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Danny K | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Daniel Koppel |
| Born | 8 September 1977 Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Genres | |
| Labels | J23 |
Daniel Koppel (born 8 September 1977), known professionally as Danny K, is a South African singer, songwriter and actor.
|
Danny K | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Daniel Koppel |
| Born | 8 September 1977 Johannesburg, South Africa |
| Genres | |
| Labels | J23 |
Daniel Koppel (born 8 September 1977), known professionally as Danny K, is a South African singer, songwriter and actor.
He was raised by parents, Gavin and Pam Koppel in Johannesburg. [1] He is the eldest of their three children and was educated at King David School, a private Jewish Day School in Linksfield. [2] [1] He graduated with multiple distinctions and was enrolled in Wits University and fully completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law. He later attended Wits Business School at the university and obtained a postgraduate in business management. [1]
Danny K released his first solo single, "Hurts So Bad", in 2000, featuring backing vocals by TK Mhinga. [3] He gained national attention for his R&B-inspired pop sound and became one of South Africa’s best-known male vocalists of the 2000s. Over his career he has been nominated for multiple South African Music Awards (SAMAs) and has won four, along with Kids’ Choice Awards, People’s Choice (Crystal) Awards, the YOU Magazine Award for Best South African Musician, and the South African STYLE Award. [4]
He has collaborated with numerous local artists. His joint album *Same Difference* with the late Kwaito star Mandoza (2005) was a crossover success, blending pop and Kwaito styles. [5] In 2012 he published a book titled *Take It From Me*, part of the "Youngsters" series featuring South African personalities, discussing identity, ambition, social media, and the music business. [6]
K has also appeared in television and film. In 2021 he made a cameo as himself in the Showmax series *Tali’s Baby Diary*. [7] He continues to perform and record, blending R&B, funk, and pop influences in his later work.
Koppel founded the food company KD Foods in 2015. [8] In February 2022 KD Foods acquired the Sweets From Heaven trademark and business out of liquidation. [9] [10] [11] [12]
Reports at the time described a plan to reposition Sweets From Heaven as a pre-packed confectionery brand supplied to major retailers as part of a broader KD Foods growth strategy. [9] [13]
In 2014 Koppel participated in the launch of Rocka, a locally developed range of celebrity-branded headphones and earphones, alongside other South African artists. [14]
In 2020 Sunday Times reported that Koppel was involved in cannabis-oil business ventures. [15]
In 2007, Danny K co-founded the non-profit organisation **SHOUT for a Safer South Africa** (SHOUT) with musician Kabelo Mabalane, following the murder of reggae star Lucky Dube. [16] The campaign began as an anti-crime movement using music and media to promote unity and social responsibility.
The charity’s debut single, a remake of *"Shout"*, became one of South Africa’s biggest full-track download initiatives, raising funds for crime prevention projects. [17] Follow-up releases *"You’re the Voice"* (2012) and *"Smile"* (2015) expanded SHOUT’s mission into education and literacy, raising funds to build school libraries across the country. [18]
Partnering with **Breadline Africa**, **Architects of Justice**, **BBDO South Africa**, and **LEAD SA**, SHOUT developed the modular **S.E.E.D. Library** (Schools Enterprise and Education Development) design for quick installation in township and rural schools. [19]
As of 2025, SHOUT has built **over 10 fully equipped libraries** in schools across South Africa — including in Soweto, Mitchells Plain, Phalaborwa, Kuruman, and other under-resourced communities — serving thousands of learners each week. [20] The organisation remains active in literacy, youth empowerment, and safe education access.
In 2012, Koppel married Lisa Gundelfinger. The couple have 3 children together. [21]
Won | |||
| Award | Granting Body | Place | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Pop Album for Same Difference | SAMA | Johannesburg | 2007 |
| Best Pop Album for This Is My Time | SAMA | Johannesburg | 2007 |
| Best Collaboration (with Mandoza) | Channel O [22] | 2006 | |
| Best S.A. Musician | YOU magazine | Johannesburg | |
| Best Dressed Male | S.A. Style | Johannesburg | |
| Best South African Artist | Kids' Choice Awards | Johannesburg | |
Nominated | |||
| Award | Granting body | Place | Year |
| Best Pop | MTV Africa Music Awards 2014 [23] | Durban | 2014 |
| Album Information |
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Danny K – 2000
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J23 – 2003
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Same Difference (with Mandoza) – 2005
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This Is My Time – 2006 [24]
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Across The Line – 2010
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| Good Look – 2013 [25] [26] |
| Brown Eyes – 2013 (single) |
| Feels Good To Me – 2013 (single) |
| Lit - 2017 (single) |
| Things We Do – 2018 (single) |
| Authority control databases: Artists |
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