Black Coffee defies pro-Palestine anger, says he played in Israel to feed his family

Reaction to House music DJ Black Coffee’s decision to perform in Israel has divided social media, with the issue taking the musician to the top of the trends list on Monday.

Politicians, other celebrities and commentators have joined the fray after the musician, real name Nkosinathi Maphumulo, performed on Saturday at Gan Ha-Slaim (The Rocks Garden) in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Thank you @the.tripping I Love you Telaviv ❤️
Now off to @AwakeningFestiv afternoon set and Venice at night.#Godsveryown #soldout pic.twitter.com/UO2rJDhCZ3

— Black Coffee (@RealBlackCoffee) March 31, 2018

Black Coffee responded by noon on Monday saying that he felt no need to be treated politically, as he was an artist and entertainer and simply earning a living for his family.

He said he’d take a bullet for his family.

The artist has achieved global success and some reports give him a net worth of nearly R30 million.

https://twitter.com/RealBlackCoffee/status/980747065486643200

It’s also not the first time the artist has performed in Israel, a country that South Africa’s ruling ANC has made statements against regarding its treatment of Palestinians.

Like everyone else I have rights and free will and no Black Coffee is not a political party…I work as an entertainer to feed my Family.
To sum it up….I'll take a bullet for my Family.

— Black Coffee (@RealBlackCoffee) April 2, 2018

His decision had earlier been called a “national disgrace” by some, with the EFF’s Floyd Shivambu tweeting that the DJ was being “morally and politically insensitive”.

However, he has also seen many in favour of his move and defending him, which has only caused the issue to trend even more.

Take a look at some reactions:

South Africa’s isolation and the Academic & Cultural boycott are part of the reasons Apartheid capitulated to the call for freedom. It is morally & politically insensitive for DJ Black Coffee to just go on partying in Apartheid Israel, whilst it kills & oppresses innocent people.

— Floyd Shivambu (@FloydShivambu) April 2, 2018

Retweet if you think Black Coffee playing in Israel this week, while Israel murdered children with snipers, is a national disgrace.

— Bram Hanekom (@bram_hanekom) April 2, 2018

https://twitter.com/Msomifaya/status/980393781336985605

I wish black coffee understood that this is bigger than him.

Zionist are very clever. Now our flag is flying there where the Palestinian flag is banned 💔

The audacity. https://t.co/EX8aJ4eJZg

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— 🇿🇦🇵🇸 (@ThisIsPalo) April 1, 2018

https://twitter.com/Mtamerri/status/980757560612589571

Last time he went to Israel I sent him multiple tweets about how artists performing in Israel is whitewashing Israeli Apartheid and Palestinians human rights violations, he blocked me. Black Coffee is Trash! 🚮🚮

— Bogobe Connoisseur (@alikomape) April 1, 2018

http://twitter.com/ibadaan/status/980368239338369025

You people have a problem with Black Coffee playing in Israel? Misunu nitya kwa Woolworths the same co. that imports food from Israel 😒😒😒

— “Selfish git” (@TaMundakuwe) April 1, 2018

People are condemning Black Coffee for performing in apartheid Israel and wena you’re telling us about Woolies.

Were you questioning your parents why they bought from white shops during apartheid when they simultaneously fought apartheid? pic.twitter.com/9yxHQhT3rz

— Sentletse 🇷🇺🇿🇦🇵🇸 (@Sentletse) April 2, 2018

https://twitter.com/Slindo_M/status/980760108669046786

https://twitter.com/OwaFlopo/status/980758639827963904

I thought this thread was done but I'm still annoyed so ALSO:

Stop acting like artists like Black Coffee are sitting at home eating bread and water and thus playing in Israel is taking them out of poverty. It's bloody disingenuous.

— Titty Mboweni* 🇵🇸 (@PearlPillay) April 1, 2018

I'll never boycott Black Coffee's music. You Fake Twitter activists la nya

— Thomas Shelby Stan Acc (@SaMmapago) April 2, 2018

https://twitter.com/OwaFlopo/status/980759215168999424

https://twitter.com/ItsRiriBaby/status/980546844592926720

My leader,please can black coffee makes his money in peace

— khensani (@zsk2111) April 2, 2018

https://twitter.com/SpokenSam/status/977445349714464768