SONA, DJ Black Coffee's son, will bring his Afro-house pulse to Soundstorm

Written by:
Jumira Hancock
19th November 2025

SONA, son of renowned DJ and producer Black Coffee, is a rising star, having made a name for himself in the electronic music

Party peeps, get ready to groove with the next-gen beatmaker SONA. We all know the iconic Black Coffee, but now it’s time to meet his eldest child.

Already making waves with a sound and style of his own, SONA is a rising force in electronic music, having captivated global audiences with his powerful, genre-blending sound.

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SONA, born Esona Maphumulo, has kept his musical journey so private because of all the pressure that comes with having a world-renowned DJ as a father. But that hasn’t stopped him from making music – something he’s incredibly passionate about. SONA takes creative liberties to find his sound, setting him apart from Black Coffee’s Afro-house legacy.

Making his own moves and seizing every opportunity, the 26-year-old has emerged as a rising star in his own right. Notably, he produced track number three, “Texts Go Green”, on Drake’s seventh album, “Honestly, Nevermind”, under his moniker SONA. Having Drake sing on his beat is a testament to his exceptional talent.

The South African DJ and producer, who launched his career in 2021, has achieved milestones like headlining alongside his father in Ibiza and performing at Tomorrowland in Belgium.

SONA

And soon, you will have the opportunity to experience SONA’s dynamic performance live at MDLBeast Soundstorm this December. Expect afro-house vibes, electronic depth, and that legacy energy he’s learned from his father.

Soundstorm 2025 drops full line-up

Soundstorm, the Middle East’s loudest festival, has recently revealed its full line-up, featuring over 200 artists set to take over Riyadh from Thursday December 11 to Saturday December 13.

Among the new names released are Houston-born icon Don Toliver, who has carved out a place in hip-hop and R&B, bold, boundary-pushing DJ Salvatore Ganacci, and global dance music legend Sebastian Ingrosso.

They are joining the acclaimed DJ Snake, who will be taking over the main stage with none other than Metro Boomin, widely regarded as one of hip-hop’s most visionary producers, pop artist Halsey who seamlessly blends rebellion and vulnerability, genre-blending artist Post Malone, hitmaker Pitbull, one of pop music’s most promising young star Benson Boone, and the one and only Cardi B.

Along with this star-studded line-up, Soundstorm will unveil a totally new experience for its visitors, featuring a revamped festival site and brand-new stage designs. Bringing a whole new pulse to its grounds, Downtown will be completely redesigned, with the site divided into four districts, each named after a cardinal point. With 14 stages, MDLBeast will turn Riyadh into a city of beats.