friends in London, UK.
This morning Bantwini teased fans with a short film, Voices, which features seasoned actress Moshidi Motshegwa, Khaya Mthethwa and will be premiered at the Loeries on Thursday afternoon.
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