He’s young, fresh, musically trained, and an exceptional African talent on the cusp of taking on the music scene. Creating waves on the streets with his dress sense and music Benny Afroe is set to be SA’s next rock star.
Born Benny Riba from the small town of Middleburg, son of a bass guitarist, Benny grew up with music all around him and started creating his own music at the tender age of 10. With a degree in Performing Arts: Majoring in Music, he plays keys, guitar, and bass guitar and produces a unique and authentic sound never heard before. His music is a multi-layered blend of Hip Hop, RnB, Pop, and Afro-Fusion, with strong influences from genres such as Jazz, Soul, and Pop from the 80s and 90s.
He tells us more about his influences growing up and what we can expect from him in the future.
TELL US ABOUT HOW YOU GREW UP?
I was born in a small town called Middelburg in Mpumalanga and then later moved into another small town called Burgersfort in Limpopo when I was 10 years old. Growing up there was a lot of music around me, my father was a bass guitarist, and we’d listen to vinyl, and VHS cassette tapes of performances from a variety of artists like Brenda Fassie, The Supremes, The Manhattans, and more. I started writing music when I was about 11 years old and started producing music at age 14. Fast forward a few years later and at the age of 17 I started singing and making my own music until I graduated from AFDA in 2019.
HAS MUSIC ALWAYS BEEN YOUR PASSION?
I’ve always loved music and always knew that it was a big part of my life and who I am, but my parents didn’t want me to pursue it professionally. It was something they thought I would do on the side. When I finished matric, I studied Bcom Law for two years, and in my second year, I decided to leave it and study music instead. My focus was not on law at all. The more I tried to suppress my real passion, the more the urge followed me. The music just became a part of me. My academics started to suffer because my focus was elsewhere and that’s why I decided to put the law degree on hold and pursue the music degree instead.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR GENRE OF MUSIC?
I would like to describe myself as a genre-fluid musician. Growing up I was influenced by a whole lot of genres that I loved from different walks of life. I used to listen to Reggae music, the likes of Bob Marley, Lucky Dube and move to R&B and Soul from international artists like the O’Jays. Every time I make my music there are influences of these artists I grew up listening to, so it would be very unfair to say, for example, I only make R&B or Soul, whereas within my sound there are traces of other genres as well.
WHO WOULD YOU SAY INSPIRES YOU?
In music, I have a top three. Michael Jackson, Mike Dean, and Kanye West. With Michael Jackson, I admired his work ethic. He gave his music everything he had since he started as a young child. It’s the same with Kanye West. He is a visionary that breaks boundaries and does not conform to the standards set in place of how artists should be. These three people to me are creatives that have no limits and have created timeless records. Their art is deeply authentic and this is a level I aspire to reach one day.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR MUSIC RIGHT NOW, WHAT ARE YOU BUSY WITH?
I’ve just finished my 8-track project that will be released on 21 July 2021. In June it will be the pre-order period. I’ve been working on this for over a year with amazing artists and I’m excited to finally share this piece of work with people.
ANY COLLABORATIONS YOU WOULD LIKE IN THE FUTURE?
I’ve been fortunate to have some incredible artists that have collaborated with me on my current project. But internationally I would love to work with Wizkid, Davido, and some of the new afro-pop and afro-beats guys coming up. In South Africa, I would love to work with the likes of Zoe Modiga, the real creatives, and people who love music with a passion.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TRACK ON YOUR ALBUM?
My current single 'Yhoo' is definitely in my top two. I say this because the creation process of this single was very organic. I was taking a break while trying to put another song together and we decided to add another beat and that's when the words just came to me – that was how this track was born. I love making music where the process just flows and things fall into the right places organically.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE WORKING WITH AMI FAKU?
Ami and I have never seen each other as working people, or who’d work together in music. Her sound is quite different from mine but we’re fans of each other’s music. There was this one time we were listening to some beats from a producer called Lasti and we both liked one beat in particular. We decided instantly to make a song together, she’s very playful when working but when she hops on the mic she delivers something amazing every time.
Related article: 5 Minutes with Ami Faku
TELL US ABOUT YOUR STYLE
My fashion sense is linked to music. As I said, when I was growing up I used to look up to guys from the 80s and 90s, and along with their sound, I've always been intrigued by their fashion sense. It was unfamiliar to me and when I used to see them on TV, I wanted to not only sound like them but also look like them. It's safe to say my sound, style, and fashion sense are cohesive.
IF YOU HAD A SUPERPOWER WHAT WOULD IT BE?
If I had to choose a superpower it would be to make instant money and share it with people to end their suffering – and still make more. People in the world are struggling and it's so evident everywhere and in our faces. With the feeling of helplessness and defeat, people need a helping hand out there.
WHAT WOULD BE THE THEME SONG TO YOUR LIFE?
'One more time' – Daft Punk!
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING WITH YOUR FREE TIME?
I like doing adventurous things such as quad biking.
WHAT'S THE NUMBER ONE THING ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?
To win a Grammy – if not five, LOL!
IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF?
I want to reach a level of success where my music just speaks for itself. I want to be at a point where I know I make good music and people are happy to listen to it.
WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE AS YOUR LAST MEAL?
It would be anything sweet, such as tea and cake.
ANY WISE WORDS FOR UPCOMING MUSICIANS?
You’re not good enough until you’re good enough. The more you work on yourself the more confident you feel, so things become easier.
SA’S NEW WONDER KID: BENNY AFROE
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
June 11, 2021
Rating:
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
June 11, 2021
Rating:
