Nitefreak
{{Short description|Zimbabwean DJ and music producer}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Nitefreak
| image =
| image_size =
| birth_name = Bhekinkosi Melusi Mabhena
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1991|09|21}}
| alias =
| birth_place = Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
| genre = House
| occupation = {{hlist|DJ|record producer}}
| years_active = 2009–present
| label = {{hlist|Deep Root Records|Spinnin' Deep|Grooveland Africa|Higher Ground (Mad Decent)}}
| associated_acts = {{hlist|DJ Francis Mercier|Idd Aziz| Magic System}}
}}
Bhekinkosi Melusi Mabhena{{cite web|url=https://www.ascap.com/repertory#/ace/search/workID/916458852 |title=EL LLANTO |website=ASCAP |publisher=American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers |access-date=March 20, 2025}} (born 21 September 1991), known by the stage name of Nitefreak, is a Zimbabwean DJ and music producer.{{cite web|title= Meet Nitefreak the Good Music DJ, Beat-Maker & Remixer|date=7 October 2022 |url=https://ingudukazi.co.zw/meet-nitefreak-good-music-dj-beat-maker-remixer/|work=Ingudukazi|access-date=2024-07-12}}
Early life
Bhekinkosi Mabhena was born on born 21 September 1991 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.{{cite web|work=Ingudukazi|access-date=2024-07-12|title=Meet Nitefreak the Good Music DJ, Beat-Maker & Remixer|date=7 October 2022 |url=https://ingudukazi.co.zw/meet-nitefreak-good-music-dj-beat-maker-remixer/}} He began DJing in 2009 after his friend introduced him to music production software FL Studio.{{cite web|title= DJ Nitefreak eyes international market|work=Chronicle|access-date=2024-07-12|url=https://www.chronicle.co.zw/dj-nitefreak-eyes-international-market/}}
Musical career
Nitefreak first started out as a beat-maker and music producer selling beats to local artists in Zimbabwe.{{cite web|title= Nitefreak Biography|url=http://shomag.com/nitefreak-biography/|work=Shop Magazine|access-date=2024-07-12}}
His remix single "Premier Gaou" by Francis Mercier & Magic System was released on 15 March 2021. The song was certified Gold by Syndicat national de l'édition phonographique (SNEP).
In May 2023, Nitefreak was enlisted by 1001Tracklist's The Future Of Dance.{{cite web|work=enthuse Magazine |url=https://enthusemag.com/buzzin/nitefreak-featured-on-1001tracklists-2023-the-future-of-dance-list-celebrating-the-genres-top-producers/|access-date=2024-07-12|title=Nitefreak featured on 1001Tracklist’s The Future Of Dance 2023 List celebrating the genres top producers}}{{cite web |title=Nitefreak - On The Record #170|work=Mix Cloud|access-date =2024-07-11|url=https://m.mixcloud.com/ontherecradio/nitefreak-on-the-record-170/}}
Nitefreak received the most nominations at the 2023 Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards, for Outstanding Male Artiste, Outstanding Kwaito/House/Gqom and won Outstanding Club DJ, Outstanding Song of the Year, and Outstanding (Worldwide Ambassador).
"Gorah" by Nitefreak and Emmanuel Jal was released on 3 November 2023.{{cite web|url=http://canadianravers.com/blog1/2023/11/3/nitefreak-and-emmanuel-jal-release-new-single-gorah|work=Canadian Ravers|title=NITEFREAK AND EMMANUEL JAL RELEASE NEW Single “GORAH”|date=3 November 2023|access-date=2024-07-12}}
=Other projects=
On 28 February 2023, Nitefreak, Francis Mercier and Michael Brun were interviewed by Forbes magazine contributor Lisa Kocay as part of their Black History Month campaign.{{cite web|title= In Conversation: Francis Mercier, Michael Brun And Nitefreak On Black History Month| website=Forbes | url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisakocay/2023/02/28/in-conversation-francis-mercier-michael-brun-and-nitefreak-on-black-history-month/?sh=3209afc87685&fbclid=PAAaY_FmvTjiaBIPbaAiymV0P4V4iW4LmN8Hqr7JSMvIwbIBZThlpzPMN5gf0}}
Singles
=As lead artist=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name |
| scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album |
|---|
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:100%;"|ZA |
| scope="row" | "Premier Gaou"
|2021 |— |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Ode Ireti" (Nitefreak Remix) (&Friends, Nitefreak featuring eL_Jay & Oluwadamvic)
|2022 |— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Kamili" (Francis Mercier, Nitefreak, Idd Aziz)
|rowspan=6|2023 |— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Pesa Esengo" (Nitefreak, Claudia León, Bibi Den's Tshibayi)
|— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Vom" (Nitefreak, Miishu, featuring Stevo Atambire)
|— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Desert Storm" (Afro Exotiq, Nitefreak)
|— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Ike Onu" (Nitefreak, & friends featuring Phina Asa)
|— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Gorah" (Nitefreak, Emmanuel Jal)
|— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Savior" (Nitefreak, Mole, Coco)
|rowspan=3|2024 |— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Asara (Nitefreak, Laureano featuring Bambo Cissokho)
|— | |{{non-album single}} |
| scope="row" | "Gorah" (Francis Mercier Midnight Mix) (Nitefreak, Emmanuel Jal)
|— | |{{non-album single}} |
| colspan="8" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. |
Awards and nominations
=Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards=
{{Awards table}}
!{{abbrv|Ref.|References}}
|-
|rowspan=5|2023
|rowspan=3|Himself
|Outstanding Club DJ
|{{won}}
|rowspan=5| {{cite web|access-date=2024-07-13|title=Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards 2023: Nitefreak leads the way with the most nominations|work=enthuse Magazine|url=https://enthusemag.com/buzzin/roil-bulawayo-arts-awards-2023-nitefreak-leads-the-way-with-the-most-nominations/}}{{cite web|access-date=2024-07-13|title=Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards 2023: Full Winners List|url=https://enthusemag.com/buzzin/roil-bulawayo-arts-awards-2023-full-winners-list/|work=enthuse Magazine}}
|-
|Outstanding Ambassador (Worldwide)
|{{won}}
|-
|Outstanding Male Artiste
|{{nom}}
|-
|Premier Gaou (Remix)
|Outstanding Arts Song of the Year
|{{won}}
|-
|
|Outstanding Kwaito/House/Gqom
|{{nom}}
|-
{{end}}
= Skyz Metro FM Music Awards =
{{Awards table}}
!{{abbrv|Ref.|References}}
|-
|2017
|"Woza Kimi" featuring Kemm Vocals
|Best Kwaito/Gqom
|{{nom}}
|https://www.chronicle.co.zw/skyz-metro-reveals-awards-nominees/https://youthvillage.co.zw/sport-entertainment/the-2017-skyz-metro-fm-music-awards-nominees/attachment/sandra-ndebele-new/
{{end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.beatport.com/artist/nitefreak/733541 Nitefreak on Beatport]
{{authority control}}
Category:Zimbabwean record producers