Nitefreak

Nitefreak
Birth name	Bhekinkosi Melusi Mabhena
Born	(1991-09-21) 21 September 1991 (age 33) Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Genres	House
Occupations	DJ record producer
Years active	2009–present
Labels	Deep Root Records Spinnin' Deep Grooveland Africa Higher Ground (Mad Decent)

Bhekinkosi Melusi Mabhena ^[1] (born 21 September 1991), known by the stage name of Nitefreak, is a Zimbabwean DJ and music producer. ^[2]

Early life

Bhekinkosi Mabhena was born on born 21 September 1991 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. ^[3] He began DJing in 2009 after his friend introduced him to music production software FL Studio. ^[4]

Musical career

Nitefreak first started out as a beat-maker and music producer selling beats to local artists in Zimbabwe. ^[5]

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. ^{[6] [7]}

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). ^[8]

"Gorah" by Nitefreak and Emmanuel Jal was released on 3 November 2023. ^[9]

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. ^[10]

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Certifications	Album
		ZA
"Premier Gaou"	2021	—	SNEP: Gold [11]	Non-album single
"Ode Ireti" (Nitefreak Remix) (&Friends, Nitefreak featuring eL_Jay & Oluwadamvic)	2022	—		Non-album single
"Kamili" (Francis Mercier, Nitefreak, Idd Aziz)	2023	—		Non-album single
"Pesa Esengo" (Nitefreak, Claudia León, Bibi Den's Tshibayi)		—		Non-album single
"Vom" (Nitefreak, Miishu, featuring Stevo Atambire)		—		Non-album single
"Desert Storm" (Afro Exotiq, Nitefreak)		—		Non-album single
"Ike Onu" (Nitefreak, & friends featuring Phina Asa)		—		Non-album single
"Gorah" (Nitefreak, Emmanuel Jal)		—		Non-album single
"Savior" (Nitefreak, Mole, Coco)	2024	—		Non-album single
"Asara (Nitefreak, Laureano featuring Bambo Cissokho)		—		Non-album single
"Gorah" (Francis Mercier Midnight Mix) (Nitefreak, Emmanuel Jal)		—		Non-album single
"Maithori" (Nitefreak, Frigid Armadillo, IDRIS, Nes Mburu)	2025	—		Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2023	Himself	Outstanding Club DJ	Won	[8] [12]
		Outstanding Ambassador (Worldwide)	Won
		Outstanding Male Artiste	Nominated
	Premier Gaou (Remix)	Outstanding Arts Song of the Year	Won
		Outstanding Kwaito/House/Gqom	Nominated

Skyz Metro FM Music Awards

Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result	Ref.
2017	"Woza Kimi" featuring Kemm Vocals	Best Kwaito/Gqom	Nominated	[13] [14]

References

1. "EL LLANTO". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
2. "Meet Nitefreak the Good Music DJ, Beat-Maker & Remixer". Ingudukazi. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
3. "Meet Nitefreak the Good Music DJ, Beat-Maker & Remixer". Ingudukazi. 7 October 2022. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
4. "DJ Nitefreak eyes international market". Chronicle. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
5. "Nitefreak Biography". Shop Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
6. "Nitefreak featured on 1001Tracklist's The Future Of Dance 2023 List celebrating the genres top producers". enthuse Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
7. "Nitefreak - On The Record #170". Mix Cloud. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
8. "Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards 2023: Nitefreak leads the way with the most nominations". enthuse Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
9. "NITEFREAK AND EMMANUEL JAL RELEASE NEW Single "GORAH"". Canadian Ravers. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
10. "In Conversation: Francis Mercier, Michael Brun And Nitefreak On Black History Month". Forbes .
11. "LES CERTIFICATIONS - SNEP (France)". 2023-08-31. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
12. "Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards 2023: Full Winners List". enthuse Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
13. https://www.chronicle.co.zw/skyz-metro-reveals-awards-nominees/
14. https://youthvillage.co.zw/sport-entertainment/the-2017-skyz-metro-fm-music-awards-nominees/attachment/sandra-ndebele-new/

External links

• Nitefreak on Beatport