French-Cameroonian artist and producer James BKS is back, joined by an extraordinary line-up of features, celebrating the Togolese women traders in a new song “Na Na Benz”, paying homage to their legacy as powerful independent ‘yaaya’ (women) who have powered economies, sell-by-sell at every West African market. It celebrates the Nana Benz, visionary entrepreneurs who transformed Dutch wax fabrics into a currency of influence that helped shape both commerce and society in West Africa from the 1940s to the 1980s.
“Na Na Benz” makes a statement, with James BKS’s production touch evident as it blends rhythm and storytelling in an appeal both fresh and familiar. The single embodies the power, resilience, and innovation of these women, whose entrepreneurialism has created legacies that still bear long after they’re gone. This includes more than a song, it’s a celebration of female agency, independence, and the world-changing power of culture.
The video accompaniment to the track, co-directed by James BKS and David Moerman, enhances this tale with contrasting visuals that position the Nana Benz as heroes of their own story. In every screenshot, the video highlights these pioneers’ creativity and cultural influence by bringing their stories to a new audience who might never have discovered their legacy. It’s a story that James BKS says he wished he had heard when he was younger, lending it a personal touch that makes it feel ultra-relevant and purposeful.
On “Na Na Benz,” James BKS doesn’t just release a new single, he introduces the world to some of the most recognised entrepreneurs who have inspired the past few years. It is a masterful, celebratory, and profoundly humane work, reminding us how history, culture, and music can converge to honor voices that demand to be heard.