Moses Mabhida Stadium was abuzz this past Friday as house music junkies congregated to witness their favourite local and international DJ‘s do what they do best on the decks. The impressive line up that included the best DJ‘s and musicians the world has to offer, set the spectacularly transformed stadium ablaze with their hot tunes.

Scheduled to last for 12 hours (from 12pm to 12am), the Vodacom Unlimited Festival provided plenty of music to keep the revellers on their feet.

Arriving at the stadium around 2pm, people were trickling in, in numbers. The music could be heard from the outside as I caught up for the next few hours with one of my mentors, Durbantainment‘s Arthur Van Wyk.

When we got inside the magnificent establishment, which was my very first time there, Culoe De Song had just finished his set and Black Motion were doing their thing on the decks. What caught my attention at that moment was the sound of the drums, after which I witnessed someone beating on them on the stage.

Before long, Franck Roger made his way to the turntables. The crowds screamed as the French DJ churned out hit after hit on the decks.

After him was our very own DJ Oskido. Dr Malinga joined him to perform their latest hit. The singer’s dance moves may be overboard, what with pulling the pants up every now and then when he danced, but the fans seemed to utterly enjoy the entertainment. As for Oskido, he is a house music legend and I respect him for his contribution to music in Mzansi in general, but what was up with him saying he had to rush to catch a flight when his fans wanted to take pictures with him? Yet, he was seen thereafter, before an hour was even over, entertaining some Jezabels. Not to mention that he was billed to perform with Black Coffee later on.

Low Deep T serenaded the crowd with his baritone voice. He also didn’t want to be left out in the dance category as he moved to the audience’s delight.

I noticed that Rocco made both men and women scream with each new song he started playing. He was doing magic on the turntables. He seemed to be one of the DJ‘s that was really enjoying himself up there. He was hyping up the crowd. At one point he stopped in the middle of his remix to Liquideep‘s Fairytale, then continued the music again, throwing his hands in the air, much to crowd’s delectation. Rocco was also the only DJ who seemed gleeful to be taking pictures with his fans, even taking one surrounded by them on his phone.

Next on the line up was the trio, Spirit Chasers. The loudest the crowd got was at the end of their performance when they performed their hit These Tears.

Ralf Gum was the last DJ to play before the big show of the day/night. He also span some of his biggest hits, getting the crowds dancing.

And then it was time for the big show. We had been counting down the hours since we arrived at the stadium. The stage was set, the orchestra ready, and everything in place when the man of the moment, Black Coffee, was announced. He sauntered to the stage in a crisp black tuxedo, with a black bow tie and an equally natty white shirt.

Black Coffee in opera mode.

First highlight of the night was that very point when he started singing opera, with the orchestra accompanying him. He confidently delivered a few lines before walking to his DJ box where he spent most of the time in.

Vuyo Tyolo was the first lead vocalist, tackling a new Black Coffee tune called Don’t Give Up. His vocals were utterly exquisite, as I’ve come to realise with each performance I’ve seen him do.

Hot on Vuyo‘s heels was Tshepo (not sure what his surname is), singing Never Saw You Coming. He performance was good, but forgettable.

Next on stage was a young man named Jackie (also not sure of his surname). He sang a song called Masquerade. Jackie‘s performance was fairly good.

It wasn’t long before Bucie got the crowd screaming and singing along to Turn Me On. Seductively dancing, she delivered this hit impeccably.

Another Soulistic signee to brace the stage was Tumelo Ruelo. He performed the Black Coffee-produced hit Arise And Shine, from his debut album of the same title. The crowd was also singing along.

One of my all time favourite Black Coffee songs is You Rock My World. With vocals performed by Soulstar, they got the crowd, and even myself, moving. The chemistry between Soulstar‘s vocals and Black Coffee‘s mixing was palpable.

The next song, titled The Chameleon, featured the legendary Black Moses on organ. On top of Moses‘ exceptional skills on the keys, this is where Black Coffee showcased more of his top-notch mixing skills.

The second female vocalist for the night was Thiwe, singing Crazy. Looking past the excessive glycerine smeared all over her legs, she has a banging body. And she’s got a voice to boot too!

Black Coffee then did his magic on two songs that didn’t have any lead vocals. The first did, however, feature background vocals (I think it is called My World). On the second one (it may be titled In The Garden, not too sure), I saw Black Coffee in the spirit, shouting, “Woza Baba“, in the build up to the drum solo section of the song.

The next performance was such a great surprise for everyone. Black Coffee brought the legendary B.O.P (Oskido and Bruce) on stage. I believe the track they did is another new Black Coffee track that is sure to heat up airwaves and clubs alike.

Bucie returned to sing another smash hit, Superman. The crowds went even crazier than before. She really knows how to rock the crowd.

The crowds went just as ballistic when another legend, Victor Ntoni, belted out Thetha Wathula Nje. It was something different, with Ntoni providing a sense of pride with the infusion of his traditional styled vocals.

The next song also didn’t have lead vocals. The background vocalists sang, with the help of the crowds as they screamed the words, Woo Woo Woza.

The last female vocalist for the night was Merissa Guzman, who sang Got To Go. She uttered before starting to belt it out, “I took 5 planes to get here.” Her vocals, as far as house music vocalists go, are incomparable.

Zano got the crowd eating out of the palm of his hands with the song Someday. He was the most lively and energetic performer up until that point. Towards the end of the song, Tumelo came back to join him as they battled it out. oh, big ups to Zano for providing the song titles with his Twitter commentary during the show

Black Coffee couldn’t have chosen a better performer to close the show in Zakes Bantwini. His stage presence, his charm, his moves that reminded me so much of James Brown, are unparalleled. He’s a true entertainer. Just before the end of Juju, he invited Black Coffee to the front for that infamous dance off they debuted at the Channel O Music Video Awards last year. The crowd went bananas! Before bidding farewell, they both sang the chorus of We Are One, which originally features Hugh Masekela.

The show was absolutely amazing! A beautiful spectacle of note. From the brilliant skills by the 24-piece KZNPRO orchestra to the vocal soloists (would have loved to see Malehloka brace the stage as well though), from Black Coffee‘s exceptional mixing skills to the overall entertainment, from the magnificent lighting to the perfectly tuned sound, it was truly a night to relish and remember. And I’ve got to mention that besides Black Coffee, I was mostly impressed by the percussionist who tirelessly and effortlessly gave us a sterling display of his skills.

I can’t wait for the DVD to come out in 2012, when I can re-live the phenomenal experience.

After Black Coffee‘s show, Vinny Da Vinci and Christos took to the decks, with DJ Strategy closing off the Vodacom Unlimited Festival. At this point I got some time to relax at one of the presidential suites. Those last few minutes of downtime were well worth all the running around the entire evening.

Big ups to Hummer Apparel for the threads I was knitted in for the day.

I’m with Franck Rogers in the first photo. And chiulling in one of the presidential suites in the second.

Ukhozi FM‘s Khetha Gwala and singer and television presenter Phila Mazibuko were two of the celbs I spotted.