- During an interview featured on the SA Hip Hop Mag YouTube channel on Thursday, February 12, 2026, Benza discussed his financial commitment to one of AKA’s music videos
- Benza explained that the music video evolved from a romantic getaway for AKA and his then-girlfriend, Bonang Matheba, into an extensive production
- The financial outlay reportedly yielded three to four times its initial cost through streams, views, brand recognition, and enduring popularity
As fans reflect on the legacy of the late rapper and producer Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes on his anniversary of passing, the financial details surrounding one of his celebrated music videos have come to light, provided by his former business associate and Vth Season founder, Raphael Benza, widely known as Benza.
AKA’s innovative approach helped elevate South African music on the global stage. In the interview with SA Hip Hop Mag, Benza disclosed the investment made by Vth Season to produce the video for AKA’s popular track The World Is Yours, stating it was the highest expenditure for a hip-hop video in South Africa at that time.
Cost of AKA’s iconic music video revealed
Benza noted that the video, which originated as a romantic getaway for AKA and his then-partner, Bonang Matheba, had a total cost just exceeding a quarter of a million rands.
“’The World Is Yours’ video. Back then, I thought that was the biggest budget, which was R275,000. I think it was the biggest budget,” he told the magazine.
Benza expressed that spending such a sum on a music video was justifiable for him, as he connected with the song as soon as he heard it as a demo. He felt assured that their investment could be recovered because of his belief in the song’s potential for success.
“The first time I had the demo of The World Is Yours, I thought this is our song. We’re going to make back the R275,000. We’re going to make the money back because the song is that good. It has to have a video that looks as good as it,” Benza added.
Benza’s gamble paid off, as he estimates that The World Is Yours generated three to four times its cost through streams, views, brand visibility, and sustained popularity.
As of now, the video—debuted on AKA’s official YouTube channel on February 2, 2027—has garnered over 10 million views, specifically 10,870,610.
The video was directed by Alessio Bettocchi, AKA, and Prince Costinyo, filmed in Phuket, Thailand. Briefly News previously listed the song as number seven among 10 of the rapper’s best songs with videos.
To watch the complete video of Benza’s interview with SA Hip Hop Mag, click below:
