Overview
Hailing from South Africa, Themba Nkosi—more commonly known by his onstage moniker, a stylized version of his first name, THEMBA—channels a great deal of his heritage into his music, weaving the sounds of his home into the house and techno genres that he also inhabits. His sound is a slowed-down take on these genres with a meditative, even mystical, bent, one which transports listeners and has critics, tastemakers, and superstar artists all equally taking note.
Since his 2018 global debut in the dance music world, THEMBA has racked up a slew of accolades that are each impressive in their own right. Most notable is Nkosi’s long standing support from the legendary Black Coffee, who is also a native of South Africa. The two have shared the stage numerous times, at venues like Cape Town, South Africa’s Shimmy Beach Bar and Ibiza’s Hï.
THEMBA has also earned nods from the likes of Pete Tong, who chose the artist’s Miami Music Week set as a BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix, as well as artists like Adam Beyer, Hot Since 82, Damian Lazarus, and more. His 2021 track, “Ashamed,” featuring Brendan Praise, a fellow native of South Africa, received a true celebrity treatment with a remix by The Martinez Brothers.
THEMBA has taken his unique sound to clubs and venues across the globe including Las Vegas’s Zouk, Toronto’s Noir, and Madrid’s LABtheCLUB, to name just a few. The artist also has his own event series at Ibiza’s Club Chinois, called Colours, which takes over the venue on Wednesdays. In addition to making his mark on the world of dance music, Nkosi also hopes to make a difference in the wider world by becoming an ambassador for Bridges for Music, a charity that provides young musicians the tools to learn and grow their skills.
