Written By: Nadia Oualnan
French-Cameroonian artist James BKS is back with a new drop, “Na Na Benz,”. The track shines a light on the legendary Nana Benz, the Togolese women who basically ran the entire wax print industry across West Africa from the 1940s to the ’80s. These women weren’t just traders — they were powerhouses. They built empires, controlled the markets, and moved like CEOs way before the world even had a name for it. Their influence was so major that the Mercedes Benz nickname came from them. That’s iconic.
James brings their story into 2025 with a sound that grabs you from the first beat. He blends drill’s sharpness with the vibrant rhythms of Cameroonian bikutsi, creating a vibe that feels traditional and futuristic at the same time. With production from Roark Bailey (Playboi Carti, Kanye West, SAINt JHN), the track comes packed with heavy drums, deep bass, and vocals that feel like a chant — proper anthem energy.
Take it in above right now!