Benny Afroe – Biography, Real Name, Age and Career

Benny Afroe is a rising South African singer-songwriter, fashion influencer, and CEO of Rockstar Records. Known for his genre-blending style and smooth vocals, he has gained recognition with hit songs like Kill Me, Do It Right, and Hello Baby!. In addition to his music career, he is a brand ambassador for FashionNova, showcasing his interest in fashion.

Benny’s love for music began early in life, and his journey has seen him evolve into one of South Africa’s promising young talents. He has collaborated with several notable artists including DJ Qness, Bass Mdlongwa, Africasoul, Mrs Dippy, DJ Mlu, Slava, Manu WorldStar, Zingah, and King Monada. Despite his growing fame, Benny maintains a relatively private personal life, letting his music and artistic image speak for itself.

Profile Summary

Real Name	Benny Riba
Famously known as	Benny Afroe
Date of Birth	18 May, 1994
Place of Birth	Middleburg, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Gender	Male
Nationality	South Africa
Age	31 (in 2025)
Religion	Christianity
Sexual Orientation	Straight
Profession	Singer, songwriter, fashion model, social media influencer.
Relationship status	Dating
Girlfriend	Pabi Cooper
Benny Afroe’s Instagram	@bennyafroe

Early Life

Benny Afroe was born in Middleburg, Mpumalanga, South Africa, and later moved with his family to Burgersfort, Limpopo, at the age of 10. His journey in education reflects his shift from conventional paths to creative passion. He initially pursued a BCom Law degree but left after two years to follow his love for music.

In 2015, he enrolled at AFDA Johannesburg to study Live Performance, majoring in music. He successfully completed his studies and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Performing Arts in 2019. This academic foundation helped shape his musical talent and professional discipline in the entertainment industry.

Career Beginnings and Achievements

Benny Afroe is a young singer, songwriter, and social media personality who’s quickly gaining attention. He grew up surrounded by music, which shaped his passion from an early age. By the time he was 11, he had already started writing songs, and by 14, he was making his own beats. His biggest inspiration came from his dad, a bass guitarist who performed with several South African bands back in the ’90s. Like his father, Benny also knows how to play both the guitar and bass guitar.

His sound blends different styles—hip-hop, R&B, pop, trap soul, and Afro-fusion—all mixed into something fresh. Benny officially stepped into the music scene in 2017 with his debut single “Hello Baby!” A few years later, in 2021, he dropped his first EP, Yours Truly, which features eight tracks, including “Kill Me,” “Melody,” and “Nguwe.” Beyond music, Benny also has a strong interest in fashion. He’s even a brand ambassador for NovaMEN by FashionNova, one of the top fashion brands globally.

Although he comes from Limpopo, a province that’s not one of the main music hotspots in South Africa, Benny stands tall alongside other well-known artists from the area like Sho Madjozi, Master KG, and King Monada. He’s also a trained artist, having studied at AFDA, a school known for film and live performance. With his musical background and education, he’s built a strong foundation for his career.

Over the years, Benny has worked with big brands like Jägermeister, Diesel, Crocs, and PUMA. He also co-founded an event called Drip Sundays, which blends fashion and music. The event is popular among some of the biggest names in South African entertainment and takes place at venues like Urban Music Lounge and even at yacht parties.

Benny’s music is making waves, especially in the modern hip-hop scene. Some of his standout tracks include “This Feeling,” “Hello Baby!,” “DIAWA,” “Do It Right,” “You Know,” “Bad For Me,” “Grocery Store” (a track featuring Zoocci Coke Dope, Manu WorldStar, and Benny himself), “Yohh,” “Good Bye,” and “Nguwe.” Each song shows off his range and ability to mix different styles and moods.

One of his most loved tracks, “This Feeling,” has an upbeat rhythm and catchy lyrics that get people moving. “Hello Baby!” on the other hand, brings a smoother vibe and heartfelt vocals. “DIAWA” stands out too, thanks to its energy and powerful message. His 2021 EP “Yours Truly” pulled in a lot of attention, especially with tracks like “Share My Love” and “Nguwe,” which fans praised for their catchy tunes and emotional pull.

In addition to the EP, Benny has released more recent songs. One of them is “You Know,” a calm and thoughtful piece that’s doing well in the hip-hop space. Another one, “Heartbreak in Spain,” is a genre-blending track that shows Benny’s creativity and skill at mixing different sounds.

He’s also had some great collaborations. “This Feeling” with Ami Faku is a smooth and soulful hit that showcases their strong vocals and songwriting talent. It quickly became one of the most recognizable songs in the country. Another major collaboration, “DIAWA” with King Monada, brings an energetic club vibe, with Benny’s smooth delivery and King Monada’s unique style working perfectly together. “Bad For Me,” a duet with Elizee, is a touching love song about a complicated relationship. The emotional vocals from both artists have made it a favorite among fans and one of the top modern love songs in South African hip-hop.

Personal Life

Benny Afroe is currently in a relationship with fellow artist Pabi Cooper. The two worked together on the track “Do It Right,” which was released on February 11, 2022. While they haven’t shared how or when they first met, many people believe their relationship began sometime in late 2021. Over the years, Benny has dropped several songs that have helped him gain attention beyond South Africa. 

Songs

Albums

2018 – Jupiter, Vol 1

2021 – Yours Truly

Singles

2018 – Twenty-Five

2019 – Hello Baby!

2019 – Good Bye

2020 – This Feeling

2020 – Grocery Store

2020 – Diawa

2021 – Yohh

2021 – Share My Love

2022 – Heartbreak in Spain

2022 – You Know