Prince Kaybee responds to Black Coffee feud as fans debate his global potential

It seems the streets of X never forget. Prince Kaybee’s name is back in the mix after a fan reopened the lid on his long-standing feud with Grammy-winning DJ Black Coffee, and as expected, social media didn’t waste a minute to weigh in.

The drama started when a user threw in a spicy take on Kaybee’s career, suggesting that his fallout with Black Coffee may have cost him a seat at the international table.

“If you didn’t pee in Black Coffee’s face, you would be on the line-up in Ibiza by now.

"Your music is too good, but unfortunately, it is beyond the SA market, only a few listens to that in the country, amapiano are killing it. Here home, just make sure ifebe are jamming to your music.”

Now, that’s one way to give a performance review, unsolicited, unfiltered, and straight from the trenches of X. But instead of clapping back, Kaybee kept his cool.

“I don’t need Black Coffee, and you also made some good points. Be well,” he replied short and "sweet".

Of course, the comments section turned into a full-on group therapy session for music lovers. Some defended Black Coffee’s global dominance, while others rallied behind Kaybee, saying the man’s talent deserves an even bigger stage.

One fan, @QSitholeking commented: “Real talk, it’s time for you to charter the international market bro, you are incredible in every way. Keeping you here at home feels like greed to some of us who actually listen to you, we need to share you with the rest of the world.”

And he’s not wrong. That perspective reflects what’s been said about Kaybee for years that his production quality, sound engineering, and musical depth go far beyond the local scene. 

Another user, @HoChaNumber, took a more technical angle, comparing the two stars:

“To be fair, I love Black Coffee, but if one talks about music production alone, he hasn’t contributed much in the past 6 years or so, and we have crazy producers in Mzansi that beat him hands down. He is, of course, an international brand, but I feel like you are a better producer than him, not sucking up to you, but just an honest analysis from a music follower.”

The difference between being a brand and being a creator. Black Coffee’s success is undeniable; he’s a global icon and a symbol of what African electronic music can do on the world stage.

But fans like @HoChaNumber are hinting that Kaybee’s still in the trenches, building beats that push the craft forward. In other words: Coffee might own the passport stamps, but Kaybee’s got the creative firepower.

This isn’t the first time these two have been mentioned in the same breath, and not for the music. Their tension goes way back, playing out over interviews and timelines. Kaybee has previously called Black Coffee “arrogant”.

Kaybee has been unusually blunt about his stance: he’s publicly said he doesn’t plan to collaborate with Black Coffee and that respect for another artist has to be earned on a personal level.

He’s made clear that recognition and respect are not the same thing; he can acknowledge Black Coffee’s global status without feeling obliged to kowtow to him.

Still, it’s hard to deny that both men have left their mark on South African house music in different ways. Kaybee, known for hits like "Charlotte", "Gugulethu" and "Banomoya", has built his name on soulful, high-energy tracks that travel far beyond our borders.

Black Coffee, on the other hand, continues to dominate global stages, from Ibiza to Coachella, as one of Africa’s most successful DJs.