Benza

In the pantheon of South Africa’s vibrant entertainment and urban culture scene, few have come to play as definitive a role in driving it forward as Benza. His track record - spanning over 15 years operating at the top tier of showbiz - is the model of consistency in an industry that has such a rapid turnover rate.

Since founding the boutique music entertainment agency Vth Season in 2011, Benza has gone on to assemble a formidable stable of artists and other talent, not least one of the continent’s most esteemed rappers, AKA and notably, award winning AfroSoul artist, Ami Faku

Benza’s journey to the top started when, as an eager nine-year-old in Liberia, he successfully planned and organised his older brother’s birthday party. During his formative years in Minnesota and Brooklyn, New York, he’d go on to display his ability for pulling the strings behind the scenes and over time establish a reputation as one of the key young voices working within urban culture and music. After solidifying his reputation in New York as the foremost curator of the African entertainment scene over the coming years, Benza migrated to South Africa.

As an independent Record Label’s and African Artist Management Agency Ninel’s work has been acknowledged in several notable awards from the South African Music Awards (SAMAs), MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs) as well as international award nods and nominations from the likes of the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards and MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs).

Thanks in part to his travels and his upbringing in different places around the world, there’s an open-mindedness and diversity inherent in the perspective with which he approaches business. His isn’t just a South African perspective, it’s a global one. And so it’s only fitting that he’s taking Africa to the world.